Protest Rights Threatened in England and Wales

Published: 08 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The right to protest is under threat in England and Wales, with growing concerns that legal protections are being steadily eroded. Recent reports by Human Rights Watch and the cross-party organisation Justice warn that new laws are creating a chilling effect on peaceful demonstrations, threatening fundamental human rights. The focus on protest rights has intensified following arrests of anti-monarchy activists during King Charles’s coronation and the prosecution of climate and pro-Palestinian campaigners. These developments suggest a broader strategy by authorities to limit lawful protest, potentially undermining democratic accountability and civil freedoms across the country.

Both reports highlight the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023 as turning points that expanded police powers over demonstrations. Human Rights Watch emphasised that these laws enable authorities to impose restrictions based on vague criteria, including potential “serious unease” or noise levels. Justice highlighted instances where participants carrying cable ties, bike locks, or other items associated with “locking-on” tactics were arrested despite their use being entirely peaceful. These cases demonstrate how enforcement has often prioritised preemptive suppression over the protection of citizens’ protest rights.

During King Charles’s coronation, Republic activists carrying plastic ties to secure placards were detained for more than twelve hours, despite informing officers of their intentions. The Metropolitan Police later issued apologies to one protester, acknowledging the overreach. Similarly, a retired social worker, Trudi Warner, was charged for holding a small placard outside a courthouse, informing jurors of their rights. The high court dismissed the case, underlining the disproportionate nature of some policing actions.

Justice’s report drew attention to “two-tier policing,” citing last-minute restrictions imposed on farmers’ budget day protests. Human Rights Watch noted that sentences handed to Just Stop Oil activists in 2024—ranging from two to five years for planning a non-violent protest online—exemplified extreme judicial responses to peaceful activism. Even after appeal reductions, the punishments were widely criticised as excessive.

Fiona Rutherford, chief executive of Justice, described the trend as a transformation from facilitating peaceful protest to a system favouring state control. She stated that “year by year, police powers grow, and the fundamental right to protest is treated more like a privilege.” Lydia Gall of Human Rights Watch warned that the UK is adopting tactics from countries where democratic safeguards are failing, urging authorities to reverse such measures.

The organisations argue that the proposals for further restrictions—including police consideration of cumulative impacts of repeat protests, bans on face coverings, and limits near places of worship—would unduly constrain civic engagement. They stress that a degree of disruption is inevitable in democratic societies and that the law should protect, not suppress, dissenting voices.

The Home Office has responded, affirming that the right to protest is fundamental and announcing an independent review of public order legislation to ensure a balance between lawful demonstration and public safety. Critics, however, remain concerned that without repealing the most contentious laws, protest rights could continue to be eroded across England and Wales, fundamentally altering the civic landscape.

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