Sheffield G8 - Protest for the Right to Protest

Around 80 people turned up at Devonshire Green to protest for the right to protest. A number of people dressed up in orange boiler suits as guantanamo detainees, while others held blank banners to highlight how civil liberties both in the UK and around the world are being dismantled rapidly under the guise of advancing the "war on terror" and blocking popular dissent against those in power.

Devonshire Green - Right to Protest Protest

The protest was initially in reponse to the decisions taken by police to deny people the right to protest against the G8 Ministers through the city centre. A protest pen was the only option conceded by police to ensure that any dissent was invisible and as ineffective as possible. A late concession was made by the police to the Stop the War Coalition, who negogiated a protest pen limited to 100 people nearer the Winter Gradens, where the Ministers were dining that night. Some have humourously referred to this as the new phenomenon of "imbedded protestors".

Later as the numbers swelled on Devonshire Green, people wrote their own messages for the G8 on their blank banners and placards and headed off into town, linking up with the critical mass and ignoring any notion of a designated protest pen.

helen

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Backed down

16.06.2005 00:23

The police seemed to back down massively from their earlier plans to stiffle all dissent. This may well have been in response to a recent council meeting where a heated debate took place about the right to protest and the police plans.

protester

from the Yorkshire Post

16.06.2005 07:53

G8 march-ban protesters to gather in handcuffs
William Green

http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1055087

Political Correspondent
ANTI-globalisation campaigners will handcuff and gag themselves today in protest at a ban on a march through Sheffield against the G8 meeting being held in the city.

Protesters plan to make a silent stand for the right to demonstrate after police turned down requests for a march to coincide with the arrival of justice Ministers from the G8 group of rich nations.

Campaigners initially feared they would be kept on Devonshire Green, some way from the Winter Gardens where the Ministers will be welcomed at a reception this evening.

A protest by 100 people has now been given the go-ahead in Tudor Square, closer to tonight's event, but some feel their right to demonstrate has been muted.

And they will gather peacefully at Devonshire Green handcuffed and gagged, with blank banners, from 5.30pm, in a symbolic gesture they see as criticising the council's lack of consultation with the people of Sheffield about the meeting and the police's suppression of meaningful protest.

Local GP Julie White, who will be joining them, said: "The right to peaceful protest is surely basic to democracy. That this is infringed when the Justice Ministers are here stinks of hypocrisy."

A collection of local groups will be raising their voices together in dissent during the G8's three days in Sheffield. A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the force had stated earlier that it would not allow a march in the city centre during the G8 meeting but had facilitated such a protest last Saturday.

It was aware of today's protest at Devonshire Green but had confidence in an agreement with protesters that it would not need to take extra powers during the conference.

15 June 2005

steve

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28.06.2005 16:24

great action:)

feelix

UK Indymedia

Sheffield G8 - Protest for the Right to Protest

Comments

Backed down

from the Yorkshire Post

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