Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #PolicingBill
Most recents (24)
1/ A word of warning. It doesn’t matter on which side of the fence you sit - left or right - everyone living in the UK should be concerned right now. Current government have already removed our right to peacefully protest. Now they want to remove our #HumanRights 🧵
2/ The European Convention on Human Rights (#ECHR) are international laws which protect us all.
They protect our right to freedom; our right to marry; our right not to be tortured, and more..
They protect our right to freedom; our right to marry; our right not to be tortured, and more..
3/ Do not be fooled. The European Convention on Human Rights has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with being a part, or not a part, of Europe. Do not let this government convince you otherwise. 
1/. Around the world - from Russia to Sri Lanka, France to Senegal, Iran to Nicaragua - our right to protest is under attack
In the UK the introduction of the #PolicingBill has shown how swiftly hard fought freedoms can be stripped away
#ProtectTheProtest
In the UK the introduction of the #PolicingBill has shown how swiftly hard fought freedoms can be stripped away
#ProtectTheProtest
2/. Q: How did these unarmed women in Belarus strike fear into a bunch of secret policemen?
A: They pulled off their balaclavas
LESSON: Tyranny thrives in secrecy
By coming together, we can strip off the masks & reveal the truth
It’s what they fear
A: They pulled off their balaclavas
LESSON: Tyranny thrives in secrecy
By coming together, we can strip off the masks & reveal the truth
It’s what they fear
3/. “Our deepest fear isn’t that we are weak. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”
I’ve been privileged to be part of movements that have harnessed the power of protest
In South Africa, the protest could made the country ungovernable
I’ve been privileged to be part of movements that have harnessed the power of protest
In South Africa, the protest could made the country ungovernable
1/. “I’m not really bumbling. I’m as hard as nails”
In this interview, #BorisJohnson shows that the “bumbling Boris” character is just that: a character
“My approach to politics & human nature is that you can make a good case for anything” #BorisResigns
In this interview, #BorisJohnson shows that the “bumbling Boris” character is just that: a character
“My approach to politics & human nature is that you can make a good case for anything” #BorisResigns
2/. “#BorisJohnson put on a buffoon mask to become a celebrity, & now he can’t take it off.”
(J Lanchester)
“He seems to know that if we’re chuckling at him, we’re not likely to be thinking hard about his agenda, or doing anything to counter it.”
(J Coe)
(J Lanchester)
“He seems to know that if we’re chuckling at him, we’re not likely to be thinking hard about his agenda, or doing anything to counter it.”
(J Coe)
3/. In 2020, I dug up #BorisJohnso’s #TakeItOnTheChin
I also found the smoking gun of the #HerdImmunityScandal - the #GreenwichSpeech
“There’s a risk new diseases such as #coronavirus could trigger a panic that goes beyond what is medically rational”
I also found the smoking gun of the #HerdImmunityScandal - the #GreenwichSpeech
“There’s a risk new diseases such as #coronavirus could trigger a panic that goes beyond what is medically rational”
Second Reading of the Public Order Bill has started! Follow along here — for at least some of it. (I’ll be taking a break sometime between 6pm and 7pm.)
A thread…
A thread…
The Minister is setting out the Public Order Bill. As this is a Home Office Bill, the Minister is Secretary of State Priti Patel.
The Minister and Conservative MPs have already a) highlighted the idea of protesters blocking ambulances and b) explained that many of these measures were blocked by the unelected Lords.
THREAD (1/7) This year’s Parliamentary Session ended on Thursday 28th April, meaning Parliament won’t meet again until the after the new year starts on 10th May. The Govt pushed through a number of laws before the year ends which have concerning implications for human rights.
(2/7) Martha of @libertyhq discussed how these laws relate to #HumanRightsActReform at our recent Ask the Experts event: bit.ly/3OL1Mmg. But it’s also important to see how campaigning + public pressure helped reduce some of the most harmful measures in these laws.
(3/7) The Elections Bill: Following campaigning from the @RNIB about the disproportionate impact on disabled people, the Lords inserted a clause requiring the Electoral Commission to consult on its guidance with groups representing the interests of people affected.
