Dozens of people gathered in Canterbury to protest the Prime Minister's decision to prorogue Parliament.

The demonstration began in St Margaret's Street in the city centre at 5pm.

Reaction to Canterbury protest

It was organised by Whitstable resident Mary Sullivan, and was among many protests taking place across the country today in response to Boris Johnson's controversial move to suspend Parliament - which has been met with outrage from opponents of a no-deal Brexit.

Whitstable-based author Julie Wassmer, who attended the protest, said: "This is not a Labour party event. We are happy to stand alongside members of other parties, including Conservatives, who do not want to see our parliamentary system abused for the purpose of crashing out of the EU without a deal on October 31.

Protestors chanting in Canterbury city centre

"No deal means no future for many of us. This event is spontaneous and has been organised in haste to make our views known."

The protest was attended by members of people from as far as Folkestone and Faversham, and from various political parties.

Lib Dem MEP Anthony Hook, from Faversham, was at the event.

He said: "It's brilliant. There must be nearly 100 people here - there's every age, from my seven-month baby, to pensioners, people from all over different east Kent towns and villages, people of different political persuasions.

"It's just wonderful to see people coming together, united by one thing, which is a commitment to democracy, and to say what Boris Johnson's doing is completely wrong."

Mr Hook is one of 14 people from various groups and political parties who spoke at the event. They included Kate Adams of Kent Refugee Help, Rita O’Brien and Rory Heap of Whitstable Labour, leader of Canterbury Green Party Alex Stevens, and Carly Jeffrey of Save Our NHS in Kent (SONIK)

More than 31,000 people across Kent have signed a petition calling on the government to reverse its decision to shut down parliament.

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