Force makes first use of new powers under Public Order Act to curtail slow march protest outside parliament

Police have arrested more than 60 climate activists taking part in a slow march outside parliament in the first use of draconian new anti-protest powers.

The Metropolitan police used section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023, which bans any act “which interferes with the use or operation of any key national infrastructure in England and Wales”, to order an immediate end to a Just Stop Oil protest on Monday morning.

After forming a line and attempting to direct protesters off the road, police began making arrests, according to Just Stop Oil. Pictures and video circulated by the campaign showed officers kneeling on and handcuffing protesters, and carrying them into waiting police vans.

  • Mighty@lemmy.worldEnglish
    26·
    8 months ago

    Hm “Anti-Protest Power”… Now if that were any other country, it would be an outcry about democracy being destroyed… The right to protest might be one of the most important pillars of democracy… :/

    • metaStatic@kbin.social
      2·
      8 months ago

      Yes there was an outcry in Australia but that doesn’t do much to overturn these fascist laws.

      The only solution is to protest. if they’re not arresting you you’re not protesting anyway.

  • Blue and Orange@lemm.eeEnglish
    13·
    8 months ago

    Seems to me like the government of the day will abuse the shit out of these powers to shut down protests which don’t align with their agenda.

    • Ozymandias88@lemmy.worldEnglish
      16·
      8 months ago

      Isn’t she two generations removed from any oil business? If I was in her shoes I’d also want to use my inherited wealth for environmental causes.

      On top of that, if you read the article the police have also confirmed exactly the same story as just stop oil.