A peaceful protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is taking place in Dorset today (Saturday).

Dorset Trade Union Council, Stand Up to Racism Dorset, Black Lives Matter, Unite, Extinction Rebellion and Weymouth Animal Rights are joining forces and meeting at 1pm at the Kings Statue in Weymouth. They will then be carrying out a march through the town centre.

The Bill includes government proposals on crime and justice and includes changes to protests. If passed, police can put more conditions on static protests and will be able to impose a start and finish time, set noise limits and apply these rules to a demonstration by just one person.

At present, if police want to place restrictions on a protest, they have to show it may result in 'serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community'.

Jenny Lennon-Wood from Dorset Trade Union Council, said: "The Government has exploited key workers, putting their lives at risk throughout the pandemic. The 'reward' is an attack on their jobs and pay - renewed austerity to make workers pay for the Covid crisis while the chumocracy continues to pour public funds into the pockets of the super-rich.

"Now the Police and Crimes Bill aims to rob us all of our right to protest against the injustices of poverty pay, insecure jobs and discrimination in workplaces and all aspects of our daily lives. Dorset Trade Union Council says a resounding no to this undemocratic assault on our democracy."

Lynne Hubbard, from Stand up To Racism Dorset, said: "The Government wants to criminalise people who protest against racism - like those who've joined demonstrations called by the Black Lives Matter movement. The Home Secretary described these as 'dreadful'. What's dreadful is the attack on our rights and on all those who want to see social justice."

Attendees to the protest are required to wear face masks and maintain social distancing. Anyone with Covid symptoms must not attend.