Weymouth's peaceful 'Kill the Bill protest
People from Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester gathered at the King's Statue as part of a nationwide protest against the Police and Crime sentencing Bill
Last updated 3rd Apr 2021
Over 200 people marched through Weymouth town in a bid to 'kill the Bill'.
It's part of a national day of action that saw groups across the country gather in solidarity against the Bill - that could see protests made illegal.
The existing public order legislation could be changed to give police greater powers to stop protests and shut them down.
Dorset Protestors met at the King's Statue at 1pm and walked down the Esplanade to Kings street and through to Commercial Road.
Dorset Police were in attendance with two Community Liaison officers present.
Colour was added to the protest with speakers from Dorset Trader Unions Council, Stand Up To Racism Dorset, Weymouth Animal Rights, Black Lives Matter, Unite and Extinction Rebellion.
Jenny Lennon-Wood from Dorset Trades Union Council said: “The government has exploited key workers, putting their lives at risk throughout the pandemic. The “reward” is an attack on their jobs and pay – renewed austerity to make workers pay for the Covid crisis while the chumocracy continues to pour public funds into the pockets of the super-rich. Now the Police and Crimes Bill aims to rob us all of our right to protest against the injustices of poverty pay, insecure jobs and discrimination in workplaces and all aspects of our daily lives. Dorset Trades Union Council says a resounding NO to this undemocratic assault on our democracy!”
Lynne Hubbard from Stand up To Racism Dorset said: “The government wants to criminalise people who protest against racism – like those who’ve joined demonstrations called by the Black Lives Matter movement. The Home Secretary described these as ‘dreadful’. What’s dreadful is the attack on our rights and on all those who want to see social justice.”