Take action to Stop the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill |
Dear friend
Stop the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
You may have already seen news of the draconian new Bill passing through Parliament cracking down on our right to protest, and the nationwide demonstrations opposing it.
The new draft law, designed in response to non-violent direct actions by groups like Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter, would force demonstrators to seek police permission for a protest, and give the police powers to impose restrictions or ban protests based on lowered thresholds around risk of noise or disruption. Severe new penalties are proposed including a maximum of 10 years in prison, meaning you could receive a tougher sentence for tearing down a statue than for attacking a human.
Increasing police powers is especially concerning at a time when prosecutors take the unprecedented step of reviewing all police charges given under COVID-19 legislation; when black people in England and Wales are 40 times more likely to be stopped and searched by police, and a disproportionate number of black people die in police custody.
Protests are by their nature disruptive. The more disruptive, the more effective they are in raising the alarm on social injustice - such as arms fairs selling deadly weapons, or the role of arms companies in fuelling conflict. Protest is a safety valve for democracy, and we must fight to protect it.
The Bill also plans a crackdown on encampments for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, giving police the power to seize people’s homes - effectively criminalising their way of life.
Take action now to Kill The Bill.
Thanks to sustained and widespread protest, the Bill was paused at ‘Committee stage’. We must take action now to build pressure on Parliament, and stop the bill from becoming law.
This Saturday is a National Day of Action to Kill the Bill. Whether you sign and share a petition, write to your MP, or feel the urge to join one of the demos happening all over the UK, take action this weekend to stop this regressive law.
Thank you, as always, for your support for CAAT’s work.
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In solidarity
Caroline
Public Campaigns Coordinator
Campaign Against Arms Trade