Darlington Green Party stage peaceful protest outside MP's office

The group protested against the government’s plans to criminalise peaceful protest and roughly 20 people were present.

Carrying placards with the message 'Protest Is Not a Crime,' the protesters delivered a letter calling for Mr Gibson to stand up for the fundamental democratic right to take part in peaceful protest, which they say will be removed by government’s Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill (the Policing Bill.)

Roughly 20 people took part in the protest. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

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The Policing Bill has also been condemned by a wide range of campaigning organisations and by leading lawyers.

Civil liberties organisation Liberty says that it contradicts Article 11 of the Human Rights Act, which protects people’s right to protest by holding meetings and demonstrations.

The human rights organisation Amnesty International says the Policing Bill "represents an enormous and unprecedented extension of policing powers which would effectively give both police and government ministers the powers to ban, limit or impose undue restrictions on peaceful protests."

Matthew Snedker from Darlington Green Party said: "There are plenty of Tory MPs who disagree with this but David Davis has been the most vocal so far. If he is against it, that says a lot."

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Campaigner and member of Darlington Friends of the Earth, Jon Deery said: "We're trying to kill the bill before the bill kills us. How can we campaign to end climate change if this bill is passed?"

Member of Darlington Friends of the Earth, Jon Deery said if the right to protest is taken away, it will be harder to fight climate change. Picture: AJA DODD

Kendra Ullyart of Darlington Friends of the Earth said: "The right to protest is really important because through history people have protested and made real change like the Suffragettes. People only protest when they feel they have no other option."

Environmental campaigner Kendra Ullyart was present. Picture: AJA DODD

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One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "To be honest it's crazy that we even have to be here doing this. It's like we've gone back in time."

Another man who wanted to remain anonymous said: "People should be able to protest about anything they want and usually annoying people and obstructing traffic is the only way to be heard. No one protests for a laugh, it's so that people take notice and I don't understand why that right should be taken away."

Protesters handed in a letter to Peter Gibson's office. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

A woman who didn't want to give her name said: "To have the right to protest taken away is criminal."

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Kulvanth Kaur said: "Supporting the right to protest and free speech is how we protect our civil liberties. It's about fighting for basic rights. What's wrong with protesting really?"

Peter Gibson was in Westminster yesterday but sent this statement: "I understand a tiny group of protesters visited my constituency office today to deliver a letter, knowing full well I would be in Westminster and thus not able to meet with them.

"This Government’s police crime and sentencing bill addresses many issues including disruptive protest.

"In a democracy I cherish the right of the small groups such as those on Duke Street today to make their point in the way they have to generate headlines.

"Nothing in the bill stops them from doing that - provided of course they are not blocking emergency services, disrupting Darlington residents going about their business, or indeed glueing themselves to roads.

"I’m quite sure the majority of Darlington people do not want their lives obstructed by protesters or indeed emergency vehicles attending them and that is exactly what this government bill will address."

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