Kill the Bill riot anniversary demonstration passes peacefully
Nearly 200 people gathered in Bristol to mark the anniversary of riots in the city
A demonstration to mark two years since a Kill the Bill protest turned into rioting in Bristol has passed off peacefully.
Around 200 people marched on Bridewell police station to commemorate the disorder that saw violent clashes with Avon and Somerset Police officers on the evening of March 21 2021.
What began as a peaceful vigil for Sarah Everard on College Green that afternoon turned violent after crowds marched to the police station to protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
The police station was attacked and Avon and Somerset Police vehicles were set alight.
More than 30 people have since been sentenced for their roles in the rioting and have received prison sentences totalling nearly 100 years.
The coalition of groups, including Bristol Defendant Solidarity, met at the Bearpit and marched the short distance to the police station.
Several uniformed police officers were on duty keeping a discreet distance from the march.
Braving the drizzle, they chanted "No justice, no peace", "Whose streets, our streets" and "Free the prisoners" as well as several anti-police slogans.
We spoke to some demonstrators who said the police started the violence in 2021, adding that those jailed in connection with that night, should be freed.
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police says "We reject any suggestion we did not facilitate peaceful demonstrations on the day of the riot. Our officers faced real violence and hostility as they put themselves on the line to keep the public safe and restore order, as a minority of people engaged in wanton violence, damage and disorder."