Defend Freedom to Protest

Emma | 03.08.2005 20:16 | Repression | London

The latest legislation which will be used to repress protest is the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act which comes into full force on 1 August 2005. This Act amends previous harrassment and trespass legislation as well as banning all unauthorised protests for about a half a mile around Parliament, requiring that organisers of a protest request permission from the Metropolitan Commissioner 6 days in advance (or 24 hours in not 'reasonably practicable') and allowing him to place potentially stifling restrictions on protests.

Sections 132-138 of SOCP Act were brought in to remove Brian Haw from his continuous peace protest opposite the Houses of Parliament. Brian Haw has been demonstrating against the suffering caused by this government's foreign policy towards Iraq - economic sanctions, invasion and occupation - since June 2001.

Ironically, a High Court hearing on 29 July 2005 found that the law did not apply to Brian because prior authorisations is only necessary for demonstrations that 'start' after 1 August. But this law still affects everyone else who may want to protest in Whitehall, opposite Parliament, or in a large area of Westminster. Even the London Eye is part of the 'designated area'. The weekly anti-war community picket [leaflet] is likely to be quickly targeted.

This new law amounts to the police making political decisions as to who may protest - and how - near Parliament. Campaigners will be openly and peacefully defying the Act in a series of demonstrations at the beginning of August. [Photos and Reports 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 ]

There will be a Mass Act of Defiance for the Right to Protest on Sunday 7 August at 12 noon in Parliament Square. Apparently other people may be in the area in a non demonstrating capacity.
Sunday: Reports and Photos [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] | Arrests | Video

Website coordinating the protests with loads of useful info about the new law. Other Legal Notes.

Restrictions that can be imposed include where and when the protest may take place, how long it can last and how many people can attend, how much noise can be made and the number and size of banners or placards used.

A network of activists are organising a Freedom to Protest Conference on 23 October 2005 in London.

Emma

Comments

Hide the following 15 comments

parliament square permission to demonstrate granted

05.08.2005 16:32

I have applied to met police to protest corner Parliament Suare every Sunday 12 noon to 4pm to expose Blair TREASON and permission was granted.

My placard says

Sharon blair bush have done
Twin Towers crime to launch
their War on Terror.

I accuse Tony Blair of TREASON

I want Blair to answer TREASON
at Bow Street Court of Law.

paul pawlowski

Violation of human rights?

06.08.2005 10:26

Out of curiousity, shouldn't this new law be thrown out by the European Court of Human Rights?

Thom Brown

themoreitchangesthemoreitstaysthesame

07.08.2005 19:46

strange how many more people there were at this protest than at the one months ago BEFORE this was made law, when protest could have actually had a direct impact on the decisions of the mps discussing the bill. Never mind though, from the photo's it looks like a nice sunny day, the perfect chance to get all self-righteous and wave a few banners.
"a fascist state does not come over night, but piece by piece"
George Orwell

cynicalbarstool

placards

08.08.2005 14:00

Most people didn't wave any placards at all. It's illegal now you know...

The fuzz stole all the other placards that weren't being waved. Every time one was waved, it was conviscated and the few people (5) who didn't want to surrender their placards were lifted.

It appeared nice and sunny, but really it was dark and gloomy.

Sean

The 21st Century

09.08.2005 11:02

I felt I must comment on Seans previous entry. Do you really have to conform to what the general public ( the majority- but that's not important to you guys) concieves your groups are: modern variants of the old hippy culture. Jesus! When did anyone last call the police 'the fuzz' with a straight face? Serious Loss of Cred' warning

Plain Joe Schmo

fuzz

09.08.2005 12:54

Sorry Plain Joe

I'm over from a small town in Australia and aren't as super cool with the new slang and lingo as I might wish. Sorry if I've ruined your day. Hey, maybe you could ban foreign languages from being spoken here too?

09.08.2005 14:00

I do apologise if I have offended your small town sensibilities. I am unable to spot the link between my poor attempt at humour and your analogy of foreign laguages, but I will comment just for the cause of debate. I think you would find if we tried to ban the use foreign languages in our country, the MAJORITY of the country would complain.

However, perhaps if the countries where some of these languages originated were visited by yourself Sean, I have no doubt they would see that their particular regimes of political, social, religious and sexual repression were wrong and take your guidance. But then again why pick easy targets when this country has got it all so wrong and they have the path of enlightement. Better still, take a partner of either sexual orientation and really see the path of tolerance.

