A day of protests

Hundreds gathered at Parliament Square yesterday to protest the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill currently working its way through the Lords.

Protester at Kill the Bill Rally

Shami Chakrabarti and Bell Ribeiro Addy were among the speakers at the rally. The organisation of speakers was a little shambolic, as two sets spoke concurrently for no apparent reason on the same subject.

The demonstration then made its way to Trafalgar Square. Where they were permitted to share space with a Haitian event already rallying at the Square.

As they rallied a demonstration of thousands protesting the current situation in Afghanistan passed the Square and proceeded down Whitehall with signs that read: Save Afghan Women and Stop a Proxy Afghanistan War.

Protesters demonstrating about the situation in Afghanistan

Had it not been raining I wonder if turn out for all the different events may have been larger. Although perhaps the police bill and the situation in Afghanistan feel like a done deal to many.

The Overseas Operations Bill continues its reading in the Lords

The Overseas Operations Bill is at its second reading in the House of Lords, at this point there is nothing the British public can do to stop its passing.

It hasn't reached the Committee stages yet, so it still isn't ratified in its original form.

In its original form it is alleged it provides a level of immunity for torture and war crimes, though Ben Wallace, the defence secretary denies that it will contravene the aims of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Liberty is very critical of this bill and have been following its passage through the houses very closely, as are many MPs now.

Labour came out strongly against the bill in its third reading in the House of Commons.

Everything now rests in the hands of the unelected second chamber.