UK SOCPA Newswire Archive
Merchants Of Death Guided Tour
04-06-2008 16:39
A brief report on the Merchants of Death Guided Tour the London arm of Campaign Against the Arms Trade carried out todayFight Speciesism #1 - Out Now!
02-06-2008 22:34
Versions to read and print are available below.
Support Freedom of Speech - Support Sean!
30-05-2008 16:44
On May 30, 2008, Sean Kirtley was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for conspiring to "interfere with contractual relationships so as to harm an animal research organisation" after the longest animal rights trial in history.Home Secretary told “end police surveillance of journalists” - NUJ
29-05-2008 15:23
The NUJ has called for Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to put an end to police surveillance of journalists.Support Sean in court - Fri 30th May
24-05-2008 19:45
Please support Sean Kirtley when he is sentenced - Coventry Crown Court, Friday 30th May, 10amThe Rule of (Their) Law: Repression of Political Protest Beyond SOCPA
22-05-2008 13:46
This is a summary of other legislations being now used to repress free assembly and political protest in the UK, apart from the one contained under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Sections 128-138 and 145-149)Support Animal Liberation Prisoner Sean Kirtley (New site and MySpace)
19-05-2008 23:28
Our friend and fellow Sequani activist Sean Kirtley was remanded and awaits sentencing in relation to the 18 week Sequani trial and Operation Tornado.SOCPA: Rebalancing your rights, unravelling the "repeal"
15-05-2008 13:14
The government wants your help (well, mainly the police and MPs, but it looks better this way) to restrict freedom to protest in new soundbite friendly ways, in particular to "prevent permanent demonstrations in Parliament Square":"JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL RENEWAL BILL
CALL FOR EVIDENCE
The two Houses of Parliament have established a Joint Committee to examine and
report on the Government’s Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Cm 7342) published
on 25 March 2008. The committee has been ordered to report by 18 July.
At its first meeting on 7 May the Committee elected Michael Jabez Foster MP as
Chairman.
Members’ declared interests are available on the Committee’s website:
www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/jcdcrb.cfm
The Committee expects to take oral evidence up to mid-June."
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/Cfe080509.pdf
Full article | 1 addition | 3 comments
Sequani Trial Update - One Remanded - Three not guilty so far...
14-05-2008 22:45
One of our friends Sean Kirtley was remanded in custody today after a jury found him guilty of Conspiracy to interfere with contractual relationships so as to harm animal research organisation. Rose Golding, Gemma Astbury and Wendy Clark have been found not guilty. Pauline Burgess and Jo Goodyear should have a verdict tomorrow.Policing and Protest: Committee Call For Evidence
09-05-2008 23:15
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has put out a call for evidence in relation to UK policing and protest. They specifically cite SOCPA and the prosecution of Maya Evans as an example of 'concerns' that have been 'borne out'. It's a chance to show them what we already know. The deadline for submissions is Monday 9 June 2008.Sequani trial update
09-05-2008 18:33
4.10pm Jury and defendants sent home until Monday 12th May @ 10.00am court 9 Birmingham crown court.No verdict was given today.
Today May 9th marks the 2nd anniversary of the police raids on animal activists homes.
Defendants have been on bail now for 2 years to this day.
SOCPA: Met Police's consultation response
09-05-2008 12:07
Key quotes:"The MPS believes that it should be a matter for Parliament to decide if there are any geographical areas where protest should not be allowed [...] such as the footway immediately adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, might also impact so adversely on access to the Palace of Westminster and therefore on the smooth running of Government that Parliament may wish to decide that it should be ruled out as a site for protest in the amended legislation."
"The use of the undefined term ‘demonstration’ in the SOCPA provisions has caused difficulties. The MPS believes that prior notification for assemblies in the defined area above should rely upon the current definition of assembly under the POA and should only apply when two or more people intend to assemble."
"The concept of ‘authorisation’ for any protest should be removed. [...] However, given recent challenges that the MPS has faced in dealing with SOCPA, it believes that the legislation must make it clear that the onus is on those protesting to show that they have complied with the notification requirements."
"The MPS believes that the POA should be amended so that the flexibility that currently applies to conditions on processions also applies to assemblies."
