A COALITION of environmental and social justice groups in Oxfordshire have described proposed reforms to policing protests as ‘draconian’. The Government announced plans last week to beef up police powers to tackle and disperse protests as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC), which critics have called a ‘direct attack on democracy’. It comes amid growing anger about violence against women and outrage at the way police handled attendees at a South London vigil at the weekend, following the death of Sarah Everard. Since then, protests around the controversial 300-page legislation have become part of the backlash in response to her death.
Anti-protest Bill attack on democracy say Oxford activists oxfordmail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from oxfordmail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Businesses call on MP to support climate bill );
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TWO business leaders are urging John Howell to back a proposed law to help tackle climate change.
Mark Cuddigan, chief executive of baby food manufacturer Ella’s Kitchen, of Rotherfield Greys, and Jonathan Hobbs, managing director of Hobbs of Henley, want the Henley MP to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill in Parliament.
They have signed an open letter as part of a campaign by the environmental group Greener Henley.
The private members’ Bill, which introduced to the House of Commons by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, would enshrine the UK’s commitments on climate change under the Paris Agreement into law.
XR protest bill Abingdon protest TWO demonstrations took place in Oxfordshire yesterday against a ‘grossly authoritarian’ bill that MPs will debate today. The Government has unveiled plans to hand the police more powers to tackle and disperse protests as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC), which many have warned is an ‘attack on our democracy’. Members of a number of environmental and social justice groups in the county came together in Abingdon to protest against the bill. Abingdon resident Jenny Hirst commented: “This bill is hugely concerning because it would completely undermine the right to protest peacefully.