Demonstrators rally together for a ‘very annoying‘ protest

Demonstrators rally together for a ‘very annoying‘ protest
#KillTheBill — As crucial votes on the policing bill took place in the House of Lords, protestors gathered together with a simple goal: to make as much of a racket as possible.

Last night (17 January), Boris Johnson’s already embattled government lost a series of crucial votes in the House of Lords. The votes pertain to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill (known as the policing bill): new provisions the government is seeking to introduce that campaigners say would have a devastating impact on the right to protest in this country. The series of 14 votes went late into the night and saw government amendments to its bill – such as those around suspicionless stop-and-search and the outlawing of “lock-ons” – be permanently removed.

The Lords rebellion, led by opposition members, also voted down parts of the original bill, namely, provisions which give the police powers to place noise restrictions on protests. These parts will now go back to the commons for further debate and votes. The blow to the bill, which activists have dubbed as a huge and vital win, comes after months of sustained organising and resistance.

As the debate happened in the House of Lords, campaigners gathered on College Green in Westminster for “a very annoying protest”. The demo, originally called by comedian Mark Thomas and then widely promoted by Kill the Bill organisers, saw hundreds attend, equipped with all manner of annoying accouchements. The saucepans, drums, whistles, vuvuzelas and tambourines echoed into the night and could be heard in the chamber of the House of Lords. The noise, deafening at points, was a direct reference to provisions in the bill designed to prevent “serious annoyance” from protests which, as Labour MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome told the crowd last night, would “make “legal” protests ineffective and make effective protest illegal”.

Photographer Aiyush Pachnanda was at the scene to capture some of the most annoying moments.

Follow Aiyush Pachnanda on Instagram. 

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Latest on Huck

US Election night 2024 in Texas
Photography

US Election night 2024 in Texas

Photographer Tom “TBow” Bowden travelled to Republican and Democratic watch parties around Houston, capturing their contrasting energies as results began to flow in.

Written by: Isaac Muk

In photos: “Real life is not black and white” – Polaroid x Magnum Open Call winners
Photography

In photos: “Real life is not black and white” – Polaroid x Magnum Open Call winners

See pictures from the competition organised by two titans of contemporary photography, which called upon artists to reject the digitalisation and over-perfectionism of our modern world, technology and image-making.

Written by: Huck

In photos: Rednecks with Paychecks
Photography

In photos: Rednecks with Paychecks

‘American Diesel’ is a new photo series that looks at the people, places and culture behind the stereotypes of rural America.

Written by: Ben Smoke

How do you solve a problem like the music industry?
Culture

How do you solve a problem like the music industry?

Beyond the Music is a conference and grassroots festival bringing together people from across the industry to try and grapple with the biggest issues facing it.

Written by: Ben Smoke

Laura Crane is waving goodbye to sexism in surfing
Outdoors

Laura Crane is waving goodbye to sexism in surfing

The first UK woman to surf the legendary big wave spot Nazarè, Crane is surfing the sea change in the sport and beyond.

Written by: Sam Haddad

Surreal Halloween portraits from 1970s San Francisco
Photography

Surreal Halloween portraits from 1970s San Francisco

Unhinged and otherworldly portraits of All Hallows Eve almost half a century ago form the basis of photographer Ken Werner’s new book ‘Halloween: A Fantasy in Three Acts’.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Sign up to our newsletter

Issue 81: The more than a game issue

Buy it now