Tell the government to protect our fundamental right to protest
Posted: 29th June 2025
When it comes to cracking down on peaceful protest, Labour is proving no better than the Conservatives. Right now, a new bill is going through Parliament that threatens our right to protest even further. We need to stop this.
Protest has won us freedoms we now take for granted – like women’s right to vote, weekends, and even the right to roam the countryside. [1] That’s why we must defend the right to protest. Will you call on the government to stop the crackdown and restore our freedom of expression?
This week, the government announced plans to ban Palestine Action, a direct action protest group, and designate them as a terrorist organisation, equating them with groups like Al Qaeda and National Action. [2] This is absurd and if it goes through will have a chilling effect on other protest groups. Palestine Action exists to stop weapons being used on civilians in Gaza – this is not violent terrorism.
And that’s not all. The Crime and Policing Bill is going through Parliament with disturbing new powers aimed at silencing protest. [3]
One shocking proposal would allow the government to revoke the immigration status of protesters that receive a police caution. Whether students, workers, refugees or even victims of trafficking – these people could be stopped from speaking out against job conditions, disabled rights, protesting foreign governments or our own.
Another measure included in the bill gives police the power to arrest anyone covering their face at a protest. Even if there are religious or health reasons – under these laws you would only be able to prove this after arrest. This is outrageous.
Labour previously opposed the Conservatives stamping down on our right to protest – but now in government it is further dismantling these rights. We can’t afford to lose the freedoms generations fought for. Can you call on the government to stop the attack on peaceful protest?
Some good news is that just last week, the government dropped its court appeal that would pave the way for police to shut down protests on vague and obscure grounds. [4] But there’s still much to do to restore and protect our fundamental rights.
You might not agree with every single protest you see – you might not even agree with climate protests – but this legislation could be used to stop you from making your voice heard on anything that matters to you. That’s why we must all protect the right to protest.
In love and solidarity,
Anthony
Greenpeace UK
Notes:
[1] Does peaceful protest work?
[2] Yvette Cooper vows to ban Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws
[3] UK: Crime and policing bill an attack on our ‘proud legacy of protest’