The UK Government’s plan to ban face coverings at protests

What’s happening?

Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill is threatening to ban face coverings at protests. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Rishi Sunak’s government tried to introduce the same thing last year.

In recent years, we’ve seen successive governments bring in a wave of anti-protest laws that are shutting down ways we can speak up. From banning ‘noisy’ protests to vague locking-on laws, police now have almost-unlimited powers to crack down on protests and arrest demonstrators.

And now, Labour is going one step further.

If the Bill is passed, it will become a criminal offence to wear a face covering at designated protests, and police will have the power to arrest or fine anyone breaching this condition.

This isn’t needed. Police already have far-reaching powers when it comes to protests, including the ability to require people to remove items if they believe they’re being used to hide their identity.

Who will this impact?

This law will infringe on everybody’s right to decide how we protect ourselves and our privacy when protesting.

Some of us wear face masks to protect ourselves, other demonstrators, or loved ones we later return home to, from infection. This ban will particularly impact disabled people – who we have recently seen protesting the Government’s welfare cuts – and those who are clinically vulnerable.

Some of us cover our faces to protect our privacy. Those of us who speak out against the actions of other States might wear face masks to protect ourselves and our loved ones living in those countries from repercussions.

Some of us cover up to protect ourselves, families and friends from creepy and dangerous police facial recognition tech at protests.

And some of us wear face coverings for religious and cultural reasons, such as people who wear the niqab.

Plans to make face coverings at some protests unlawful will leave people with the false choice between putting themselves and their loved ones in harm’s way or staying silent on issues of great importance. It’s yet another way for the Government to suppress our fundamental right to protest.

What are we calling for?

When those in power won’t listen, we must make ourselves heard. From votes for women to Pride, the UK has a rich history of protests that have driven positive change in society.

Eighty-six per cent of people believe everyone has the right to voice their opinion and raise awareness of issues. The Crime and Policing Bill will strip this right away from those who can only protest safely with a face covering.

We’re calling on the Government to scrap this dangerous plan from their Bill and uphold everyone’s fundamental right to protest.