Hundreds of Bristol Live readers have expressed strong views about the fourth Kill the Bill protest set to take place this evening.
A range of opinions have been shared on Facebook, particularly in response to the news that buses will not be serving parts of the city centre for a 13-hour period due to the protest.
Demonstrators are expected to gather at College Green at 6pm for the fourth 'Kill the Bill' protest in Bristol in the space of nine days, in opposition to the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Riot police forcibly dispersed three protests last week, with violent clashes witnessed between protesters and officers.
Changes to coronavirus lockdown rules that came into force yesterday (Monday) mean protesting is now an exception to the ban on large gatherings.
However, this is on the condition that the organisers take precautions to protect against COVID-19, including drawing up a risk assessment.
Many readers expressed concerns about the potential impact the bus diversions will have on key workers, including NHS workers who need public transport to get to and from the city hospitals.
Writing on the Bristol Live Facebook page, one man wrote: "My wife works in the NHS at St Michael's, so has to leave early tonight and can't get to work tomorrow."
"Not again, we are just fed up with this," said another reader, with another adding: "Have they not made their point."
However, others spoke in support of the protest and voiced with concerns about the Bill and the impact it could have on future protests if it passes into law.
"Be angry at the right thing for once" commented one reader.
Another wrote: "I can't attend protests as I'm shielding but I support them.
"Buses are just being diverted not cancelled.
"The implications of this bill are permanent and horrendous for all of us".
