By Claudia O’Riordan
In the recent period we have seen a concerted effort from the ruling class to criminalise protest and an increase in state repression. Climate change activists and pro-Palestinian protestors have become targets of the state for the ‘crime’ of fighting back against a genocidal war and the destruction of the climate.
After the passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (the target of the ‘Kill the Bill’ protests) and the Public Order Act 2023, any protest that can be deemed a “nuisance” or that causes “more than minor disruption” can have severe restrictions placed upon it or even become a criminal offence. These bills were passed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, the protesting of violence against women after the murder of Sarah Everard and the actions organised by the likes of Just Stop Oil.
Increasingly, the British state is terrified of workers and young people organising on the streets and in workplaces, against the continued crises of capitalism, climate destruction and war, and is attempting to strangle movements before they pose too great a risk to the system.
Draconian sentencing
Extremely draconian sentences have been imposed on Just Stop Oil activists in recent months. A group of protestors planning an action on the M25 were sentenced to four to five years in prison, the longest sentence ever handed down for peaceful protest in this country. Two further JSO protesters received two-year sentences for throwing soup on a Van Gough painting protected by glass.
There is also the laughable case that was brought against a pregnant teacher who was protesting against the genocidal war in Gaza for holding a placard that depicted Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak as coconuts among others.
There has been a growing anger in society against the status quo and many have taken to the streets in protests and direct action to try to force the government to act.
Unfortunately, such action, particularly on the question of ending arms sales to the Israeli state, or halting new oil and fossil fuel projects, has not been able to force the government to act.
We say the power of a mass, working-class movement taking collective action and fighting for a genuine political alternative is essential to winning such demands. Despite these limitations, the attacks against peaceful protest continue to ramp up.
Fragility of British capitalism
British capitalism is in a fragile position. At the last election the Conservatives’ vote collapsed, but the new Labour government is already deeply unpopular. It is plain to see that the establishment parties have no answers for the problems we all face, whether that be everyday issues like the rising cost of living and housing, or more existential threats like climate change and war.
This is, fundamentally, because they are wedded to the system of capitalism and the constant pursuit of profit above all else. With no solutions on offer to the problems everyday working people face there is a potential for the anger and discontent already felt by millions across the country to grow. If that energy is directed towards the state with larger or more frequent protests we should expect the backlash from the establishment to become even more severe.
We cannot allow this increase in state repression to demoralise us. We need to continue protesting against all injustice wherever it arrives, but the streets are not the only arena for this fight. The trade union movement must do more than just put out statements condemning these developments, but taking action to combat the rise in state repression in the streets or the workplace. We need to show our solidarity with all victims of repression, to show these attacks won’t stop us fighting for a better world.
