Who Do You Protect? We Are Peaceful, What Are The Police?
The chants and cries are still ringing in many of our ears from the events of Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. Our bodies exhausted from the hours upon hours of protest. Face offs with the riot police from the afternoon until the early hours of the morning. The people of Bristol have an unparalleled determination.
What the media have continuously failed to cover is the sheer violence and army-like tactics brought on by the police. Countless reports and articles sharing police statements and false accounts of protesters ‘thug’ behaviour; however, the reality is much different.
Sundays Kill the Bill protest was perhaps the first display of spontaneous action, where the masses gathered on college green as a show of solidarity, beginning the day without conflict. The march continued on to castle park where crowds occupied the road, mostly seated, listening to speakers on the megaphone, simmering energy pervading the streets. As the hours went by, the demonstration had moved towards the police station and by about 5:30 the police had stormed in. Chants of ‘Kill the Bill’ flooded the air as they attempted to block the crowds from moving further. It was clear the police had come with the intention to agitate and oppress. Within 10 minutes the police horses had descended upon the people, with one of the officers on horseback visibly smiling whilst waving his baton in the air. The hostility had been ignited – and not by the people. Many watched with fear, as what had begun as peaceful yet strong willed determination to demonstrate our fundamental rights had erupted into barbarity at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and serve the public. These mounted police, dogs with very little control from the handlers, and riot-ready officers kettled the people, threatening and forcing the crowds back who were simply occupying the street. It’s almost impossible for people to stay calm and collected in situations of imminent threat. The class disparity was blatant.
Following the eruption of Sunday, another demonstration was organised to oppose the Anti-Trespass Bill. The numbers seemed significantly lower – yet this is where I encountered the most striking display of violence.
On college green again, folk had set up tents and sat in socially distanced groups with music, poetry, speakers and the focus remained on peaceful protest. Hours went by and the message had not changed. It was clear the intention was to occupy the Green to show solidarity with the people most affected by this bill – the traveller community, houseless people, squatters – those who wanted to defend their right to roam. Various speakers proclaimed to the gathering that the intention was to be as clear as possible for the demonstration to remain without conflict, largely to minimise any potential for police to act with brutality again. Despite all of the efforts made by the people to prevent harm, this was about to change.
As the day drew to a close, there were multiple alarms from the crowd that police may be drawing in. People chanted ‘peaceful protest’ incessantly, making sure to await any belligerent presence without friction. What happened next was something I can only call a barbarity. Presumably tactically, as soon as it became dark the riot police swarmed. This time, heavily outnumbering the protesters. They circled the crowd, blocking off any exits. They trampled the vigil for Sarah Everard. Armed to the extreme, the riot police marched unconcerned into the people who were sat on the ground, linking arms. Many were young girls. Earlier that day families were gathered on the green – some with children. Shields were used to strike repeatedly, aiming for people’s heads. The officers ploughed through, despite repeated cries of ‘peaceful protest, peaceful protest, peaceful protest’. Young girls knocked unconscious; people being kicked whilst on the ground, the scene was vicious. These dispersal tactics were totally shameless and cruel. The faceless force continued to drag, beat, and push crowds until they chased and sectioned off a portion of the protesters onto Deanery Road where the peaceful action continued into the very early hours. The experience was physically draining, but people remained resolute. The somewhat 30 people who remained on the street were eventually stampeded multiple times, with journalists getting beaten and pushed, hospitalised protesters mauled by dogs and violent arrests made. There was truly a sense of unwavering resistance as people pushed for what they felt was right. To protect and stand in solidarity with the masses under attack because of the Bills.
Friday’s Kill the Bill protest garnered what seemed like thousands. The turnout was immense and the people of Bristol marched the streets for hours and hours after meeting at College Green. One person was seen to be cornered by police after being told that their sign which read ‘Fuck Priti Patel’ was ‘antisocial’. The unity on the streets was colossal, marching up and back down Park Street shouting for justice. As always, the intentions of the people were not to cause violence.
Finally, crowds moved down to Bridewell Street where everybody once again sat to demonstrate resistance. This time felt like a waiting game, long and arduous. Police in heavy riot gear stood in a line, as time went on more and more showed up. The horses were out. The dogs were out. Once again, the police had come with intentions of putting out a riot that was never going to happen. Instead, they used their army tactics to incite aggression and as the night went on attempts were made to kettle and split the crowd into smaller groups, presumably to make it easier to attack protesters individually. People were getting pepper sprayed and chased, videos circulating of people beaten whilst on the ground, total carnage followed the protesters late into the night. By this point, the methods of the police are veering towards authoritarianism.
Days of unrest have been spreading through our streets. OUR streets. Each time, met with increasing violence and fear tactics. Each time the public grow a greater mistrust for the police. The ardent chants of ‘Who do you protect? Not us.’, and ‘We’re not violent, what are you?’ have never rung truer.
Written by Sasha Fowler
My name is Sasha, I’m a 21 year old artist and student based in Bristol, pronouns she/her.
Opinion
