Help us to defend protest rights from attack

Aim: Supporting individuals and organisations to speak out against injustice and have their voices heard.

Donate now to help Liberty defend the fundamental right to protest.

Protest isn’t a gift from the State – it’s our right. But people’s ability to take to the streets to challenge injustice is under threat. We need to raise £15,000 so we can support people to know their rights and stay safe when standing up to power. 

Protest empowers communities to stand up to injustice, influence decision makers and play an active part in democracy between elections. 

But years of Government and police attacks on the right to protest have led to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The Bill will give police even more powers to shut down protests and will criminalise people for taking to the streets to challenge injustice. It is an assault on one of the fundamental building blocks of our democracy, and yet another cynical attempt from the Government to hide from accountability for its actions. 

These dangerous plans have sparked months of ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstrations which have been met by a heavy-handed police response that has seen hundreds of people arrested and fined for standing up to power.

It is vital that everyone attending a protest knows their rights, knows the risks, and is able to stay safe.

We need to raise £15,000 so we can support people to know their rights and challenge injustice safely.

The money we raise will be used for:

• Campaigning tools and support - £5,000: We will support grassroots organisations to support those groups most at risk of further marginalisation by the Government’s Policing Bill. 
• Providing advice, information and resources - £5,000: We will produce tailored advice for protest groups both online and as small carry cards handed to demonstrators, so they are aware of their rights.  
• Legal advice to groups who want to protest - £5,000: We will provide legal advice and information in a practical and accessible way to specific marginalised groups. 

A donation at any level you can afford will help us reach our target and support people to know their rights and stay safe when standing up to power.

*The Civil Liberties Trust (1024948) is the charitable arm of Liberty and exists to support its work.