Despite huge public outcry the #PolicingBill has been forced through, diminishing our rights and weakening democracy.
But this is far from the outright victory the government sought to win.
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
But this is far from the outright victory the government sought to win.
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
The House of Lords kicked out some of the most draconian proposed measures, such as individual protest bans and police powers to stop and search protestors.
But the #PolicingBill is still the most significant restriction of civil liberties in a generation.
The government’s assault on the nomadic way of life of already persecuted Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities has no place in any country that claims to respect human rights.
The government’s assault on the nomadic way of life of already persecuted Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities has no place in any country that claims to respect human rights.
Good evening everyone! The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (aka the #PolicingBill) is back in the Lords this evening. We understand that many Lords are planning to insist on noise a third time.
Live tweets will be on this thread below!
Live tweets will be on this thread below!
Possibly only a few minutes more until the #PolicingBill is up! There’s a division on the Health and Care Bill, and I think I just saw the Minister sit down.
Apologies, there’s a second division on the Health and Care Bill. Another ten minute division.
Good afternoon all! The #PolicingBill is back in the Commons this afternoon. There are two statements ahead of the Bill, so it may be up to another hour. This is the thread in which we will follow the Bill.
At the moment we are still listening to a statement on Ukraine. It will be followed by a statement on Football Governance. The #PolicingBill will follow.
In the Lords, Report Stage for the #ElectionsBill has started.
🚨The #PolicingBill is back TOMORROW🚨
Protest isn't a gift from the State - it's OUR RIGHT
But Gov wants to criminalise noisy protests
Noise is at the heart of protest
The House of Lords must continue to stand up for protest rights + reject this plan
Protest isn't a gift from the State - it's OUR RIGHT
But Gov wants to criminalise noisy protests
Noise is at the heart of protest
The House of Lords must continue to stand up for protest rights + reject this plan
Protest is a core pillar of our democracy, but the #PolicingBill risks criminalising people who take to the streets for a cause they believe in, from racial justice campaigners to people trying to save their local library.
Back in Jan the House of Lords removed some of the worst anti-protest measures from the #PolicingBill, but the Government has reinserted police powers to place noise-based conditions on demonstrations.
In the last 24 hours, 3 horrendous cases of institutional racism have come to light 🧵
A young Black schoolgirl, #ChildQ, was taken out of an exam to be strip searched - without any adult supervision from her guardians - on suspicion of possessing cannabis, which she did not.
She was then sent back into her exam, traumatised and shaken. theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/m…
She was then sent back into her exam, traumatised and shaken. theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/m…
A report from prestigious @RoySocChem today shows that racism is 'pervasive' in chemical sciences.
Robert Mokaya, the ONLY Black professor in 575 chemistry professors across the UK, has been rejected for research funding for 15 years. bbc.co.uk/news/science-e…
Robert Mokaya, the ONLY Black professor in 575 chemistry professors across the UK, has been rejected for research funding for 15 years. bbc.co.uk/news/science-e…
The Government's consultation on its proposed 'overhaul' of our #HumanRightsAct closes tomorrow.
This isn’t a plan to improve the system.
It’s an attempt to weaken everyone's human rights and hide from accountability for their actions.
⬇️EXPLAINER🧵 libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/explaine…
This isn’t a plan to improve the system.
It’s an attempt to weaken everyone's human rights and hide from accountability for their actions.
⬇️EXPLAINER🧵 libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/explaine…
THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
In a functioning democracy, people must be able to hold the powerful to account.
The #HumanRightsAct enables everyone in the UK to do just that and stand up for our rights when public authorities – like Gov + local councils – fall short.
In a functioning democracy, people must be able to hold the powerful to account.
The #HumanRightsAct enables everyone in the UK to do just that and stand up for our rights when public authorities – like Gov + local councils – fall short.
The #HumanRightsAct protects us from misuse of power no matter who we are.
And it's helped bring a culture of respecting human rights into hospitals, schools, care homes, and housing associations – changing the way thousands of people are treated and supported.
And it's helped bring a culture of respecting human rights into hospitals, schools, care homes, and housing associations – changing the way thousands of people are treated and supported.
