UK pushing new law that could prevent protests

The UK government is discussing a bill to give the police and ministers new powers that could potentially limit the ability of citizens to protest.
The legislation is being discussed in Parliament this week, just days after officers from London’s Metropolitan Police physically restrained attendees who protested the death of Sarah Everard. The vigil had been declared unlawful due to coronavirus restrictions and the main London force tussled with some protesters.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021 covers a range of issues and will be discussed at the House of Commons as its second reading on Tuesday. The bill proposes new conditions on “one-person protests,” which would authorize security agencies to end the demonstration of a single person if the protests constitute a nuisance in the area it is being held.
That, the bill states, might include an act that “obstructs the public or a section of the public in the exercise or enjoyment of a right that may be exercised or enjoyed by the public at large.”
Sarah Everard went missing on March 3 after leaving a friend’s house in the evening. Her body was found almost two weeks later, and though an investigation was ordered into the policing of the vigil, there’s the general public outcry over the violence, harassment and intimidation that women face, including at the hands of police.
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered to protest around where she had been last seen, both to grieve and highlight the treatment of women. As the demonstration carried on, arguments broke out with police, who were demanding that attendees disperse due to coronavirus restrictions. Later, officers were filmed and photographed physically dragging people away and into police vans.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Gov Lawal dares Zamfara officeholders complaining about benefits to resign
Mr Lawal spoke following complaints from various stakeholders, alleging a lack of welfare under the Dauda-led administration.

NationWide
Ex-lawmaker urges Tinubu govt to focus reforms on jobs, food security
Mr Egoh said policies should enable small and medium enterprises to expand, describing them as key contributors to employment.

Education
WAEC appoints Kum, new Head, Nigeria National Office
Mr Kum succeeds Amos Josiah Dangut, the immediate past head of the national office (HNO), now the council’s registrar.

Sport
Super Sand Eagles coach highlights benefits of Senegal friendlies
Nigeria lost 4-6 to Senegal in the first friendly played on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer pitch, Kaduna.

Politics
IPAC urges sustained govt-party dialogue to address Nigeria’s challenges
Ms Akinade, however, said the success of the reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on Nigerians’ daily lives.

States
Lagos consumers raise alarm over discoloured yam tubers
They noted the discolouration of the yams, which is discovered only after cutting them open.





