Brexit protests today – LIVE: Protesters demand Boris Johnson 'stop the coup' as thousands march across UK against parliament shutdown
‘Boris Johnson shame on you,’ marchers chant outside Downing Street
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Thousands of protesters brought central London to a standstill on Saturday, after Boris Johnson announced he planned to suspend parliament next month.
Around 80 rallies were also held in cities and towns across the UK, organised by Another Europe Is Possible, an anti-Brexit campaign group.
Demonstrators marched down Whitehall at midday and gathered outside the gates of Downing Street chanting ”Boris Johnson shame on you”.
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The prime minister announced earlier this week that he planned to suspend parliament for almost five weeks this autumn, in an unprecedented move from Downing Street.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor and Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, both spoke to the Whitehall crowds from a stage erected near Number 10.
“It is a fight to protect our democracy – we know what Boris Johnson is up to, it is not very subtle is it?” Mr McDonnell said to the gathered protesters.
He added: “Boris Johnson, this is not about Parliament versus the people, this is about you versus the people.”
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party leader, spoke to thousands of protesters demonstrating in Glasgow.
”I’m proud to be here with all of you supporting that, to say to Boris Johnson no way, it’s our parliament,” he said.
“No way do you take us out without a deal – we will stop you and give the people their rights and their say to determine their future.”
“Well think on Boris, it’s not on and we’re not having it.”
Protesters in London blocked traffic on Westminster Bridge as they demonstrated against the suspension.
“If you shut down our Parliament, we shut down your bridge,” they shouted.
Demonstrators also blocked traffic on Waterloo Bridge and near Trafalgar Square.
Organisers estimate that 100,000 people marched in London. At least three people were arrested in the capital, Scotland Yard confirmed.
A further 5,000 people marched in Bristol.
Another Europe is Possible is planning daily protests at 5.30pm, to be held every day for the foreseeable future.
Additional reporting by agencies
Hundreds of thousands are expected to take to the UK's streets today after Boris Johnson announced he would suspend parliament this autumn.
The suspension will last from early September to 14 October, an unprecedented amount of time for prorogation, which usually lasts for a few days.
Critics of the prime minister have accused him of launching an "unconstitutional coup".
Hundreds of people have brought Whitehall, in central London, to a standstill.
Protesters marched down to Downing Street and chanted "Boris Johnson shame on you'', punctuated by the clanging of a bell and blowing of
Many carried placards and European Union flags.
Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, has addressed a large crowd of protesters from a stage near Number 10.
"We are here outside 10 Downing Street trying to get Boris Johnson's attention, but let me tell you, before too long Jeremy Corbyn will be in 10 Downing Street and Boris will be gone," she said.
Some protesters demanded to know why the Labour leader himself was not at the rally.
Ms Abbott tried to rally those in front of her with the cry of "What do we want to do" - expecting a reply of "stop the coup" - but many shouted "Where is Jeremy?" instead.
The Labour MP added: "We cannot allow Boris Johnson to shut down Parliament and to shut down the voice of ordinary British people."
As she highlighted how the Tories "thought they could get away with it" and how the protesters are there to say they will not, there were sporadic cries of "how?" from those in crowd.
Here's a glimpse of the crowd outside the gates of Downing Street.
Protesters are also marching in a series of other cities today, including York, Bristol, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Swansea, Leeds and Aberdeen.
Further mass demonstrations, organised by the People's Assembly Against Austerity, are planned to take place on Tuesday to coincide with MPs returning to Westminster.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, urged Labour MPs to join the nationwide protest, calling Boris Johnson's decision to close parliament for up to five weeks an attempt "to shut down democracy".
"As elected Labour MPs across the country represent their constituents by joining in these protests, I urge other MPs to think of their constituents whose jobs and livelihoods will be put at risk in a no-deal Brexit," Mr McDonnell said.
"If Boris Johnson wants a mandate, then he should call a general election and put it to the people."
The shadow chancellor is due to address youth movements at the main London protest at Downing Street on Saturday.
More than 1,000 people have gathered in the centre of York to listen to speakers outside the Bettys tea rooms and The Ivy restaurant.
Many of those in St Helen's Square were carrying banners as well as EU and Yorkshire flags and hats.
Rachael Maskell - the Labour MP for York Central - was heckled during a speech by a lone Leave supporter from the centre of the crowd, who then argued with protesters around him.
But he left without further problems as a small number of police officers looked on.
Students and local residents have gathered in Oxford, to protest outside Boris Johnson's former university college.
"Being outside the very institution where he developed political profile with students at the college today denouncing him sends a powerful message to Johnson and the others leading this coup," said Lesley McKie, a 55-year-old Oxford resident.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has told a large crowd of protesters at Whitehall: "It is a fight to protect our democracy - we know what Boris Johnson is up to, it is not very subtle is it?
"He wants to close down our democracy and force through a no-deal Brexit."
Mr McDonnell said previous generations fought and made huge sacrifices, some giving their lives, in the fight for parliamentary democracy so they could "have their say over policies and the future of our country".
He added: "Boris Johnson, this is not about parliament versus the people, this is about you versus the people."
"More than 50 cross-party MPs have vowed to sit in an alternative House of Commons if Boris Johnson suspends parliament ahead of the Brexit deadline," reports Lizzy Buchan, The Independent's political correspondent.
"In an open letter, the opposition MPs branded the move an 'unconstitutional coup' and said parliamentarians must not allow the government to 'avoid scrutiny at this time of national crisis.'
"Tory MPs Guto Bebb and Antoinette Sandbach have signed the letter alongside Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson, Independent MP Heidi Allen, Green MP Caroline Lucas and representatives from the SNP, Plaid Cymru and The Independent Group for Change."
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