Streets of shame

Let’s be very clear about this: the Police and Crime Bill is an authoritarian measure by an authoritarian government which wishes to undermine the freedom to protest and award the police sweeping and draconian powers to enforce it. Now we’ve got that out of the way, we move to the shameful scenes in Bristol tonight where violent thugs went on the rampage following a so-called protest. Several police officers have been injured, some seriously, the police station was attacked, a van set fire to and fireworks thrown into the crowd. Unless you are some kind of unhinged anarchist lunatic, like those in attendance today, you should, as a Bristolian be appalled at this turn of events.

Given we are in the midst of a deadly pandemic, which has killed close to 150,000 people, and infection numbers are still high, the police understandably told people to stay away. But they didn’t stay away. They turned up in large numbers, demonstrating in front of next to no one and then shamed their city by attacking those who were trying to keep the peace. It’s disgusting.

Who are these people? They don’t look like anyone I know. More people I know are opposed to the Police and Crime Bill than support it, but I wager not one of them supports this thuggery. But not one person I know would behave like these utter scumbags have done. I’d be very surprised if many of them actually come from Bristol.

This just plays into the hands of our right wing government in general and the evil Priti Patel who will see it as a golden opportunity to attack more of our freedoms. Those of us who oppose the government’s aims must condemn this thuggery and instead support peaceful protest. We win by argument and debate, not through violence and thuggery.

I am no hanger and flogger but I do hope that the police arrest as many of the perpetrators as possible and the courts throw the book at them. The BBC tonight refers to “protestors” smashing the police station and setting fire to a police van. No. They are criminals. Pure and simple.