Protest is more important than ever – it must not be banned during lockdown

Liberty has responded to today’s news that protests involving more than two people could be prohibited during the lockdown.

Rosalind Comyn, Liberty police and campaigns manager, said: “We should all be able to stand up for what we believe in. In a healthy democracy protest is one way we do that, and that’s why any measures which stop people expressing dissent are deeply worrying and should be treated with suspicion.

“We have always supported proportionate measures to protect lives, but people must not be criminalised en masse for voicing opposition to Government action – even in the context of a pandemic. What’s more, Parliament has been side lined at every turn of this Government’s pandemic response, making protest even more important than ever to ensure everyone’s voices are heard.

“The Government and police must commit to uphold their duty to facilitate protest so we can stand up to power.”