By Epigram Reporters
A photo essay from Bristol’s third ‘Kill the Bill’ protest, which yet again descended into violent scenes. The demonstration was the third to take place in Bristol in less than a week and began with a gathering on College Green before protestors were pushed back from Bridewell Police station from around 10pm.
Protestors gathered on College Green from 4pm, waving placards, playing music and singing.
Just before 5pm, protestors were seen on the move towards Cabot Circus and the centre of Bristol.
As protestors approached the town centre, police formed lines blocking the streets from which the Bridewell police station could be accessed, a precautionary measure after last Sunday's protest turned violent and resulted in damage to police property.
The crowds then redirected, heading towards Castle Park, looping back around St Nicholas' Market and finally heading down Lewins Mead. Some protestors continued to walk around Cabot Circus, back to Castle Park.
Some protestors then staged a sit in between Primark, Cabot Circus and the Bayhorse, just opposite the Bridewell police station. Police lines remained strong between the station and crowd.
As it got dark, protestors handed out daffodils and continued to chant at police lines.
As it got later protestors became more vocal, with some taunting and verbally abusing the police lines. A few in the crowd threw eggs, with one covering a police officer.
Just before 9pm, the police guard changed and a line of police in full riot gear, with riot shields, were brought out.
From just after 9.30pm, the police began to push back against protestors.
Violent scuffles continued as police, both on foot and on horseback, broke up the protest group by pushing them back and blocking off the roads of cabot circus. There was evidence of force on both sides, as protestors threw bottles, cans and other missiles and police used batons and riot shields to control protesters.
A large proportion of the crowd then dispersed, but a few remained, taunting police, blocking vans and throwing paintbombs and fireworks at police on horse back.
Events ended after midnight as the lasts arrests were made and the police left having successfully broken up the protest crowd.
According to Avon and Somerset Police, ten arrests were made throughout the events of the night.
The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson released a statement on Saturday morning in support of Bristol's police and the city.
For more coverage of last night's protest, see our full article.
Featured: Epigram / Rufus Atkins
If you have any images from the protest last night that you would like to send in then please contact us at editor.epigram@gmail.com.
