The riot in Bristol refers to a series of major riots that took place in the city. The events that took place ranged from ‘Kill the bill’ demonstrations to ‘Third Dragoons’ protests. There were also police moves of protestors from the road.
‘Kill the bill’ protests
The ‘Kill the bill’ protests that erupted in Bristol this weekend were marred by shocking police brutality. Protesters were outraged by proposed changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) bill, which would limit the right to protest, restrict the duration and end times of protests, and increase the severity of the punishments for protesters who cause serious annoyance.
The demonstrations continued last night, leading to the arrest of 14 people. The police say that a large number of people were injured and several police officers were hurt. Police also released images of 10 people involved in the Bristol riot. The national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales said that his colleagues in Bristol feel under siege.
The protests in Bristol turned violent and the police claimed that several people were injured, including two police officers. Police have defended their actions, claiming that they were trying to prevent violent acts. But the protesters have been claiming that police used their shields as weapons. Police claim that they were just using their shields to keep away demonstrators.
Police have also charged several people with riot offences, which is the most serious public order offence. The charges stem from the protests held in Bristol last year, which were triggered by the proposed crime bill. The charges are rare for political protests but can result in jail terms of up to ten years.
The police continue to hunt people accused of the protests, and more people could be arrested and convicted of rioting. Some of those arrested are homeless, while others have mental health and learning problems. One of the people arrested during the protests, Ryan Roberts, has been sentenced to fourteen years in prison for attempted set-alighting a police van. Roberts has ADHD and lives on the fringes of society.
‘Third Dragoons’
The ‘Third Dragoons riot in Bristol of 1831 has many tragic and unjust consequences. The rioters burned down homes and other property and many were caught in the flames. Molten lead literally fell on people as the buildings burned. It is estimated that several hundred people died in this incident. In addition to Bristol, riots occurred in Coventry, Warwick, and Bath. These riots caused serious damage to the cities and were a cause of concern for the British government. In addition to this, the mayor of Bristol was arrested and later exonerated of all charges. The Bristol Political Union was also disassociated from the riots, and many citizens signed up as special constables.
In addition to burning buildings, the rioters also attacked businesses and houses of worship. They targeted clergy, wealthy merchants, and the finance industry. They also attacked prisons and toll houses. One man was even able to get into the Mansion House while dressed as a postillion and escaped. Later, rioters burned down three prisons in the city.
The riot in Bristol began after a statement from Sir Charles Wetherell, the Recorder of Bristol. A petition of 17,000 signatures had been circulated in the city in support of reform. The MP, who had been elected to represent the town, represented a group of rich merchants.
The riot in Bristol is a horrendous event. The 3rd Dragoon Guards were involved in the riot. Many people are still enraged by what happened. They’d like to know what caused this.
Police moving people from the road
The police moved people from the road during the riot in the city centre. Protesters were chanting “Kill the bill” and hurling objects at officers. Some were throwing glass bottles and cones. Others were playing music. A police van had been destroyed in the riot.
The riot was triggered by a raft of government policies. Bristol is the latest city to hold a protest against the controversial Police and Crime Bill. It is the third major demonstration against the legislation in a week. Police used riot gear to disperse the crowd, moving them away from the city centre. Mounted police also walked through the crowd, moving people from the road.
In a tweet, the Home Secretary declared that violent criminality will not be tolerated and that “order and civil peace are vital”. While it is important to protect your rights, violence and disorder is not an acceptable means of protest. It is also unacceptable and inexcusable to injure police officers.
The riot in Bristol was not a good scene for anyone, particularly those who live close to the city centre. It is not clear how many people were injured or arrested. But police are appealing for information that could lead to the arrest of ten people. The Avon and Somerset Police Commissioner said the incident showed a reckless disregard for lives.
The protesters stayed mostly in the park, with a small number of people gathered on the street outside the park. Some of them chose to sit on the road. One woman shouted “Get off her, leave her alone.”
Violence against protestors
The recent unrest in Bristol has prompted calls for greater reforms in policing. The protests were sparked by elements of the Policing Bill which target the travelling community. Protesters had set up tents and were ready to hold a peaceful day of action. However, police in riot gear attacked them and brutalised them. In the process, they also manhandled journalists and arrested 14 people.
The violent attacks on people protesting on the streets of Bristol were carried out by police using shield edges as weapons, CS spray, dogs and baton strikes. The Home Secretary has made clear that any form of disorder will not be tolerated. But police indiscriminate violence against protestors during a demonstration is unjustified and inexcusable. In a statement, a protester said: “It’s important to remain peaceful when you’re protesting peacefully.”
The protests in Bristol started peacefully but turned violent as the evening wore on. Some protesters smashed windows and set fire to marked police vehicles. They also vandalized the police station and left graffiti strewn along the streets. At least two police officers were injured and rushed to the hospital.
The police are currently searching for up to 34 more people. They are investigating the riot and will be presenting further charges. At least three of those people have admitted guilt. This may be due to compelling evidence that investigators have gathered or they may have finally realised that their actions were too extreme.
According to a report from an all-party parliamentary group, there was significant police violence against protestors, including the use of dogs, shield strikes and batons. The report also found significant violence against police officers. At least 62 protesters sustained injuries during the riot. Some suffered head injuries, while others had broken bones. In one case, one man had a broken jaw.
Political meddling
After the riot in Bristol, a number of elected officials have taken a keen interest in the operational policing decisions made in the area. One example is Priti Patel’s decision to publicly criticize the removal of a statue commemorating the slave trader Edward Colston. She has called for an explanation from the chief constable. Another example is Boris Johnson’s support for the police version of events following the “kill the bill” protests.
Despite the arrest of four people for rioting in Bristol, a further 34 people are sought by detectives. Many are homeless, and some are thought to have mental or learning difficulties. One man, Ryan Roberts, is said to have been living on the fringes of society and attempted to set fire to a police van. He was sentenced to 14 years in December.
The police’s use of force against protesters is controversial. In Bristol, the rioters attacked police vehicles. One police van drove down Newgate, and protesters chased it. As night fell, the demonstrators became more violent. Sisters Uncut, who organise Kill the Bill marches in cities across the UK, were at the riot. The Bristol Anarchist Federation and members of regional anarchist organizations were also there.
In the aftermath of the riot, police charged dozens of young protesters with rioting, the most serious public order offense. However, the police have not finished bringing the perpetrators to justice. The proposed legislation could lead to the conviction of protesters and could result in a jail sentence.
The police also released ten photos of people they wanted to trace. Some activists and journalists criticized the policing bill. Some were arrested for assaulting police officers.
