Kill the Bill protests: M32 motorway closed in Bristol after 100 demonstrators ‘sit down on road’

‘The group have marched onto the M32 and are currently sat on the carriageway’, police say

Around 100 people blocked off part of a major motorway near Bristol in the latest round of Kill the Bill protests.

Avon and Somerset Police said part of the M32 motorway had been closed to traffic after protesters sat on the road at around 10pm.

The group have since left the area, returning to the city centre where their protest is expected to continue.

It follows several nights of direct action in and around the city prompted by the introduction of legislation that would allow for the criminalisation of any protest action deemed to be causing a public nuisance.

The force tweeted: “The group have marched onto the M32 and are currently sat on the carriageway.

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“The motorway has subsequently been closed to inbound traffic at Junction 3 in the interests of safety.”

Bristol has served as a flash point for opposition to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court Bill - a vast piece of legislation that has triggered marches and sit ins across the country in particular for its potential to curtail protest action.

Saturday saw the fifth protest in the city over the proposals, with earlier events marred by accusations of heavy handed policing as well as disturbances including police vehicles being set alight and fireworks being let off towards officers.

The latest day of action began with protesters organised a flash mob on the city’s College Green, a display that made use of intepretive dance and an unflattering portrayal of home secretary Priti Patel.

Across the day More than 1,000 people attended Bristol’s protest action, according to the police, with the force saying that officers had sought to “engage with protesters” and to ensure the demonstration took place peacefully.