Hundreds peacefully march and chant outside Bridewell Police Station to mark Kill the Bill riot anniversary

Traffic was disrupted in and around the centre for several hours due to the protest
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Hundreds of protestors gathered and marched through Bristol’s city centre this evening (March 21) to mark the second anniversary of the Kill the Bill riots and show solidarity for those who were arrested after violent clashes broke out in 2021.

Traffic was disrupted in and around the centre for several hours as dozens began to slowly gather in The Bearpit after 5.30pm. Many who attended wore face coverings as a large police presence observed the crowd. A speech was given from The Bearpit calling for peaceful protest, coalition and rejecting the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which sparked the initial protest two years ago.

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The crowd was escorted from The Bearpit towards Bridewell Station, where much of the clashes in the previous protest occurred. Chants of “no justice, no peace” and “our passion for our freedom is stronger than your prisons” echoed around the station once the demonstration came to a halt outside its doors. Several speeches were read out at this stage - with almost all taking aim at Avon and Somerset Police’s handling of the events which unfolded in 2021.

Speakers from groups such as Bristol Industrial Workers and Bristol Copwatch were read to the crowd as well as speeches from Jasmine York, who was jailed for her involvement in the 2021 clashes and Heidi Gedge whose daughter, Mariella was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for her part in the same event.

The demonstration was once again on the move towards the activist hub, People’s Republic of Stokes Croft headquarters. Here, protestors were able to warm up with a hot cup of tea - marking the end of the demonstration.

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