Protests advocating for radical change within the criminal justice space continue across the globe. In Bristol, England, a number of police officers clashed with demonstrators following a protest in Southwest England. Taking place Sunday evening, the events left several vehicles damaged and others injured. Home Secretary Priti Patel alleged that the officers involved were victims of “thuggery” and chaos.“
“Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated,” she said.
“Our police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us all. My thoughts this evening are with those police officers injured.”
The unrest that took place on Tuesday emerged in response to a recent government bill that could severely limit street protests across the U.K. Under the direction of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, this bill could allow police to shut one-person protests, impose noise limits on demonstrations and enforce start and end times for protests. Citizens across the country worry that these measures will not only curb free speech, but they will also add to exasperate racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
“These unnecessary and discriminatory changes to sentencing and police powers will deepen existing racial inequalities, sweeping more Black, Asian and minority ethnic people into the criminal justice system for increasing periods of their lives,” Nina Champion of the Criminal Justice Alliance said.
Despite opposition from voters across the country, it appears that the bill has the support of the government and will pass sooner rather than later.
Sorry what has BLM got to do with the scenes in Bristol today? https://t.co/saWFX7d6D1
— Alex Beresford (@alexberesfordTV) March 21, 2021
