Last night’s #KillTheBill protests, which resulted in vandalism to both police buildings and vehicles as well as assaults on multiple police officers, have been promoted by a number of Labour MPs.
Over the last week, a number of Labour MPs have taken to Twitter to encourage protests against the new Policing Bill introduced by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.
These Labour MPs have all used inflammatory language.
Some examples of their comments include “there is power in protest” and “it’s not the politicians the Government fears, it’s you”. One described the protest as a “fight”.
Claudia Webbe, MP for Leicester East, encouraged all of her following to take to the streets in order to protest against the Bill.
It comes after she accused former President Donald Trump of inciting the Capitol Hill riots in January, mobilising “fascists to attack democracy”. Last night, however, Webbe announced her support for the rioters on Twitter, excusing their actions because “the creeping authoritarianism of the state has repurcussions”.
The Labour MPs who have backed the protests against the bill include Claudia Webbe, Zarah Sultana, Olivia Black, Richard Burgon and Kate Osbourne.
Additionally, there have been other Labour figures who have agreed with Webbe’s Tweets. The Chair of Young Labour, Jess Barnard, posted after the riots that “protesting is not about being palatable or ‘nice'”.
Protest is anger. It is force. It amplifies the voice of the voiceless and reminds the establishment that the people have power.
Protesting is not about being palatable or 'nice'
— Jess Barnard (@JessicaLBarnard) March 21, 2021
