In a tweet Saturday, Johnson said the protests saw “disgraceful attacks on police officers in Bristol.”
“Our agents should not be confronted with stones, bottles and fireworks being thrown at them by a mob bent on committing violence and causing property damage,” he said.
People took to the streets Friday night – the third protest in a week – to voice their opposition to the bill, and more protests are expected in the UK throughout the weekend.
Crowds passed through Bristol city center – past the site of the now-fallen statue of slave trader Edward Colston – and ended up at Bridewell Police Station, where stones had been thrown at the station by protesters last weekend.
According to Avon and Somerset police, more than 1,000 people were in attendance and you could hear protesters shouting “peaceful protest” and “shame” to agents.
Videos circulating the online show seem to show protesters being pushed to the ground and hit with riot shields.
A Daily Mirror reporter tweeted a video of officers seemingly pulling him out of the way by force, and seemingly beating him with clubs as he shouted, “I’m press!”
Avon and Somerset police said they were aware of the video and tried to contact the concerned journalist.
Police said items such as eggs and glasses were thrown at them, fireworks were fired at their mounted area, and their shields were attempted. A total of 10 people were arrested, with dogs and horses used by officers until 1 a.m. local time.
Chief Inspector Mark Runacres said that “the majority of the people acted peacefully, but there was a minority who again showed animosity towards officers.”
Tensions were particularly high as the same police force admitted on Friday that last weekend’s reports – alleging that officers sustained injuries, including broken bones and a leaky lung from protesters – were untrue.
Fortunately, the injuries – while still serious – were not fractures or a leak in the lung. We thought the information had been verified, but that was not the case, and while we apologize for that, it was not intended to be misleading said Avon and Somerset Police. said in an updated statement.
The proposed police law, along with the violent breaking of a vigil for a murdered woman earlier this month and the arrest of a serving police officer on suspicion of her murder, has put a heavy strain on relations between the British police and much of the public. . .
Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens was charged with the kidnapping and murder of Sarah Everard, in a case that has been closely followed and sparked renewed national discussion of harassment, bullying and violence against women.
But police also became the subject of anger when they pulled a peaceful vigil to Everard in South London on March 13, appearing to force women to the ground, an approach that has led to an overhaul and criticism of pending legislation that would increase powers to dismantle protests and mass rallies in the future.
Rob Picheta contributed to reporting.