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Police presence at transgender-related protests

BBC A line of police in front of counter protestors supporting the transgender communityBBC
About 150 counter-protestors, supporting the transgender community, were in attendance

A large group of police officers gathered in a city centre to keep two opposing groups apart during protests.

The Let Woman Speak rally on College Green, Bristol, saw about 100 supporters come together to listen to speeches about issues affecting women. This was followed by about 150 people joining a counter-protest called Protect Our Queer Streets, to support the transgender community.

Organiser Kellie-Jay Keen, who is known for her opposition to some transgender rights, was one of the speakers at the rally.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said their presence in the city centre was to maintain peace between the groups with opposing ideologies.

Kellie-Jay Keen wearing white shades and a dark top standing in front of placards and people and talking into a microphone
One rally was organised by the group Let Women Speak

Some protestors were seen wearing face coverings, carrying placards and banners.

The Let Women Speak group based themselves near the Marriott Hotel and the Protect Our Queer Streets group stood on the green.

A line of police officers then created a human wall between the two groups.

"The aim of the police presence is to balance the rights of all protestors with those of the wider community and enable peaceful protest," a police spokesperson added.

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