The Minister, Kit Malthouse MP, is quickly setting out the @UKHouseofLords amendments for MPs in the @HouseofCommons.
Then the amendments are taken in the order set out in the order paper. Part 3 and part 4 are in the last of three sections. commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/document/54422…
Then the amendments are taken in the order set out in the order paper. Part 3 and part 4 are in the last of three sections. commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/document/54422…
@UKHouseofLords @HouseofCommons Before getting on to the specific amendments, there is a time for the general consideration -- in short, the Minister runs through everything before any actual votes are taken. At the moment, that discussion is focusing mainly on sexual harassment.
"Many [sites] adjoin recycling plants or are surrounded by embankments of earth. “They try to hide Gypsies away from public view,” Green says."
Many thanks to @RKWinvisibleman for this write-up on the state of sites and the #PolicingBill. (1/6)
Many thanks to @RKWinvisibleman for this write-up on the state of sites and the #PolicingBill. (1/6)
(2/6)
Previous research by @KatharineQ showed the extent of inadequate site placement, with 79% located within 500 metres of one or more of an A road, motorway, railway line, refuse/recycling, sewage or an industrial estate, canal or river.
bylinetimes.com/2021/05/24/sys… (3/6)
bylinetimes.com/2021/05/24/sys… (3/6)
I want to say a little more about Jimmy Carr’s abhorrent ‘joke’. First, the awful truth. Many hundreds of thousands of Roma and Sinti people were murdered by the Nazis during World War II, in what has become known to the victims’ families as the Porrajmos (the ‘Devouring’).
How were the Nazis able to commit these terrible crimes with impunity? Its propaganda machine played a major role, reinforcing age old prejudices. Roma and Sinti were made scapegoats, blamed for the ills of society, dehumanised and stereotyped as anti-social thieves and vagabonds
The propaganda campaign worked; people were conditioned to believe what they were being told (by what would now clearly be understood as ‘hate speech’) and there was little opposition when Roma and Sinti were rounded up and transported to camps from which they would never return.
Here's a quick rundown of the changes to Part 3 of the #PolicingBill last night. Thread below!
#PoliceBill #ProtestIsNotACrime
#PoliceBill #ProtestIsNotACrime
There are a number of government amendments which were accepted. Most of these seek to tighten measures or to define key terms. These were accepted without a vote.
There were four wins which we need to maintain -- that is, amendments where the govt lost in the Lords, but MPs could reverse the change in Ping Pong.
Remember, this government is pushing through SEVERAL bills that are very authoritarian.
They are each at different stages. Some are in the Lords, others back in the Commons.
🧵
They are each at different stages. Some are in the Lords, others back in the Commons.
🧵
Three of the most concerning are:
1. Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (going back to HoC)
2. The Elections Bill (going back to HoL)
3. The Nationality and Borders Bill (Cttee stage in HoL)
1. Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (going back to HoC)
2. The Elections Bill (going back to HoL)
3. The Nationality and Borders Bill (Cttee stage in HoL)
Last night, the Gvt was roundly defeated by the Lords on the PCSC Bill (#PolicingBill). This Bill now goes back to the HoC where we hope MPs will listen and accept the HoL amendments.
The @BestForBritain amndmt to protect right of protest in Parliament Sq was one of those.
The @BestForBritain amndmt to protect right of protest in Parliament Sq was one of those.
A Public Service Announcement from your cynical old Museum of Homelessness on the #PolicingBill
Whilst it's great that the Lords tabled a surprise amendment to repeal the #VagrancyAct, we caution people not to be distracted or too victorious about this. Why?
Well....🧵
Whilst it's great that the Lords tabled a surprise amendment to repeal the #VagrancyAct, we caution people not to be distracted or too victorious about this. Why?
Well....🧵
What we know is that whilst people *are* arrested under the Vagrancy Act, which is despicable and archaic, the methods that are far more often used to make the homeless population's life a misery are Public Space Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices.
PSPOs and CPNs are from other legislation, specifically the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
This current #PolicingBill is the 2014 act on steroids.
This current #PolicingBill is the 2014 act on steroids.