"the MPS believes that the Public Order Act should be amended to allow appropriate and proportionate conditions to be imposed on any procession or assembly taking place anywhere on the grounds of security."
"Sessional Orders, which are orders passed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, place a duty on the Commissioner to ensure that access to Parliament is kept free of obstruction. However, these orders do not create any additional police powers [...] The powers available under this Act are very limited, are increasingly being challenged by protestors and do not provide any statutory framework to place conditions on processions and assemblies."
"Parliament Square is a World Heritage Site. [...] This area also attracts large numbers of protestors who hold very strong views and beliefs and some of their activities and behaviour may not be compatible with this vision [...] Government needs to define in the amended legislation any activities or behaviours they see as being unacceptable in this area."
"the MPS is increasingly having to deal with those who choose to protest in the SOCPA area in situations where a power of arrest does not exist [...] The MPS believes that a power to arrest should exist to prevent individuals continuing to commit an offence after they have been formally reported for it. This could be achieved by an amendment to s24(5) PACE."
"the MPS believes [...] it should also have the power to apply conditions on those protests comprising of only one person. [...] There is no obvious reason why this power, to impose conditions on a lone demonstrator, should be limited to the new designated area."
"the MPS believes that the POA should be amended to allow conditions to be placed on any procession or assembly or lone protestor to prevent a security risk wherever it takes place in the country."
Next Campaign for Free Assembly public meeting:
Sunday 11th May 2-4pm
London School of Economics Connaught House
Room H101
Map:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/mapsAndDirections/
SOCPA: Greater London Authority's consultation response
08-05-2008 15:11
Key quotes:"there have been three public gatherings on Parliament Square Garden with approval from the GLA since the introduction of SOCPA from 1 August 2005 until 30 November 2007."
"It may be appropriate to develop criteria to distinguish between assemblies and marches to focus on timing, scale, size, and information on organisers requesting permissions, for example."
"The impact on the Authority’s ability to manage the permanent protests and camping around Parliament Square has required a significant resource investment to prevent low level disorder issues"
"Trafalgar Square has a long and established historical tradition as a place to protest as opposed to Parliament Square, which does not have the same historical or symbolic character."
"if a protest takes place it will inevitably limit the public uses of the square, and the protests should be limited in duration."
Next Campaign for Free Assembly public meeting:
11th May 2-4pm
London School of Economics Connaught House
Room H101
Map:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/mapsAndDirections/
SOCPA: Westminster Council's consultation response
08-05-2008 10:05
Key quotes:"The City Council would propose that consideration be given to prohibiting the use of loudspeakers in Parliament Square and excluding the local authority’s power to grant consent."
"The City Council would propose that the police should consult the City Council before granting consent for a demonstration and for them to be required to have regard to any representations made."
"Parliament Square is one of the most prestigious, visited and photographed squares in the world and is a place the City Council is rightly proud of. The City Council recognises all individuals’ right to peaceful protect, but the extent and manner of such protest can often have a disproportionate detrimental effect on amenity. The south side of Parliament Square is often an eyesore; a blot on the landscape."
Next Campaign for Free Assembly public meeting:
11th May 2-4pm
London School of Economics Connaught House
Room H101
Map:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/mapsAndDirections/ SOCPA - hospital interview with brian haw
06-05-2008 11:44
Full article | 3 additions | 9 comments
SOCPA - brian haw arrested in parliament square
05-05-2008 17:05
brian was arrested early this afternoonFreedom to Protest and the Repeal of SOCPA
05-05-2008 14:53
After the Government announced its intention to repeal sections 132-38 of SOCPA, It seems another consultation on our freedom to assemble and protest is on its way. The House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights has just launched a ‘Call for Evidence’ in order ‘to enquire into the human rights issues arising from policing and protest’ [1].Full article | 1 addition | 1 comment
Brian and Barbara attacked in Parliament Square
03-05-2008 15:06
The attacks took place late last night with police and CCTV looking on.Freedom to Protest: What Does the Proposed Repeal of Sections 132-38 of SOCPA Re
01-05-2008 08:47
An analysis of the result of the Goverment consultation 'Managing Protest Around Parliament' and the possible outcome from the call for evidence by the House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights addressing the issues of policing and protest.