Yesterday around 30 people in Abingdon, and countless around the country, protested the new “Police, crime, sentencing and courts” bill. Amongst other things this bill severely limits the right to protest. Effectively allowing police to claim a protest is illegal, even just because there’s a possibility it MIGHT annoy someone. This would then be punishable by 10 years in prison. This of course follows the widespread brutality of police against mourners over the weekend. Of which the shocking pictures and footage have flooded the news and social media. Regardless of your political beliefs, this is an assault on our right to protest, our human rights, and democracy. Especially against young people who can’t vote, and marginalised groups who are already disproportionately targeted by police. In Abingdon there were 2 protests, at 12pm and at 5pm. Each lasting between an hour and 2 hours. At 12pm there was joyous drum music echoing around the market for much of it, at 5pm there were some speaking, some chanting and singing, and some simply being there to make ourselves clear. #killthebill Thank you to everyone who came or messaged to express solidarity, everyone who was willing to speak to hear our message, and everyone who supported in any way. Sorry to the passer by, Bill, who did not want to be killed. Due care was taken with physical distancing, hand sanitizer was available, and masks were warn by all directly participating. The Abingdon call was made by, in alphabetical order: Abingdon Black Lives Matter, Abingdon Queer Action, CEE Bill Alliance Oxfordshire, Oxford Youth Strike – UKSCN, Reading IWW, Travellers Against Fascism, XR Abingdon This statement written by Abingdon Queer Action, read by Abingdon BLM, Oxford Youth Strike, Travellers Against Fascism
Originally Posted 16/03/2021