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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Sophie Grubb & Imogen McGuckin

Squatters unfurl huge banners as they take over building in Bristol city centre

Squatters have unfurled huge banners from a building in Bristol city centre today (Saturday, May 1).

The group occupied a large property along High Street this afternoon, just next to the entrance to St Nicholas Market.

The message "criminalising shelter is state violence" was displayed at 1.30pm, following a protest at Castle Park organised by trade unions.

You can follow our live blog here as more protest action continues today.

More banners have since appeared, including one that read "we are squatters" and another stating "we are the homeless".

Squatters have occupied a building along Bristol High Street (John Myers/Bristol Live)

One man could be seen stood inside looking out from a window, with others appearing on the roof and another on a ledge outside of the building.

They appear to be taking action in support of the Kill the Bill movement, which is in opposition to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill proposed by the Government.

One person could be seen standing on a ledge on the outside of the building (John Myers/Bristol Live)

One of the controversial aspects of the Bill is that it will make trespassing with intent to reside a criminal offence, and give police powers to seize vehicles from travellers who are caught in breach of this.

A poster now on display outside the occupied building states: "This is a direct attack on GRT [Gypsy, Roma and Traveller] community and way of living.

"This is cultural cleansing."

It calls on people to "protect our right to reside".

The international squatters' symbol, a circle with a lightning-shaped arrow running through it, was also on display.

An 11th protest took place in Bristol today in opposition to the Bill, with about 100 people marching from Castle Park, also in support of workers' rights.

Just after midday, the group headed into the shopping district with placards and drums, proceeding down The Horsefair and past Cabot Circus.

The event wrapped up back at the park with a speech from Sheila Caffrey, president of Bristol Trades Union Council (TUC), in the gardens of St Peter's Church.

After the march, in what appeared to be a separate act of protest, squatters let down the banner from High Street.

Another Kill the Bill demonstration is expected to take place at College Green this evening, with a march expected to leave at College Green at around 6pm.

This weekend's protests follow a Kill the Bill event last Saturday (April 24) which took place entirely peacefully and was the 10th of its kind in the city.

More stories from Bristol:

Bristol Kill the Bill protesters march through city ahead of more action planned tonight

Moment ravers roar and charge at police in illegal party

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