Campaigner calls for stronger protest freedoms as Bristol marks five years since "Kill the Bill" riot
Five years on from the riot, campaigners push for renewed protest freedoms
As Bristol marks five years since the "Kill the Bill" riot, campaigners are advocating for expanded protest freedoms across the country.
The initial demonstration on 21st March 2021 began as a peaceful march through the center of Bristol, drawing thousands of participants.
However, tensions rose outside Bridewell Police Station as darkness fell, leading to confrontations between protesters and riot police, with projectiles being thrown and police vehicles set ablaze.
Avon and Somerset Police reported multiple officers injured during the unrest and more than 40 people were sentenced for their part in the violence.
Five years later and campaigners across the UK are continuing to protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and call for stronger protest freedoms.
Campaigner Heidi Gedge, from Bristol, said: "We’ve been a nation of protesters going back to the women’s suffragette movement and the vote.
"We need to have that right we need to be able to protest.
"I will always protest for everything I believe in because we need for people to start feeling comfortable and happy about protesting again."
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. However, it's crucial that police have the appropriate powers to balance this against the need to protect communities from repeated disruption.”