Police have confiscated amplifiers and speakers used by a prolonged protest against Brexit in front of the House of Parliament, according to a new anti -protest law passed by Press Patel.
Steve Bray and his campaign group have long been on the sidewalk of Parliament Square, blowing up protest rallies and confronting Tory MPs.
But on Tuesday, police confiscated Mr Bray’s equipment, using new powers in the government’s controversial Police, Crime, Sentences and Courts Act – which went into effect at midnight.
About 15 police descended on the long demonstration this morning, warning protesters that if they resisted, they would be arrested.
Interior Minister Priti Patel’s new law has expanded a “controlled area” around parliament to include Parliament Square and other side streets where the protest was based.
The police did not waste time dealing with dissidents, confiscating the equipment only 10 hours after they were given the authority to do so.
Speaking after the incident, Mr Bray told The Independent: “They are about to arrest me if I turn on the amplifier again.”
The protester said the repression was “absolutely illegal”.
“Human rights have been replaced by harsh Tory laws. Much of this law has been aimed at people like me, XR (Extinction Rebellion). It’s shocking in a democracy when it comes to this, but it needs to be tested.” he said.
He added: “We will be back again. We already have two warnings. For the third time, they said they would arrest me … (warned of) seizure of equipment and arrest … If I put the amplifier back on. So I’m going to go with an anti-fascist song called Bella Ciao.
Asked if he was ready to be arrested, he said, “Yes.” He added: “This is not just somnambulism in a fascist state. It’s here. It’s here now. “
He said his message to the interior secretary was: “Up, Priti Patel. You are a fascist. Go to hell, Priti.
Understandably, officials warned Mr Bray that if he continued to use the equipment, it would be confiscated and that if he resisted, he would be arrested.
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