SOUTHEND town centre became the focus of a protest against Covid vaccine passports.

The event that began at Warrior Square park was part of a "Rally to Freedom" movement in England, which has already staged numerous protests across the country.

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Residents with banners, slogans and stickers met in the park to hear speeches from various people, including prominent businessman James Miller, one of the directors of Adventure Island.

They were protesting the government's plans for vaccine passport and vaccinating children.

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One of the slogans for the protest 

Vaccine passports, or passes, are being used to show proof of someone's vaccine status.

Entry to nightclubs will soon become dependent on a person's vaccine status and ministers are mulling over plans to introduce the scheme at mass events and gatherings such as football matches.

Only people aged 16 or over will be offered a Covid jab, although some experts are calling for the age limit to be lowered to 12. 

At present, there are no plans to vaccinate healthy 12 to 15 year olds.

Southend Council has also launched its "Grab a Jab" campaign to encourage young people to get their vaccine.

Mr Miller said that Adventure Island would "never" mandate its staff to take the vaccine, saying it was "irresponsible".

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James Miller giving a speech

He said: "I must confess something, I'm not a scientist, I have a masters in business and not a PHD in science, and it's not my business what to tell 16-year-olds what to put in their body.

"It's scary, companies across the world are being given this mandate to their staff and it must stop."

Mr Miller added that he and others at the protest should not "come across as zealots" and said the message should be spread further.

As he began his speech, a band at the Glasshouse Cafe in the park began playing, forcing the demonstration to move.

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Once speeches were concluded, the group march from Warrior Square to the top of Southend High Street, before proceeding along the seafront.

One set of protestors chanted: "We want freedom, we want choice, we want the government to hear our voice."

One protestor told the Echo: "We are here because we shouldn't have to have the vaccine passport to get into venues, we should have the freedom of choice, as long as it's informed choice.

"The children don't need it."

A total of 75 per cent of UK adults have now had both jabs of the vaccine, with experts say they will move "cautiously" down the age groups, with scientists wanting to learn more about any side effects of the jab.

The advice to give 16 and 17 year olds the vaccine came after a small number of serious cases of Covid in this age group.

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