A SECOND rally has been held in Durham to protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament next month.
Several hundred people attended the event in Millennium Place this afternoon.
Durham County Councillor John Clare speaking at the protest in Durham
Bearing signs with messages including "Only rogues porogue", "bollocks to Boris", "stop the coup" and "defend democracy", protestors called on the Prime Minister to rethink plans to suspend Parliament in the run up to Brexit.
It follows another demonstration, which took place on Wednesday, the day Mr Johnson made the announcement.
If the prorogation happens as expected, it will see Parliament closed for 23 working days, with the Queen's speech scheduled for October 14.
The decision has been met with a mixed response, with critics seeing the length and timing of the prorogation - coming just weeks before the Brexit deadline on 31 October - as controversial.
Durham County Councillor John Clare, who is the Labour member for Newton Aycliffe, said:" This is not about Brexit. It's the cause of thise constitutional crisis but it's not the issue.
"The issue is the attempt to muzzle Parliament."
North West Durham MP Laura Pidcock did not attend the event in Durham, but sent a message, which was read to the crowd, calling for those intending to embrace "people power".
She said: "Masses of people coming out to demonstrate. We need a movement to stop the suspension of parliament, to stop this coup, and we need a general election."
Bearpark parish councillor Geraldine Hendry said: "I've been told many things. I've been told I'm part of a liberal elite. I've been told I'm a traitor.
"I can cope with that. What I can't cope with is a right wing Prime Minister poroguing our Parliament.
"He has no mandate for it.
"It's time for all the decent people in our beautiful country, whether they voted to leave or remain, to take back control. Get out on the streets and tell them what you think and don't stop until they listen to you."
Protests have been held in towns and cities across the UK today with thousands of people taking to the streets.
More than 1,000 people are estimated to have attended a demonstration in Newcastle today.
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