Civil Society Groups Oppose New Police Powers to Ban Protests in England and Wales

More than 40 civil society organizations, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Greenpeace, and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, have united to oppose proposed amendments to the crime and policing bill in England and Wales. These amendments would grant police increased authority to impose conditions on protests by requiring them to consider the “cumulative impact” of repeated demonstrations in the same area. Critics argue that this represents a significant infringement on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

The Guardian

The coalition of groups, which also includes Amnesty International UK, Liberty, and the National Education Union, expressed concerns that the lack of specificity regarding the size of an “area” could lead to arbitrary restrictions on protests. They highlighted that police would not need to consider whether protests are for the same cause or involve the same participants. This could result in scenarios where an anti-racist march might be prohibited due to a prior farmers’ protest, or a pride march could be restricted following a far-right demonstration in the same locality.

The Guardian

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, criticized the government for not addressing its responsibilities under international law regarding Israel's actions in Gaza. He stated that instead of engaging with the core demands of protestors, the government is attempting to suppress dissent through increasingly stringent laws.

The Guardian

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the proposed police powers, citing concerns that large-scale demonstrations related to Gaza have caused “considerable fear” within the Jewish community, particularly following a recent terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester. The Home Office emphasized that the right to protest remains fundamental to democracy, asserting that the new powers would not ban protests but would aim to protect communities from repeated disruptions while still safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly.

The Guardian

The joint statement from civil society groups referenced historical movements, such as the civil rights movement and the campaign for women’s suffrage, which relied on the cumulative impact of sustained protests to effect change. Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, underscored the importance of vigilance in defending human rights and democratic norms, especially in the context of rising far-right sentiments in the UK and globally.

The Guardian

A Home Office spokesperson reiterated the importance of the right to protest, stating, “These new powers will not ban protests, but they will help protect communities from repeated disruption while protecting the right to peaceful protest.” Meanwhile, Lyle Barker from Liberty called for a halt to new anti-protest powers until a review of existing laws is conducted, emphasizing the need to safeguard the fundamental right to voice dissent.

The Guardian

Civil society groups have called on the government to abandon its proposed measures, arguing that they threaten the very foundation of democratic engagement. The coalition's joint statement highlighted the necessity of sustained protest movements in achieving social change, warning that the proposed legislation could stifle future activism.

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• “The right to protest – including in solidarity with the Palestinian people or in opposition to the policies and actions of the British government – is a precious democratic principle that is under the gravest threat and must be defended.” — Ben Jamal, Director, Palestine Solidarity Campaign

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• “ Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC, said: “Restrictions on the right to protest are a major concern for the trade union movement in this country.” — Paul Nowak, General Secretary, TUC

The Guardian

• “These new powers will not ban protests, but they will help protect communities from repeated disruption while protecting the right to peaceful protest.” — Home Office Spokesperson

The Guardian