UK riot: Violent clashes with police 'shameful'

Violent clashes at a demonstration which saw police attacked and vehicles set alight have been condemned as "shameful" and "unacceptable".

Protesters clashed with officers as thousands turned out for the Kill the Bill march in Bristol on Sunday.

Twenty officers were injured - two seriously and one with a punctured lung. Seven people have been arrested.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said the scenes "made people dealing with inequality in the city less safe".

Avon and Somerset Police Chief Constable Andy Marsh said the protest had been "hijacked by extremists", by "people who were determined to commit criminal damage".

"There was a hardcore of serious criminals hidden within those 3,000 people - perhaps 400 or 500 people - and we certainly didn't trigger this," he said.

Crowds had gathered to peacefully protest in opposition to the new Police and Crime Bill but it went in a "violent direction" outside Bridewell Police Station at about 17:30 GMT, Mr Marsh said.

As angry scenes unfolded, demonstrators scaled the station, threw fireworks into the crowd and daubed graffiti on the walls.

Mr Marsh said: "Rest assured, by the end of today we will be releasing pictures of some of the people we want."

Riot over-night in UK city (Bristol).

It's not clear whether they're BLM or whatever but I would say that the police are losing the consent of the public and it's very dangerous.

I took a quick look at the bill the crowd was upset about. It seems to have some sensible provisions. But it also has some provisions that would greatly restrict the freedom to protest.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56400751

2 posted on 03/22/2021 5:01:41 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)

I noticed that too. I like the idea of noise limitations. I’d like to see bullhorns abolished. If you want to have a meeting with a PA, etc., you can rent a venue.

3 posted on 03/22/2021 5:08:34 AM PDT by cuban leaf (We killed our economy and damaged our culture. In 2021 we will pine for the salad days of 2020.)

This is the same department that stood there and watched while BLM tore down a statue and threw it in the river.

That police force deserved exactly what it got.

4 posted on 03/22/2021 6:23:51 AM PDT by nonliberal (Caput gerat lupinum)

Still one of my favorite Clash songs - “White Riot”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvG3is7Bm1w

5 posted on 03/22/2021 7:36:06 AM PDT by VanShuyten ("...that all the donkeys were dead. I know nothing as to the fate of the less valuable animals)

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