'The Draconian Anti-Protest Laws That Are the Real Threat to Free Speech in the UK'

'The Draconian Anti-Protest Laws That Are the Real Threat to Free Speech in the UK'

Armed police raid a peaceful meeting at a Quaker meeting house. Activists are given lengthy prison sentences for taking part in a video call. Protesters on trial are banned from mentioning their motivations in court. A woman is arrested, charged and tried over a satirical placard. It’s hard to believe, but these are just some of the real-world consequences of anti-protest laws that we have seen in the UK over the last 12 months.  Each year Bond …

UK anti-protest laws and surveillance technology need a rethink: Bond releases annual review on UK civic space

Today, Thursday 22 May, Bond, the UK network for civil society organisations working in international development, has released its UK civic space review for 24-25, detailing the key trends threatening civil society’s core functions. From growing concerns over protest rights, to the rollout of new technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence (AI), and fresh stigmatisation of campaigners and communities who challenge govern…