Peaceful protest

Peaceful demonstrations are legal under UK law and you can attempt to achieve change through non-violent and legal demonstrations. Peaceful protests have historically played a significant role in shaping political change in the UK, serving as a fundamental expression of democratic rights and civil liberties. Throughout history, peaceful protests have influenced public opinion, mobilised support for social and political causes, and pressured governments to enact policy reforms.

Anti-war protests: The UK has seen significant anti-war protests in response to various military interventions and conflicts, including the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021). The Stop the War Coalition, among other groups, organised mass demonstrations, rallies, and marches to oppose UK involvement in these conflicts. While these protests did not prevent the government from participating in these wars, they galvanised public opposition, shaped public discourse, and influenced political debates about foreign policy decisions.

Civil Rights movement: Inspired by the American Civil Rights Movement, activists in the UK organised peaceful protests and demonstrations to challenge racial discrimination and inequality. The Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963, led by the Bristol West Indian Parents and Friends Association, successfully pressured the Bristol Omnibus Company to end its discriminatory employment practices. Additionally, the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott and the 1965 Race Relations Act were pivotal moments in the struggle for racial equality in the UK, highlighting the power of non-violent resistance in effecting political change.

Climate change activism: In recent years, the UK has witnessed a surge in climate change activism, with groups like Extinction Rebellion Cymru organising large-scale peaceful protests and acts of civil disobedience to demand urgent action on climate change. These protests have succeeded in raising public awareness about the climate crisis, putting pressure on policymakers to adopt more ambitious environmental policies, and prompting declarations of climate emergencies by local and national governments.

Women’s suffrage movement: The campaign for women’s suffrage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw numerous peaceful protests, marches, and demonstrations across the UK. Campaigners organised rallies, hunger strikes, and non-violent civil disobedience tactics to demand voting rights for women. These peaceful protests (alongside, it should be noted, more radical or militant campaigning) raised public awareness about the injustice of women’s disenfranchisement and pressured the government to grant limited voting rights to women in 1918 with the Representation of the People Act. Full suffrage for women over 21 was achieved in 1928.

How to take action