Around 300 people joined a rally in Bangor this weekend to protect the right to peaceful protest and oppose the new bill being pushed through by the Westminster government.
Local civic society groups including Cymdeithas y Cymod, Extinction Rebellion Bangor and Divest Gwynedd gathered on Saturday to express concern that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would severely damage freedom and democracy in the UK, values that are fundamental to democratic society.
Ayeisha Hughes, of Llanberis, a disability assessor at Bangor University, said: “If this bill had been implemented 100 years ago, we wouldn’t have women’s suffrage, civil rights, or laws against child labour today.
“Even something as basic as weekends was won through protest! We helped spread the message about the bill that is being passed under our noses, which is so important. There is still time to put pressure on the House of Lords, who vote on the bill this week, to stop the worst parts of the bill from going through.”
The bill effectively criminalises the right to peaceful protest, which is a cornerstone principle across the world, that allows citizens the ability to hold those in power to account.
Any protest which is deemed “annoying” or “noisy” can be shut down, even if it is totally peaceful. Police would be able to detain anyone who they suspect might be carrying equipment for a protest, even harmless household items, and gives police powers to stop and search without suspicion.
Individuals can be banned from attending any kind of protest even if they have not committed a crime. Protesters claim it would increase the systematic racism and discrimination that is experienced by many, through measures to enhance stop and search and restrict the right to roam, precisely at a time when the UK Government should be working to address inequality.
Alison Shaw, a retired science teacher from Conwy, said: “This is not the path to a free and just society. This is the path to a crackdown on our centuries old rights of freedom of movement, expression and assembly. This is entirely incompatible with the UK’s self-image as a place of liberty.”
It was a crucial and successful protest with over 300 people from diverse causes, all concerned about the rights to peaceful protest gathering at Bangor Clock, and marching along High Street to the green at Storiel.
MP Hywel Williams spoke about the importance of protest in the Welsh language campaign, and the current government’s other legislation to erode human rights. Bangor Mayor Owen Hurcum spoke movingly about the importance of protest in gaining LGBT rights. Social distancing between household bubbles, and mask wearing was maintained by the march stewards.
Participant Heather Jones, a psychotherapist from Groeslon, said: “I felt very inspired by the speakers. People came together to show the importance of the right of having a voice. Several fantastic poets conveyed how vital our ability to protest remains for the protection of ourselves, our community and our earth.”
Alison added “Peaceful protest is part of a healthy democratic society. If we cannot protest peacefully, how else can we stand for the changes we need in society? Governments need to be questioned and criticised by citizens.”
