Cathedral clergy criticise policing of ‘kill the bill’ protest on College Green

Bristol Cathedral leaders say people were left “deeply traumatised” by police tactics in a damning statement criticising the handling of a ‘kill the bill’ protest.

Dean, Dr Mandy Ford, and chapter reverend canon, Dr Martin Gainsborough, described hearing “extremely distressing” witness testimonies of individuals being “punched, kicked and forced to the ground using riot shields” during a peaceful gathering on College Green on March 23.

They also heard demonstrators were “herded and kettled by the police; being ordered to move on, but with no way of leaving the area”.

Writing in the latest Bristol Cathedral newsletter, they said: “College Green should be a place of safety and sanctuary for all. It is clear that on the night of March 23, this was not the case.”

It comes after the bishop of Bristol, Vivienne Faull, was one of the signatories of an open letter on March 25 expressing their “complete confidence” in the police.

Police have refuted claims the tactic of ‘kettling’ – meaning to confine protesters in a small space with no way of escape – was used at the kill the bill protest that saw officers disperse crowds in the early hours of the morning.

The force says it received four formally recorded complaints relating to the policing of the event of March 23. They were all reviewed by its professional standards department and no conduct issues were identified.

The night in question saw riot police return to Bristol’s streets for the second time in 48 hours to break up a gathering protesting the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill.

Officers forcibly moved protesters on from College Green. Police also targeted journalists, including Bristol24/7 Editor Martin Booth and two reporters from the Bristol Cable.

The newsletter from Bristol Cathedral states that College Green is an asset for the whole community and a safe space for all.

It continues: “The Dean [Dr Mandy Ford] and the Revd Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough met with around sixty people in an event on June 13 facilitated by David Mowat, a Quaker activist.

“They heard several testimonies from people about their experiences on March 23 at the gathering to protest about the impact of the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill on those in the traveller and van dwelling community.

“The testimony of those who had been present on March 23 was extremely distressing. They repeatedly stressed that it had been a peaceful protest and that at no time was any violence done to the police or property.

“They described being herded and kettled by the police; being ordered to move on, but with no way of leaving the area. The speed of the attempted dispersal was such that people were confused by what was expected of them, frightened, and unable to collect their belongings safely.

“Witnesses spoke of seeing individuals punched, kicked and forced to the ground using riot shields. It was clear that those who had been there were, and remain, deeply traumatised by their experiences and by what they witnessed. Many were in tears and visibly distressed by recounting the events of that evening.”

Dozens of police including on horseback and with dogs cleared peaceful protesters from College Green on March 23 – photo: Martin Booth

Responding to the comments by the clergy, a force spokesperson said: “Throughout the significant protests in Bristol in March 2021, we engaged extensively with our partner agencies and stakeholders in Bristol to keep them fully informed on the policing response and to give further detail around the necessary and proportionate action taken by officers.

“Following the comments made in the dean of Bristol’s summer newsletter, Bristol commander supt Mark Runacres will arrange a further meeting with the dean to explain the tactical decisions taken on the night of the 23 March, to explain why they were taken, and to reassure the dean that as with any significant policing operation, a full debrief is being carried out to identify any learnings.”

The statement follows a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Democracy and the Constitution, which found there were “significant failings” by the police.

The force has strongly refuted the report’s findings, saying it “rejects any suggestion officers did not facilitate peaceful demonstrations on the day of the riot and for subsequent protests”.

Police in full riot gear removed peaceful protesters from College Green just days after the ‘kill the bill’ riot – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo by Martin Booth

Read more: Independent report on Bristol violence says police may have acted illegally