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By Mandy Millyard
An estimated 150 mainly young people marched in protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in Guildford town centre today (April 24).
Around 150 protested against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in the second ‘Kill The Bill’ protest in Guildford. Facemasks were generally worn.
The march route included the High Street and North Street. The police stopped traffic to allow the protesters to safely march.
The police accompanied the march, stopping traffic where necessary.
The marchers descending the High Street.
The crowd chanted “Kill The Bill” in reference to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill though other chants included, “All cops are bastards!”. There were placards referring to the murder of Sarah Everard and other protests including Black Lives Matter.
Jack and Emily outside Holy Trinity Church in the High Street said they were “keen to have a peaceful protest”.
Anger was directed at the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.
There was some support from onlookers
The march finished in a sit-down protest outside the Surrey Police Station on Woodbridge Road.
(See also ‘Kill The Bill’ – 100 Guildford Protesters March – MP Says Bill Will Stop Threats To Public Order)
Jim Allen
April 25, 2021 at 1:20 am
With pointless smashing of banks windows with hammer and chisels in London, the blocking of Picadilly and Westminster Bridge to ambulances, and the wanton destruction of public property in Bristol, how can anyone say this bill is not required is beyond me.
It would not be needed if people protested in a rational and controlled way.
Brian Matthews
April 25, 2021 at 10:36 am
Not sure where the 150 estimate comes from, there was far less than the last march which had an estimated 100 people, I would say this one was between 50-60 people, most of whom will be back to school on Monday.
Stuart Barnes
April 25, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Were there any grown ups there?
Sue Hackman
April 25, 2021 at 5:20 pm
But this demo was calm, well-managed and had a reasoned point to make. There are many ways for young people to pass a sunny Saturday, and they chose to tell us what they think about Westminster policy.
We need more, not less, engagement in national policy-making. I am inclined to find hope that the next generation is already thinking about justice, social order and how far we wish, as a democracy, to protect our right to express ourselves.
Sue Hackman is a Labour Party spokesperson
Matthew Smith
April 25, 2021 at 11:19 pm
Jim Allen should be aware that existing laws already prohibit violence and property damage. The new bill, however, goes much further and would outlaw any action that causes or could potentially cause “serious distress, serious annoyance, [or] serious inconvenience”. All very subjective.