🚨BREAKING🚨: Best for Britain's #PolicingBill amendment protecting your right to protest outside Parliament has just been passed in HoL. MPs will now be asked to vote on it. bestforbritain.org/best_for_brita… 1/4
“While it’s not our only objection to this Bill, this victory should give hope to everyone who believes that civil rights are not a partisan issue and that no government should be allowed to silence the people they represent." - B4B CEO @pimlicat 2/4
"I hope MPs will support the right for large peaceful protests to continue to take place in Parliament Square and recognise that the Policing Bill needs to be amended so that permission can be given for these protests to go ahead." - Lord Colville who tabled the amendment 3/4
Our amendments now being debated. Excellent speeches by peers Colville, Rosser and Altmann.
Gvt responding now.
Gvt responding now.
Gvt response is disingenuous. But they’ve now said in the House that they won’t stop us protesting in Parliament Sq. We can test their honesty by organising a peaceful demo.
Peers MUST vote for 133A
#policingbill
Peers MUST vote for 133A
#policingbill
Gvt minister is not giving off the vibes of someone proud of this bill #PolicingBill
Thank you to all the peers who are showing great commitment & integrity as they stay late to knock back some of the disturbing provisions in the #PolicingBill, despite govt attempts to prevent scrutiny by scheduling.
This is no way to run a democracy. But the govt knows that.
This is no way to run a democracy. But the govt knows that.
This image just shows the commitment and integrity of many members of our unelected House.
Scandalous that peers should be put in this position on some of the most important rights in any democracy.
Scandalous that peers should be put in this position on some of the most important rights in any democracy.
Just proving the point. This just shouldn’t be happening. Every unscrupulous card being played by the government to ram through their #PolicingBill.
🚨The House of Lords is now debating the draconian #PolicingBill at Report stage.
Rushed amendments to this Bill seek to STOP some citizens from taking part in protests altogether.
❌These unprecedented measures need to be quashed.
Rushed amendments to this Bill seek to STOP some citizens from taking part in protests altogether.
❌These unprecedented measures need to be quashed.
👮♂️Lord Coaker (@Vernon_Coaker) addresses one of the most dangerous provisions in the Bill; allowing police to limit protests based on the criteria of noise.
🪧 @greenjennyjones sets out the importance of defending everyone's right to protest, even when not sympathetic to their cause.
The last day of Report for the #PolicingBill is well underway. We'll be tweeting here all night.
The first group has been covered. We're now on to the second group, which is about hunting with dogs. It includes issues such as hare coursing.
Part 3 will probably start in a couple of hours. This is a HUGE Bill, and Part 3 is right at the end.
Part 3 will probably start in a couple of hours. This is a HUGE Bill, and Part 3 is right at the end.
Like @GreenJennyJones, we're settling in for a long night. Unlike Peers, we're at home instead of bobbing up and down to debate with the Minister. Huge thanks to all the Peers who stay to vote on these vital issues.
What’s actually happening today on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill? And what does it mean? Here’s a thread about:
1.The key parts of the legislation
2.What happens next
Thread below! #PoliceBill #PolicingBill #ProtestIsNotACrime
1.The key parts of the legislation
2.What happens next
Thread below! #PoliceBill #PolicingBill #ProtestIsNotACrime
Today is the final day of Report. That means that the House of Lords has discussed the Bill (last Nov/Dec) and now they’re voting on which bits should be included. Part 3 has been left until now because the government inserted 18+ pages of new amendments at the last minute.
Part 3 is clauses 56-62. It allows the police to impose new restrictions on non-violent protests, such as to limit the noise they can make and any serious disruption they may possible cause to others.
If you support the #PolicingBill you have to be supremely confident that at no point in the future you or anyone you care about will disagree with any British government. This isn't just about silencing protests now. It silences them afterwards as well. #r4today 1/
That's the thing with freedom and rights. When you celebrate them being stripped from people you disagree with, you inevitably ignore they're also being stripped from you. That's why we need to #KilltheBill, because of the precedent it sets and dangers to freedom it creates. 2/
You can't, as @RobertBuckland attempted to do on #r4today, argue that "proportionality" would protect people when you look at the disproportionate use of force by the police already against some peaceful protesters, such as at the Sarah Everard vigil. 3/ theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/j…
