Tens of thousands protest against PM’s suspension of Parliament
The area around Government buildings on Whitehall was brought to a standstill by protesters.
Large-scale protests against the Prime Minister’s controversial plan to suspend Parliament have been taking place in city centres across the country.
Chants of “shame on you” were directed at Boris Johnson by demonstrators outside Downing Street on Saturday, as streets around Westminster were brought to a standstill.
The Prime Minister should “think on”, he said, adding: “It’s not on and we’re not having it.”
There were 32 protests planned across the UK on Saturday organised by anti-Brexit campaign group Another Europe Is Possible, which has called for daily demonstrations to take place.
Protesters gathered outside Oxford University’s Balliol College, which was attended by Mr Johnson, to express their displeasure about his handling of Brexit.
Lesley McKie, who was demonstrating at the college with her family, criticised the “undemocratic actions of Boris Johnson and (senior adviser) Dominic Cummings”.
Denouncing the Prime Minister outside the institution where he established his “political profile” sends “a powerful message to Johnson and others leading this coup”, she added.
She told the crowds: “We cannot allow Boris Johnson to shut down Parliament and to shut down the voice of ordinary British people.”
After speaking at a demonstration in her Brighton constituency, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas thanked those who turned out to protest, adding: “This is what democracy looks like.”
A small group of counter-protesters also demonstrating in central London unfurled a banner reading “Brexit Now” by the Cenotaph.
The Metropolitan Police said that three people have been arrested at the demonstration in London.
Among them was London Assembly member Caroline Russell, according to a spokeswoman for the Green Party.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show the politician being led away from the crowds in handcuffs after she had been sitting and blocking the road.
Chris McHugh, 33, who works for Labour MP Liz Twist and was demonstrating in Newcastle, said the protest was about “protecting democracy”.
He added: “The fact that thousands have taken to the streets of Newcastle today is so telling.”
They were also being held in towns including Bodmin in Cornwall and Clitheroe in Lancashire.
Alena Ivanova, from Another Europe Is Possible, said: “Today’s protests are the beginning of something huge – they have been inspiring, full of youth and diversity and energy.”
She added that the daily protests must “grow into the millions” in “the centre of every town in the country”.
Opponents claimed the move was aimed at stopping discussion of Brexit and hampering cross-party efforts to block the prospect of a no-deal withdrawal from the European Union – an allegation denied by Mr Johnson.