Crazy Maker Alert

09.08.2005 14:59

Joe Schmo,

I'm not really sure what you're talking about but you've addressed your post to me??? You attack my slang, then my travel habits? an now my sexual orientation? What business is it of yours?

The topic here is the right to protest. Staying on topic helps.

cheers,

sean

09.08.2005 18:23

British speakers of English, in fact any NATIVE speaker of English is an a minority out of the world population of English speakers.

Surely as an anarchist you support the indiviudual's right to define their own identity beyond the parameters of authritarian proscriptions? (i.e. shut it!)

Anyway, thanks sean & co. I wish I was back in London to take part! And will do when I have enough dosh to get over there.

There's nothing stupid/stereotypical about this protest: an undemoctratic twat trying to diminish hard-won democratic rights.

Sounds like the constabulary (how's that Joe? Overdeucated midlle-class enuff innit?) don't really have their hearts in it? I wonder if the Met'll even have the guts to press charges or if they'll just keep it on the boil as a dispersal measure?

paul pawlowski: are you serious?

magoo

Just a thought...

09.08.2005 18:39

Has anyone contacted Reg Keys to see if he's interested in taking part?

A Reply from 'The Crazy Maker'

09.08.2005 18:52

Thank you for your guidance Sean on the topic of discussion and if I may paste your original reply to me 'Hey, maybe you could ban foreign languages from being spoken here too?' You may have to explain the link to protest for me.

As to attacking you travel habits, slang and sexual orientation I have studied my writing carefully and cannot for the life of me see any evidence of any of this. However, that is, of course, your perception of what I have written and you are free to have it. As typical of one who berates his lack of civil liberties from the 'fuzz' I notice you make no attempt to reply to the issues I have muted. As the saying goes 'there are none so blind...etc'.

I would suggest if you find the thread of this debate too deep, stop making untrue allegations from text that anyone can access. It kinda makes your case a little weak. Or alternatively you could stop making comments on the draconian measures the police used on you without having the neccesary nous to debate your view.

Regards

Joe

Come and Protest

15.08.2005 11:51

Hello everyone can i urge you all to please come down to Parliament Square every sunday to protest against this law that infringes on the human rights of everyone. We will be there every sunday at noon enjoying our right to free speech and assosiation and also enjoying tea and cakes. See you there i hope
Matthew

Matthew Butcher
mail e-mail: matthew1butcher@hotmail.com
Homepage: http://www.parliamentprotest.org.uk

photos/videos needed

15.08.2005 13:53

As you are probably aware several people were arrested Sunday, the 7th of August during this action.

We are trying to collect as many images etc as possible.

Please could anyone who has images etc of that action and the arrests please to send them to :
Prashan Tashan,
e:

guru@shutterguru.com

He is one of the arrested and is also the designated collecter for the Dossier/Archive/Collection.

madame zero

We shall not be silent!

18.08.2005 17:07

The (lack of) protest continues!

Last Sunday a group of people united by their passion for Free Speech met up for a picnic at Parliament Square. Some were protesting, but most of us were simply there for the food.

Despite the obious delights of cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes, tea, and Pimms, consumed in the shadow of Big Ben, on a Sunday afternoon, local law enforcement seemed unable to believe that we were not all there together as part of an organised protest. After 2 hours, and much head scratching, the confused police on the scene decided that the picnic was indeed illegal and threatend all present with arrest, which leads me to wonder: "how exactly can this law can be applied?" If a police(wo)man overhears one saying, for example "Tony Blair is a sodding %$£@$!", while strolling past the Millenium Eye, will he be able to arrest you?

Anywho, the important thing is that a great time was had by all, and the "Mad Hatters Tea Party" will go on this Sunday, next Sunday, and every Sunday, until this Facist law is repealed.

So whatever your grievance, your politics, or your dress sense: come one, come all, just come on!

12 noon, Parliament Square, every Sunday!

Sebastian

For more info or to add your voice check out our Wiki (editable web page):

http://www1.atwiki.com/picnic/

Or for other related info:

http://www.globalnation.org.uk

http://www.tobintax.org.uk/

http://www.whatushoutinbout.blogspot.com

http://www.parliamentprotest.org.uk/

http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/

http://www.edmi.parliament.uk/

http://www.actionagainstwar.org/

Sebastian Bird
mail e-mail: musological@gmail.com