We Do Not Consent: Jeremy Jeffs documents London protests in powerful new photo book

Documentary filmmaker and photographer Jeremy Jeffs has turned his lens to the protests that have kicked off in London recently for his new book We Do Not Consent. Released by publishers Fistful of Books, it's a sobering look at how the police are using increasing levels of force to keep people in line.

Written By: Dom Carter

26 July 2022

Police officers in high-visibility uniforms surround and restrain a protester during a London demonstration, captured in black and white photography from Jeremy Jeffs' book We Do Not Consent

Protests and people's right to publicly object have been a subject of great concern in the UK over the last few years. From the police's treatment of women during the Sarah Everard vigil to legal amendments that will make it more difficult to protest, it's a subject of great concern and one that's close to the heart of Jeremy Jeffs.

In his new book, We Do Not Consent, which contains 43 impactful black and white photographs spread across 90 pages, Jeremy has conducted an in-depth look at London protests during the various lockdowns between 2020 and 2021. Through his candid images, Jeremy examines the use of police power, the behaviour of sometimes angry crowds, and the tactics the police use to control them.

Protesters gather around a large banner reading "Do Not Consent" during a London demonstration, captured in black and white by Jeremy Jeffs for his book

Police officers in high-visibility uniforms restrain a protester during a London demonstration, captured in black and white

Described by the publisher as initially a "cry of defiance" from anti-lockdown protesters who were confronted with a heavy-handed and often violent response from the police, We Do Not Consent has since evolved into a broader look at the authoritarian methods used by law enforcement officers.

Jeremy says: "Between May 2020 and May 2021, I took photographs of more than 27 demonstrations across London. On some days, I photographed at more than one demonstration, moving between two or three merging events, making it hard to be precise about the number photographed.

"Whilst many protests were against the imposition of Covid measures, many more were focused on issues such as climate change, food standards and the right to protest itself."

Black and white photograph of police officers restraining a protester surrounded by crowds during a London demonstration, with onlookers holding cameras and mobile phones

Overhead view of police officers restraining a young person on the ground during a London protest, captured in black and white

He adds: "Nearly all of these took place under the special police powers and restriction of movement that had been introduced during the pandemic. And nearly all of them would be severely affected by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that is currently before Parliament, which proposes, among other things, to criminalise protesters causing a disruption, for example, by being noisy or blocking a road."

Limited to 100 editions, We Do Not Consent is available to buy now from Fistful of Books for £20.