Hundreds march through Sheffield streets in third ‘Kill the Bill’ protest

Hundreds of people took part in another ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstration on Saturday afternoon, with activists gathering at Devonshire Green in Sheffield before marching around the city centre holding placards and signs.

Protestors wearing masks passed by the Winter Gardens and briefly stopped outside the Crucible, which hosted the World Snooker Championships this weekend.

The gathering at Devonshire Green was one of many taking place around the country, against what is seen as a Government crackdown on the right to protest.

Police made pleas with protesters as the rally clashed with a period of silence for The Duke of Edinburgh as he was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon.

It is the third Kill the Bill march to take place in Sheffield in recent weeks as crowds gathered to demonstrate against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The Bill contains a number of sentencing reforms, such as stopping the automatic early release of offenders deemed to pose a danger to members of the public mid-way through their sentences.

The proposed bill would also enable police forces in England and Wales to receive more powers to impose conditions on non-violent protests – including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or jail terms.

Sheffield Against The Policing Bill tweeted from their account, saying: “We must continue to stand up and make our voices heard in opposition to increased police powers, in opposition to GRT racism, in opposition to an increased carceral state. Stand up this Saturday along with hundreds of thousands of other people across the country. 1 pm, Dev Green.”

The demonstration was attended by a variety of different groups, including the South Yorkshire branch of the Communist Party of Britain and many others.

Phil Cosgrove of the South Yorkshire branch of the Communist Party of Britain said: “The South Yorkshire Branch of the Communist Party of Britain attended its second consecutive Saturday in protest against the ‘Police, crime, sentencing and courts, Bill 2021.

“To see numbers grow from the previous Saturday was encouraging to see, and we was also pleased to see it remained a peaceful protest. Unlike other cities where police brutality has become the norm.

“Our message is clear it’s a union issue, the ‘Bill’ reminds us of the Poll Tax. Trade unions and activists are clear the struggle to picket and protest, to assemble, and speak freely have been won and lost. Now the unions must follow the lead of the youth and exert every pressure they can to have this draconian Bill withdrawn. It does not have the assent of the people, and it should be binned.

“Our right to protest is one of the most important freedoms we have, one of the few democratic rights that apply to us all equally. Our free speech is in numbers, our free speech is in unity, our free speech is on the streets.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.