Slow demonstrators herald British Prime Minister Sunak

The Conservative British government wants to severely penalize protest tactics, such as walking slowly on motorways. “The public wants us to stop selfish saboteurs disrupting their lives – and so do I,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told The Sun on Sunday. The people of the country deserve “law-abiding citizens to be protected from a minority who want to make their lives mad.”

A ban on walking slowly to obstruct road traffic failed in the House of Lords. Secretary of the Interior Suella Braverman then issued an ordinance so that police officers can take action in the future.

In the face of large-scale protests, especially by climate protection groups from Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, the UK government has already tightened the right to demonstrate. Parliament recently cleared the way for a law that would make blocking key infrastructure, such as roads, airports and railway lines, punishable by prison sentences. In addition, it is now illegal to chain yourself up. The police can also stop and search anyone they suspect of planning “serious disturbances”. Civil rights activists warn that the conservative government is leading the country towards authoritarianism.

“The British people are in for a glorious summer of celebration,” said Sunak, referring to the coronation of King Charles III. “With our new laws, we will take action in favor of the majority against the minority,” he announced.

The opposition accused Sunak of making empty promises. The Social Democratic Labor Party said it only wanted to make headlines to distract from its failure to fight crime. The police already have all the necessary powers. (aeg/sda/dpa)