The British government takes action
Sunak annoyed by climate protests: severe penalties for walking slowly
Climate activists dress up and march outside the Houses of Parliament in London.
© Source: Kin Cheung/AP/dpa
London. The Conservative British government wants to severely punish protest tactics such as slow-walking on motorways. “The public wants us to stop the self-interested vandals who are disrupting their lives – so do I,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Sun Sunday newspaper. The people of the country deserve “law-abiding citizens to be protected from minorities who want to make their lives ugly.”
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A ban on slowing down to obstruct road traffic failed in the Upper House. As a result, Interior Minister Suella Braverman issued an order for police officers to take action in the future.
The British government tightened protest rights
The British government has already tightened the right to protest, particularly in the face of large-scale protests from climate protection groups from Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil. More recently, Parliament passed legislation that would make blockades of critical infrastructure such as roads, airports and railways punishable by prison terms. Additionally, chaining yourself is now illegal. Police can stop and search anyone suspected of planning “serious disturbance”. Civil rights activists warn that the conservative government is leading the country toward dictatorship.
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“Britons are in for a glorious summer of celebration,” Sunack said, referring to the coronation of King Charles III. “With our new laws, we will oppress the majority against the minority,” he declared.
The opposition accused Sunak of making empty promises. The Social Democratic Workers Party said they only wanted to create headlines to distract from his failure to fight crime. The police already have all the necessary powers.
RND/dpa
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