Ban on the Right to Protest - 10 arrested
John | 06.12.2004 09:50 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | Repression | World
Following the ban in Manchester on the regular Saturday picket in support of Palestine outside Marks & Spencer, the police arrested 10 demonstrators.
Police ban demonstration at Marks and Spencer in Manchester: 10 arrested
On Saturday 4 December, 10 people were arrested on the regular protest at Marks and Spencer's support for the Israeli state, outside the Market Street store, central Manchester. Earlier last week the Chief Constable of Manchester had imposed a ban on pickets of the store over the Christmas and New Year period on the grounds that there are more shoppers than usual during the festive season.
Greater Manchester Chief Constable Todd banned the VTI from outside M&S arguing that it should be held in the Peace Gardens, half a mile away, and limited its numbers to 20 and its duration to 3 hours under Section 14 of the 1986 Public Order Act. The ban is due to last until 3 January 2005. In addition, the group may not demonstrate at any time other than Saturday afternoon between 12 and 3pm. Police officers informed members that a picket of the Manchester Evening News on Wednesday also fell within the terms of the ban. This is therefore a ban on a particular organisation, rather than an event. On Saturday, as the M&S demonstrators were led away under arrest, other political demonstrations and stalls were taking place in Market Street, free from police action.
VTI sent two letters to Chief Constable Todd protesting against the ban, and his failure to consult with picketers over this draconian action (see attached). VTI has held M&S pickets throughout Christmas periods for the last four years without any trouble. VTI believes that Todd’s action is both unreasonable and politically motivated. Despite these letters being sent, Manchester police have made no attempt to discuss this question with the picketers or reach any reasonable agreement about protests over the Christmas period.
The police have imposed bail conditions on some of those arrested on Saturday, although none of them have been charged with any offence. Some of the bail conditions prevent them from entering the City Centre on Saturdays until mid-January – beyond the term of the ban on demonstrations. Some of the demonstrators are forbidden from entering the City Centre at any time.
Every Saturday for the last four years, Victory to the Intifada, supporters of Palestinian liberation, have picketed Marks and Spencer, calling for a boycott of the store for its close financial and political links with the Israeli state. Underlining these links, The Guardian recently quoted overseas workers in Gaza as saying that organic produce from greenhouses that they laboured in was destined for Marks and Spencer – a completely illegal trade. On 9 December, Stuart Rose, M&S Chief Executive, will be guest of honour at the annual dinner of the British-Israeli Chamber of Commerce alongside the Israeli ambassador and the British ambassador to Israel.
For further information contact 0781 654 7066
On Saturday 4 December, 10 people were arrested on the regular protest at Marks and Spencer's support for the Israeli state, outside the Market Street store, central Manchester. Earlier last week the Chief Constable of Manchester had imposed a ban on pickets of the store over the Christmas and New Year period on the grounds that there are more shoppers than usual during the festive season.
Greater Manchester Chief Constable Todd banned the VTI from outside M&S arguing that it should be held in the Peace Gardens, half a mile away, and limited its numbers to 20 and its duration to 3 hours under Section 14 of the 1986 Public Order Act. The ban is due to last until 3 January 2005. In addition, the group may not demonstrate at any time other than Saturday afternoon between 12 and 3pm. Police officers informed members that a picket of the Manchester Evening News on Wednesday also fell within the terms of the ban. This is therefore a ban on a particular organisation, rather than an event. On Saturday, as the M&S demonstrators were led away under arrest, other political demonstrations and stalls were taking place in Market Street, free from police action.
VTI sent two letters to Chief Constable Todd protesting against the ban, and his failure to consult with picketers over this draconian action (see attached). VTI has held M&S pickets throughout Christmas periods for the last four years without any trouble. VTI believes that Todd’s action is both unreasonable and politically motivated. Despite these letters being sent, Manchester police have made no attempt to discuss this question with the picketers or reach any reasonable agreement about protests over the Christmas period.
The police have imposed bail conditions on some of those arrested on Saturday, although none of them have been charged with any offence. Some of the bail conditions prevent them from entering the City Centre on Saturdays until mid-January – beyond the term of the ban on demonstrations. Some of the demonstrators are forbidden from entering the City Centre at any time.
Every Saturday for the last four years, Victory to the Intifada, supporters of Palestinian liberation, have picketed Marks and Spencer, calling for a boycott of the store for its close financial and political links with the Israeli state. Underlining these links, The Guardian recently quoted overseas workers in Gaza as saying that organic produce from greenhouses that they laboured in was destined for Marks and Spencer – a completely illegal trade. On 9 December, Stuart Rose, M&S Chief Executive, will be guest of honour at the annual dinner of the British-Israeli Chamber of Commerce alongside the Israeli ambassador and the British ambassador to Israel.
For further information contact 0781 654 7066
John
Comments
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What law
06.12.2004 18:48
Under what law has this 'ban' being done - I seriously think that this contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights. They can impose controls on assemblies under Section 14, but as far as I'm aware, not able to ban them outright - even a ban on this under local byelaws is probably a breach of the ECHR, and the latter takes precedent
I suggest seeking a judicial review of the Chief Constable's action asap.
See also the legal advice at www.freebeagles.org -or contact solicitors such as Tim Greene, Kevin Tomlinson or Tim Walker all of whom are very experienced in dealing with protestors and the right to protest.
Ps
I also suggest that you get your arrested people to chose a dedicated firm such as those listed on freebeagles, as they know what they are doing and much more trustworthy than your average solicitor.
Email freeBEAGLES at info@freebeagles as they'll be able to fill you in further on details.
fB
Fight the Ban - Defend the Right to Protest
07.12.2004 10:56
We ask anyone who wants to defend these rights to protest to assemble at the Peace Gardens on Saturday at 12noon. Please bring banners, placards, friends, relatives and activists and tell others. Manchester has a long history of protest and we must not let let the city set a precidence for banning demonstrations.
John