Policing Bill Sparks Fears of Increased Officer Violence Against Protesters

Female protesters have raised alarms that the policing bill will escalate officer violence towards them, warning that the legislation could embolden some police officers to be more misogynistic and racist. Campaigners argue that the bill was introduced against the backdrop of well-documented abuses of police powers and police violence against women. The policing bill has been widely criticized by campaign groups, with opponents warning that it cracks down on citizens' right to protest and exacerbates over-policing and the criminalization of marginalized communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The policing bill gives police more powers to shut down peaceful but "noisy" protests, keeping tabs on activists, and criminalizing them.
• Campaigners, including Silkie Carlo from Big Brother Watch, argue that the bill is a "protest crackdown bill" that can make almost any regular protest and demonstration illegal.
• Patsy Stevenson, whose photo went viral after her arrest at a vigil for Sarah Everard, says the policing bill removes citizens' "human rights" and "freedom of expression".
• The Police Bill Alliance, a coalition of over 350 organizations, branded the policing bill as "a dark day for democracy".
• Liberty, a human rights charity, labels the policing bill as "discriminatory and authoritarian".
• Police officers have been given the power to decide whether a protest is lawful or not, despite the fact that protesters are supposed to be disruptive and noisy.

Statistics:

• The policing bill has been widely criticized by over 350 organizations in the Police Bill Alliance.
• According to Silkie Carlo, the policing bill was introduced against the backdrop of well-documented abuses of police powers and police violence against women.
• Patsy Stevenson has launched legal action against the police for her arrest at a vigil for Sarah Everard.
• The Police Bill Alliance states that the bill is a "protest crackdown bill" that can make almost any regular protest and demonstration illegal.

Sources:

• Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch
• Patsy Stevenson, physics student and activist
• Police Bill Alliance
• Liberty, a human rights charity
• Andrea Simon, director of End Violence Against Women Coalition
• Cristel Amiss, a lifelong women's rights activist
• National Police Chiefs' Council
• Home Office spokesperson