Dozens of ‘Kill the Bill’ protesters gathered in Newcastle city centre for another day of action against the Government’s controversial new crime bill.
Demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday afternoon to noisily show their opposition to the proposed new police powers and laws.
The Newcastle event was one of several taking place across the country, prompted by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
The controversial legislation would give police and the Home Secretary increased powers to stop protests.
It proposes to give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those which are deemed too noisy or a nuisance.
The group initially gathered at Monument at around 1pm, with a number of demonstrators invited to speak.
One was met with cheers and applause as he said: “The ability to protest gives us, the individual, the chance to keep the people in power in check.
“To get rid of that right seems wrong - that’s why we’re here today.”
Protestors then made their way up Northumberland Street to Newcastle Civic Centre, chanting "Kill the Bill" and "Whose streets? Our Streets" as they marched through the city.
Among those who attended was Vanessa Cope, who said: “The bills give the police tremendous amounts of power.
“Protests are meant to be a nuisance, they’re meant to be noticed.
“I hope the momentum will continue and we can squash these bills.”
Another demonstrator, Marco Olivier, said: “The right to protest is central for any democracy. The bills they’re trying to pass are damaging to our society
“I have seen a lot of police brutality and it’s scary to know that the police are going to get more power.”
Under the proposed legislation, anyone refusing to follow police directions about a protest could be fined up to £2,500.
Demonstrators see this as an attack on the right to protest.
The controversial bill also looks to increase the maximum penalty for criminal damage of less than £5,000 to a memorial from three months to 10 years' imprisonment, the same maximum sentence for non-sexual child abuse.
A 'Kill the Bill' protest was also staged earlier this month at the Monument in Newcastle in which hundreds of people took part. The event passed peacefully.
