The Conservative British government wants to severely punish protest tactics such as walking slowly on motorways.
“The public wants us to put a stop to selfish saboteurs who are disrupting their lives – and so do I,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Sun on Sunday newspaper.
The people of the country deserve “that law-abiding citizens be protected from a minority who want to make their lives mad.”
Tightened right to demonstrate
A ban on walking slowly to obstruct road traffic failed in the upper house. As a result, Interior Minister Suella Braverman issued an ordinance so that police officers can take action in the future.
In the face of large-scale protests, especially by climate protection groups from Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, the British government has already tightened the right to demonstrate.
Most recently, parliament cleared the way for a law that punishes the blockade of important infrastructure such as roads, airports and railway lines with imprisonment. In addition, it is now illegal to chain yourself.
The police can also stop and search anyone they suspect of planning “serious disruption”. Civil rights activists warn that the conservative government is leading the country towards authoritarianism.
“The people of Britain are in for a glorious summer of celebrations,” Sunak said, referring to the coronation of King Charles III. “With our new laws, we will crack down on the majority against the minority,” he announced.
The opposition accused Sunak of making hollow promises. The Social Democrat Labor Party said he only wanted to make headlines to distract from his failure to fight crime.
The police already have all the necessary powers. (dpa)
