Thousands of protestors unite to condemn the policing bill
- Text by Ben Smoke
- Photography by Aiyush Pachnanda
This weekend, thousands took to the streets in towns and cities across the country to demonstrate against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The bill is reaching its final stages in the House of Lords and has seen sustained protest and resistance since it was first introduced in March 2021. The legislation contains within it provisions that campaigners say will be used to target minorities as well as those which would significantly impact the right to protest.
Demos, marches and actions took place in at least 28 different places this weekend as the Lords prepare to vote on a series of last-minute government amendments to the bill tonight. In London, thousands gathered at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the centre of the city to listen to speeches before marching to Parliament Square for a second rally. Speakers included MPs, Lords and members of communities affected by provisions in the bill. Photographer Aiyush Pachnanda was there to capture the action.

Follow Aiyush Pachnanda on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
You might like
Tender portraits of women serving life sentences in America
Looking Inside — While working as a public defender attorney in New York State, Sara Bennett found dilapidated prisons and forgotten people. Her new photobook harnesses the power of images and shines a humanising light on those imprisoned for serious crimes and their reintegration into society, while asking questions of the USA’s incarceration system.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Activists replace Union Jacks with ‘Tax The Rich’ flags in Farage’s Clacton
Take Back Power — It comes after the Reform UK leader resigned as an MP and triggered a by-election in the constituency, following scrutiny over a £5 million donation that he had not declared.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Tish Murtha’s searing documentation of broken Britain
Vandalism on a Grand Scale — Capturing youth unemployment and poverty in north-east England during the ’80s, the photographer never lived to see her work published. A new photobook by British Culture Archive brings her eye-opening work to light.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Ra’ed Khan and the tireless work of Road to Freedom
Hurriyah — Having been providing frontline aid and support to refugees for over a decade, a new book featuring poetry by Omar Mooro traces the story of the NGO. In this chapter extract, founder and music executive Ra’ed Khan explains its origins.
Written by: Isaac Muk
‘Baking Street’: Activists rename Tube stations in heatwave protest
‘Heatwave, sponsored by Shell’ — The protest comes as the UK recorded the hottest day in June ever recorded at 36.7C.
Written by: Ella Glossop
An intimate window into New York’s ’70s lesbian scene
We Others — An exhibition at The Photographer’s Gallery combines Donna Gottschalk’s unearthed photographs of LGBTQ+ activists and friends, along with Hélène Gianneccini’s written histories.
Written by: Miss Rosen