Hundreds protest in London against Public Order Act

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Hundreds of activists on Saturday held a demonstration against the government’s Public Order Act 2023.

Protesters gathered at Parliament Square as part of the demonstration, led by the environmental NGO Just Stop Oil and the anti-monarchy group Republic.

Among the attendees were activists from Stand Up To Racism, Insulate Britain, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), socialists groups and Gypsy Traveller League.

Speaking at the event on behalf of Just Stop Oil, Kush Naker, a protester, criticized the act, saying it has criminalized “peaceful protests.”

"We, Just Stop Oil protesters are here today, because our democracy is under threat," he said.

Referring to arrests during the coronation of Britain's King Charles III on May 6, Naker said 19 Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested that day.

"Our democracy is under threat by the Public Order Act of 2023," he opined and said the act has been used by the police on coronation day to "indiscriminately arrest" them and prevent them from being able to protest.

- 'Deeply troubling’

Graham Smith, the chief executive of the Republic group, said that the new act has limited people's fundamental right to protest.

"The bill has removed our right to protest, now we have the freedom to protest contingent on permission, and that is a disgrace," he said.

Referring to the coronation day arrests, Smith said they were arrested "in the name of the king."

"What is the point of a monarchy, what is the point of a head of state if they will not defend our liberties and our constitution," he said.

The crowd later marched to Downing Street while chanting the slogan "no justice, no peace."

Meanwhile, Gypsy Traveller League carried a coffin to raise awareness about the rights of Gypsies and Travellers. They left the coffin outside the Prime Minister's Office and handed a letter to the office.

The UN human rights office termed the bill "deeply troubling” and “wholly unnecessary," saying it "imposes serious and undue restrictions … that are neither necessary nor proportionate."

Amnesty International pointed out that it gives authorities “yet more draconian powers” to restrict people’s fundamental right to peaceful protest.

The British government contends the law aims to protect the public and businesses from "unacceptable actions."

It said the measures outlined are necessary "to bolster the police’s powers to respond more effectively to disruptive and dangerous protests."