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Parliament protests still go ahead

ekes | 07.08.2005 16:25 | SOCPA | Anti-militarism | Repression | London

Around 100 people demonstrated outside the Houses of Parliament for two hours. Five people were arrested as police tried to enforce the new law preventing assembly outside the building.

Protestors unfurl banner on the green outside parliament
Protestors unfurl banner on the green outside parliament

Police move in and leaflet people sat on the green
Police move in and leaflet people sat on the green

Final sit down protest
Final sit down protest


Many of the protestors came from the anti-war movement, with Brian Haw and his still legal demonstrations to back up their voices. The police stood around watching the illegal demonstration for an hour. After this the police moved in en mass leafletting people either demonstrating or just sitting on the green enjoying the sunny day. They then proceeded to arrest 5 people - to cries of "Shame on You".

The demonstration continued after the arrests, finishing two hours after it began with a final sit down.

ekes

Comments

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Thanks to all those who risked arrest for the sake of our freedom

07.08.2005 19:30

I'm totally behind this action. We can't let this stand - and to be honest I don't think it's enforceable. I see another embarrassing government U-turn in the offing. All they're doing is giving people more reasons to demonstrate outside Parliament.

It seems as if the police have a policy of always arresting five or six people, and leaving everyone else alone. So if 100 people show up each time, the average demonstrator only has a 5% chance of being arrested. I like those odds...

The six people who got arrested today are going to face a lot of hassle for standing up for their principles. It takes a lot of guts to do what they've done - all credit to them.

Friar Tuck