The British government wants to further restrict the right to demonstrate. Police should already be able to break up protests if they are expected to cause serious disruption to the public, as Downing Street announced on Tuesday night. “We cannot allow protests to be held by a small minority that disrupts people’s lives,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
According to the BBC, the project is mainly aimed at groups such as Extinction Rebellion or Just Stop Oil, which have repeatedly paralyzed traffic on motorways or in central London with blockades. Police leadership supported the project. On the other hand, human rights activists, activists and the opposition criticized the plans.
The government had already restricted the right to demonstrate last year and given the police more powers to disperse protests. After large protests by climate activists, the government is now planning new measures. Chaining or gluing as a form of protest will be prohibited in the future and will be punished.