“Kill the Bill” Protests Rage Across Britain

Vigil for Sarah Everard (Flickr)

Thousands of Britons protested a new crime and policing bill on April 3. Rallies occurred in cities across the U.K., with some in London becoming violent as protesters clashed with the police. After rallying outside Parliament and blocking the road, London police arrested 20 protesters. The bill poses a threat to protesters as it allows detainment if protesters are deemed a nuisance, as well as implementing time limits on demonstrations. 

The bill was first proposed on March 9 and received a second reading on March 15 and 16. During the second reading, Members of Parliament voted in favor of the bill with a vote of 359 to 263. The bill mainly focuses on improving the ability of police to prevent crime, emphasizing the ability to deal with demonstrations. 

In the past month, the police have been under intense scrutiny from the British public. Following the arrest of a police officer in the killing of Sarah Everard, a woman murdered on her walk home in London, an unofficial vigil resulted in conflict with police as they attempted to break up the gathering. The criticism from both Sarah’s murder and the violence at the vigil has resulted in tension between the British public and the very group meant to protect them. 

As Parliament passed this bill, friction within the country only increased, culminating in the recent violent protests. The bill now goes to committee, at which stage experts and interest groups may weigh in. The committee will then report its findings and then the bill will be debated again. 

Opponents criticize the bill as a move toward authoritarianism and a clear violation of citizens’ right to protest. Within Parliament itself, the bill has faced additional pushback, such as the argument that the bill does not serve the role that legislators intended. Extending outside of the U.K, various human rights groups lambaste the possible democratic backslide caused by the bill. 

At a protest at Parliament Square, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MP Zarah Sultana cheered on the crowd. Sultana told protesters, “Power is with us, it’s with you, it’s with all of us … I know that because now I am in the so-called corridors of power, and they are scared of what we can achieve in the streets, they are so scared.” Protests are planned to continue across England and Wales.

With the continued debate within Parliament, the tension will continue. The “Kill the Bill” protests have proven particularly provoking, as “the bill” is the nickname for police in Britain. As the conflict between protesters and police comes to a head, violence will seemingly continue. If the bill passes, it may prove a threat to the success of the current government.