More than 100 people join Eastbourne Kill the Bill protest

Scores of people joined a Kill the Bill protest in Eastbourne.
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More than 130 people joined the protest on May 1 against the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts bill, one of the organisers, Louise Walton from Eastbourne Stand Up To Racism said. There were protests across the country including Brighton and Hastings.

Louise added: “The march had a carnival atmosphere with protesters blowing whistles, joined by drummers and a man in a giant costume adorned with the Extinction Rebellion logo.

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“The march and rally were organised by a coalition of local organisations including Eastbourne Stand up to Racism, Eastbourne People’s Assembly and the local Trades Union Council.

The Eastbourne Kill the Bill protest. Photo: John HessThe Eastbourne Kill the Bill protest. Photo: John Hess
The Eastbourne Kill the Bill protest. Photo: John Hess

“We held a peaceful but deliberately noisy protest because “noise” is one of the criteria police can use to restrict future protests if this bill is passed.

“It was good to receive support from shoppers and there were lots of questions from members of the public who did not know what the protest was about.”

After marching through town chanting “kill the bill” and “defend the right to protest” marchers joined a rally on the Wish Tower slopes to hear a diverse range of speakers, she added.

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Speakers and poets referred to history citing the trade unions and suffragettes and the anti-poll tax movement as well as more contemporary movements like Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter, Louise said. Khaled, a young man from Tunisia, spoke of protest under dictatorship and how important it is for the rest of the world that countries like the UK retain democratic rights. The gathering was also entertained by musicians from the local band Lackadaisy.

Organisers have vowed to keep on protesting until the bill is scrapped, she added.

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