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Scuffles in London as thousands join ‘kill the bill’ rallies across Britain
Thousands of demonstrators joined rallies across Britain on Saturday against a proposed law that would give police extra powers to curb protests, with some scuffles breaking out following a march in London.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill aims to toughen measures officers can take to disperse demonstrations, such as imposing time and noise limits, which campaigners and activists fear would be used to curb dissent.
“Kill the bill” marches were held in dozens of towns and cities, supported by big campaign groups such as climate change campaigners Extinction Rebellion and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Nearly all passed off peacefully but there were minor clashes in central London between protesters and police following a rally attended by several thousand people.
London’s Metropolitan Police, which deployed a large number of officers in the capital to bring the protest to an end, said there had been 26 arrests and 10 officers were injured, although none seriously.
“The vast majority of people who turned out in central London today did so while adhering to social distancing,” said Commander Ade Adelekan. “However, a small minority did not engage despite the repeated efforts of officers on the ground.
“This left us with no option but to move to an enforcement stage and arrests have been made.”
FREE SPEECH
The new bill follows action by Extinction Rebellion which paralysed parts of London in early 2019 and fuelled calls from some politicians for the police to be given tougher powers to prevent excessive disruption.
Since the proposed law was brought before parliament last month, there have been sporadic demonstrations across the country, with Saturday’s rallies being part of what organisers said was a national weekend of action.
“(I’m here) to defend the rights of free speech, and the rights of organisations in our society,” said Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the main opposition Labour Party, who was among those who took part in the London protest.
“These demonstrations, 50 of them today, will make a difference,” he told Reuters opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Much of the protest so far has been focused in the southwestern English city of Bristol. Some demonstrations there have turned violent, with officers bombarded with missiles and police vehicles set on fire, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson described as “disgraceful attacks”.
A large crowd gathered again in Bristol on Saturday evening, although the rally remained peaceful.
Some senior officers have said the “kill the bill” tag was deliberately provocative as “the bill” is a nickname in Britain for the police.
News
Fani-Kayode criticizes Israel over attack on Iran
Fani-Kayode criticizes Israel over attack on Iran
Former minister of culture and tourism, Femi Fani-Kayode, has berated the Israeli government over an alleged attack by its forces on Iran.
In a statement on his X page on Friday, Fani-Kayode accused the Israelis of staging a weak retaliation over the attack carried out by Iran against Israel.
He mentioned that the Israelis are “only good at slaughtering innocent and defenseless women and children in Gaza.”
“Poor little Israel. Sent three little micro-quadcopters that were shot down in mid-air and did not even have the guts to claim responsibility for them.
“Is that what you call a strong military response to Iran? Where is your much-touted power and strength?” Fani Kayode queried.
“I guess you are only good at slaughtering innocent and defenseless women and children in Gaza.
“When faced with the prospect of a full-scale war with Iran, you tucked your little Jewish tails between your legs and ran away. It is pitiful. Shame on you,” he added.
In another statement, Fani-Kayode, who spoke on behalf of Itamar Ben Givr, Israel’s Minister of National Security, described him as “a Zionist fanatic and a terrorist.”
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He mentioned that “Israel is the only country on earth that can allow a man who has been convicted of terrorism nine times to be appointed as a Minister, and not just a Minister but Minister of National Security.
“To put it all in context, it is like having a man who has been convicted nine times for being a Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorist as a member of our cabinet and putting him in charge of national security!
“Let this sink in and tell me if anyone can still legitimately dispute the assertion that Israel is an apartheid state that is led by fascists, religious bigots, racist fanatics, and men and women of questionable genealogy and sanity.”
The former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until recent times, has been a staunch supporter of the Israeli government in its war against Gaza.
On May 16, 2021, he called on all Christians to “stand by Israel,” saying, “It is an article of faith for all Christians to stand by Israel. There are over 100 million Christians in this country who love and revere Israel. We pray for her every day and bless her.
He added that “Israel can and will never be defeated. If provoked, she will bring all her enemies to their knees.”
Fani-Kayode criticizes Israel over attack on Iran
News
Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
The former Minister of Defence General Theophilus Danjuma has described Nigeria as a total disgrace and laughing stock to the rest of the world.
Danjuma said this on Friday in Nwonyo village in Ibi Local government area of Taraba State during his speech as the Chairman of annual Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural festival.
The elder statesman said that Nigeria is regrettably a war front and theatre of absurdities that leaves a sour taste in the minds of people in every sane society.
He maintained that it is imperative for Nigerians and Nigeria as a country to put it’s house in order and put a check on the glaring insecurity and other vices that are bedeviling the country.
According to Danjuma, “the festival stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Taraba State that we cherish and celebrate with great pride. It showcases our cultural values and serves as symbol of our unity. Let us take a moment to reflect on the significance of the occasion. It is a symbol of resilience a d determination of our people in the face of daunting challenges.
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“Let us renew our commitment to promoting peace, harmony and celebrate the bonds that unite us as one family. May this occasion be a reminder of who we are and the strength that lies in our unity.
“We must put our own house in order and have peace in our state and throughout the country if we want this to be truly an international festival. There is no sane foreigner who will come to celebrate with us if we continue to disgrace ourselves as we do.
“As we are today in Nigeria, we are a disgrace to the whole world. The whole country is a war front of our people killing our people. We are a laughing stock to the rear of the whole world. We must put our house in order. We must make our roads safe and stop kidnapping people. We must learn to live together as a country and as a people”.
In his remarks, the Taraba State Governor Dr Agbu Kefas and his remarks said that his government is committed to ensuring justice and peace so that development can take its rightful course.
Kefas maintained that Taraba State, as a nature’s gift to the nation, must be showcased to the rest of the world so that the enormous potentials of the state could be fully utilised.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Adamawa State Governor Ummaru Fintiri commended the Taraba State government for reviving the festival after Ten years of negligence and urged the people to use the occasion to unite and live harmoniously.
Nigeria has become a warfront, expect no new investors – Danjuma
News
Police say Nigerians’ hatred for cops fueling security crisis
Police say Nigerians’ hatred for cops fueling security crisis
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has said Nigerians’ deep-seated resentment for officers is affecting security in the country.
The PCRC disclosed that the hatred towards police by Nigerians mitigates against tackling the perennial security crisis that plagues the nation, saying the situation is unsettling.
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mogaji Olaniyan made this known while addressing newsmen during the 40th celebration ceremony of the Committee held in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Olaniyan bemoaned the widespread hatred, saying the PCRC is enhancing a permanent relationship between members of the community and the police in order to end the ugly narrative.
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He emphasized that this pent-up disdain must be tackled to build a healthy and cordial relationship between the people and the police, ultimately enhancing security across the nation.
He explained that parents instil the hatred of police in their children at an early as the police are used as instrument of fear to control children.
Olaniyan said “We are calling that people should love the Nigeria Police, this is what they lack right from childhood we have created enmity between our children and the Nigeria Police.
“This hatred starts from our home. For instance if parents want to scold their children they will say ‘I will call the police for you. This is why our children grow up with hatred for the police and that is why we are trying to stop this narrative.”
Olaniyan, however, called for an urgent need to address what he called widespread hatred towards the officers of the Nigeria Police.
Police say Nigerians’ hatred for cops fueling security crisis
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