Violent scenes which marred a “Kill the Bill” protest in Bristol that saw a police station attacked, officers injured and vehicles set alight have been widely condemned.
Home Secretary Priti Patel branded the scenes “unacceptable” and said “thuggery and disorder” would never be tolerated.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who said he had “major concerns” about the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, condemned the thuggery but said the disorder would be used to justify the legislation.
Mass gatherings are currently banned under coronavirus legislation and anyone breaching the regulations could be fined.
Many who attended the protest on College Green were wearing face masks and carried placards, saying: “Say no to UK police state” and “Freedom to protest is fundamental to democracy” and “Kill the Bill”.
What started as a non-violent demonstration on Sunday afternoon turned violent after hundreds of protesters descended on the New Bridewell police station.
Nigel Farage also waded in with his thoughts on who was to blame for the scenes yesterday.
He Tweeted: “In Bristol tonight we see what the soft-headed approach to the anti-police BLM leads to. Wake up everyone, this is not about racial justice. These people want all-out anarchy and street violence.”
He bizarre claim that BLM protesters were behind the violence saw was called out on Twitter.
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“What’s #BristolProtest got to do with #BlackLivesMatter? It’s only because UK is institutionally racist that you ALWAYS get away with using RACIST rhetoric to deflect & distract WHILE YOU FAN THE VIOLENT FLAMES OF #WhiteSupremacy You are a disgusting waste of space Nigel Farage.”
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