This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/aug/31/brexit-stopthecoup-protests-uk-proroguing

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brexit: thousands turn out for #stopthecoup protests across UK - live Brexit: thousands turn out for #stopthecoup protests across UK - live
(32 minutes later)
Footage of the demo outside Downing Street Anti-Brexit campaign group Another Europe Is Possible has called for daily demonstrations.
Alena Ivanova, from the group, said: “Today’s protests are the beginning of something huge - they have been inspiring, full of youth and diversity and energy.”
She added the daily protests must “grow into the millions” in “the centre of every town in the country”.
From my colleague Simon Murphy at the demo in London
Guardian columnist Owen Jones made a passionate speech, asking crowd: “Are we going to stop our unelected prime minister thrashing our democracy like the Bullingdon club would trash restaurants?” pic.twitter.com/tqGlJDccYS
Several hundred protesters braved the wet weather to gather in Birmingham’s Victoria Square to hear speeches opposing the proroguing of Parliament.
Labour’s West Midlands MEP Neena Gill told the crowd: “When I heard what was going on this week, I was actually gobsmacked.
“Boris may think he can shut down Parliament, but he cannot shut down the people.”
Hitting out at “right-wing Brexiteers” who she claimed aim to roll back hard-won rights and change the face of Britain, Gill added: “No-deal Brexit will be a complete catastrophe for this country and this region.”
Anti-Brexit demonstrators then marched along nearby New Street, Temple Street and Waterloo Street - with a handful of by-standers shouting pro-Brexit slogans, including a group of men chanting “Boris Johnson’s barmy army”.
From the demo in Brighton
#defendourdemocracy #stopthecoup The Level, Brighton pic.twitter.com/GlgQXaWKmc
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell labelled Boris Johnson a “dictator” in a stinging attack as he addressed crowds outside Downing Street.
Referencing Jeremy Corbyn’s absence from the rally — which earlier prompted cries of “where’s Jeremy?” from protesters — McDonnell said the brought a “message of solidarity” from the Labour leader.
He went on to attack the prime minister’s move to suspend Parliament, saying it had had “rightfully” been called “a very British coup”, adding: “We have defeated dictators in the past in our history and we will defeat this dictator under Johnson.”
Earlier, he said: “This is a fight to protect our democracy. We know what Johnson is up to, it’s not very subtle, is it? He wants to close down our democracy to force through a no-deal Brexit.”
He added: “He also wants to try and convene a general election based upon this idea of his, he can frame it as people versus Parliament. Let’s make it absolutely clear... Boris Johnson, this is not about Parliament versus the people, this is about you versus the people.”
Meanwhile, Shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler, wearing a “defend democracy” sticker, geed up the crowd, chanting: “Wanna know what democracy looks like? This is what democracy looks like.”
After speaking at a demonstration in her Brighton constituency, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas thanked those who came out to protest.
“This is what democracy looks like,” she tweeted. “This is about more than Brexit.
“A democracy worthy of name isn’t one where power is hoarded at the top.
“We need a CitizensConvention to put people at heart of our politics, not feral elites.”
My colleague Dan Sabbagh is at the protest in central London
From the Whitehall demo pic.twitter.com/8YZaInXo7J
Around 2000 protesters marched through Bristol city centre, bringing traffic to a standstill.
People gathered at College Green and looped around the city, through the middle of the Broadmead shopping area and back to meet at Bristol Cenotaph.
They shouted “What do we want? Democracy! When do we want it? Now!”, “Boris Johnson, shame on you” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Boris Johnson’s got to go”.
Footage of the demos across the UK
Fantastic turnout for the protest against Cummings' and Johnson's prorogation.Not in our name. #SaturdayMorning#DefendOurDemocracy #DefendDemocracy#StopTheCoup #BlockTheCoup #StopTheBrexitCoup pic.twitter.com/ODggLn3xWUFantastic turnout for the protest against Cummings' and Johnson's prorogation.Not in our name. #SaturdayMorning#DefendOurDemocracy #DefendDemocracy#StopTheCoup #BlockTheCoup #StopTheBrexitCoup pic.twitter.com/ODggLn3xWU
Thousands of people have gathered in George Square in the centre of Glasgow at a People’s Assembly Defend Democracy rally against the prorogation of Parliament and calling for a general election.Thousands of people have gathered in George Square in the centre of Glasgow at a People’s Assembly Defend Democracy rally against the prorogation of Parliament and calling for a general election.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is expected to be among the speakers, ending his three-day visit to Scotland.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is expected to be among the speakers, ending his three-day visit to Scotland.
From my colleague Simon Murphy at the protest in London..From my colleague Simon Murphy at the protest in London..
A young Italian couple who live in Britain also took to the stage with their two young children to convey their disgust at the suspension of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/z53kLzZs0fA young Italian couple who live in Britain also took to the stage with their two young children to convey their disgust at the suspension of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/z53kLzZs0f
Demonstrators have begun to march to the opposite side of Westminster Bridge, shouting: “If you shut down our Parliament, we shut down your bridge.”
Okay this is the best sign here #DefendOurDemocracy #StopTheCoup pic.twitter.com/89s3claLQA
NHS pharmacist Bridie Walton, 55, joined protesters in Exeter and condemned the prime minister’s decision to prorogue Parliament, saying: “Nobody voted for a dictatorship.”
He added: “These are the actions of a man who is afraid his arguments will not stand scrutiny.
“Before the Brexit vote I’d never been to a demo in my life... [I am] watching a nastier world emerge.”
Protesters outside Downing Street
Anti-Brexit activists gathered outside City Hall in Belfast to protest against the suspension of Parliament.
Dozens of demonstrators chanted “stop the coup” while several activists addressed the crowd, condemning Boris Johnson’s move.
Susie Burlace, an English woman who has lived in Northern Ireland for six years, drew inspiration from Oscar Wilde with a placard stating: “To lose one government is a misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness - or a coup.”
Brenda Gough, from west Belfast, was one of those who had promoted the event. “My concern is we are supposed to live in a democracy, whether you voted Remain or Leave,” she said.
Crowds gathered in Cathedral Gardens in Manchester swelled to several thousand. Among the speakers were the Labour MEP Julie Ward and broadcaster Paul Mason.
Mason, a former BBC Newsnight and Channel 4 News correspondent, encouraged the crowd to chant “Stop the Coup”. A short distance away, a small group of pro-Brexit supporters stood outside the National Football Museum, with a line of about 20 police officers watching on.
Behind the officers, people jeered and shouted “Bollocks to Brexit”, as one man sang “One Boris Johnson, there’s only one Boris Johnson” into a loudhailer.
An estimated 1,200 people gathered in the Market Square in Cambridge and heard speeches from across the political parties, Unite, Unison and other unions. Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings were booed heavily like pantomime villains. One person shouted: “Off with his head” about Boris, referring to Charles I proroguing parliament. People were waving EU flags and anti-racist banners. Most popular message was unite to kick the Tories out and stay in the EU.
Activists have been showing their solidarity overseas
There are 32 planned protests taking place across the UK. Demonstrators gathered outside Oxford University’s Balliol College, which was attended by Boris Johnson, to voice their displeasure about his handling of Brexit. Lesley McKie, who was 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.
Simon Murphy has been speaking to people at the march. Here is his take:
Thousands protest against Boris Johnson's parliament shutdown