Demonstrators to descend on Doncaster for Kill The Bill protest this weekend

Campaigners will gather in Sir Nigel Gresley Square from 11am on Saturday as part of a nationwide series of demonstrations againsy the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which will allow the police to use new powers against protests.

The event, organised by Doncaster People's Assembly will see speakers from that organisation as well as Black Lives Matter address the crowd.

A spokesman said: “We will not be silenced.

"The Police and Crime Bill is an attack on democratic freedoms. If passed it would prevent protesters from making noise, and would disallow a protest if a single person suffers “serious annoyance” – and, scarily leaves much of the decision making to the police.”

The PCSC Bill is designed to introduce new police powers and review the rules around crime and justice across England and Wales.

It proposes wide-ranging new police powers when it comes to protests, such as the ability to impose “conditions” on any protest which is deemed to be disruptive to the local community and up to 10 years in prison for damaging memorials, such as statues.

Other new measures include increased jail sentences for assaults on emergency workers and child murderers.

Protesters are angry that the Bill will allow police to impose “conditions” — widely seen to mean restrictions or outright bans — on protests if their actions cause “serious annoyance” to the surrounding community, organisations and businesses.

It could mean the police placing start and finish times on protests, or shutting down protests if they restrict access in and out of Parliament. Anyone who does not stick to these conditions could be fined £2,500.

Protests are designed to attract attention to a cause or issue and the most effective way to do that is by being as noisy and visible as possible. Opponents to the Bill say its vague wording could mean it is used to stamp out any and all dissent.

There have already been a number of protests in other towns and cities across the country, with police clashing with protesters and arrests made at some of the demos.