Stop the Bill!
Here at October Books we’ve been horrified by the recently proposed ‘Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill’ which passed it’s first and second reading.
Among other things the proposed Bill:
-Threatens freedom of expression and assembly.
-Increases sentences and police powers aimed at restricting protestors.
-Criminalises the way of life of the Gypsy and Traveller communities and harms access to the countryside.
To read more about some of the harmful implications of the bill we recommend reading this Friends of the Earth statement.
We’re aware at October Books that many of the rights and privileges we enjoy today have come because of protestors that came before us. Protest is one of the few tools we have to campaign effectively for political and social change and an essential right in a free and fair society. We’re also aware that this bill effectively criminalises the way of life for an already hugely marginalised group of people.
October Books is extremely concerned about the restrictions to civil liberties and right to protest this bill proposes. We urge our community to act in whatever ways they feel able.
What can you do?
Sign petitions
Liberty
Friends of the Earth
Netpol
Parliamentary Petition: Do not restrict our rights to peaceful protest
Parliamentary Petition: Do not pass the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
Write to your MP or a Lord- it may have passed its first and second reading but we can still push for specific clauses in the bill to be deleted, press your MPs to push a Clause Stand Part debate.
There is a template email here and more information here.
Submit evidence for Legislative scrutiny: Police, crime, sentencing and courts bill
More information here.
Attend Protests (Aware this is a difficult one with current lockdown restrictions. However it is worth keeping an eye out for any local protests in your area.)
Submit questions or comments to political shows such as Question Time and Any Questions
Post on Social Media tweet your objections to the bill tagging your MP and using hashtags such as #RightToProtest #HumanRights #PoliceCrackdownBill #PolicingBill #PoliceBill #ProtestWorks #ReclaimTheStreets #ReclaimTheseStreets #killthebill
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However we are closed for Easter Bank Holiday Fri 2nd/ Sat 3rd/ Mon 5th April
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