Demonstrate.
Assemble 12 noon, Sunday 7th August, Parliament Square.
If you are concerned about the introduction of the new law that has effectively banned all demonstrations in the area around Parliament (up to 1 km away as far as the London Eye, Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square) then please join the mass lobby outside parliament to call on our representatives to reconsider and over turn this undemocratic and draconian legislation.
Unfortunately parliament is closed for the summer break (polititians get really long holidays) but since this is such an important issue we also call on polititians to come in on the 7th to hear our representations and to reconvene parliament in order to vote quickly on reinstating the democractic right to demonstrate outside parliament.
Of course this lobby should not be confussed with a protest or demonstration, it is merely an opportunity to be involved in this countries democratic process by putting forward concerns and requests to elected representatives.
By co-incidence there is apparently also an illegal demonstration taking place at the same time in the same location. We can consider this an illustrative backdrop in relation to the issues we would like to raise with our MPs and do hope that some will accept the invitation and speak with us at this time.
If you are plan to attend this mass lobbying event, please ensure that you can be identified as a citizen engaged in lawful democratic lobbying as oposed to illegal demonstrating by wearing approbriate clothing.
Should police mistaken you for an unlawful protester you are advised to seek legal advice and do not make a statement to the police until having spoken to your solicitor. At some stage of course it would be beneficial to your defence to make it clear that you were attending parliament square in order to lobby polititians about the new law and not to unlawfully demonstrate as that would be naughty and a serious crime in the same realm as the maffia and yardies etc.
However, don't let the presence of these semi-terrorist in your midst spoil your lawful right to lobby and don't let them scare you - they are probably quite nice and reasonable really if you talk to them so take the opportunity to intergrate and find out more about them. If they tell you stuff about more illegal protesting activities you could grass them up to the police officers in attendence or speak to your MP about the criminalisation of dissent with actual examples!
See you all on sunday.
Remember - if you don't vote you can't complain!
Comments
Hide the following 14 comments
I'll be joining Brians protest
03.08.2005 23:10
a lawful old timer
I might be picnicking in Parliament Square on Sunday
04.08.2005 00:02
I might be picnicking in Parliament Square on Sunday - I haven't decided yet what 'T' shirt to wear. Might be that Stop the War one that I bought a couple of years ago.
central loncon picnic lover
Photographer.
04.08.2005 06:18
A. Snapper.
The Tony Blair Fan Club?
04.08.2005 08:07
_______
132 Demonstrating without authorisation in designated area
(1) Any person who-
(a) organises a demonstration in a public place in the designated area, or
(b) takes part in a demonstration in a public place in the designated area, or
(c) carries on a demonstration by himself in a public place in the designated area,
is guilty of an offence if, when the demonstration starts, authorisation for the demonstration has not been given under section 134(2).
(2) It is a defence for a person accused of an offence under subsection (1) to show that he reasonably believed that authorisation had been given.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if the demonstration is-
(a) a public procession of which notice is required to be given under subsection (1) of section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64), or of which (by virtue of subsection (2) of that section) notice is not required to be given, or
(b) a public procession for the purposes of section 12 or 13 of that Act.
(4) Subsection (1) also does not apply in relation to any conduct which is lawful under section 220 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52).
(5) If subsection (1) does not apply by virtue of subsection (3) or (4), nothing in sections 133 to 136 applies either.
(6) Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 (imposition of conditions on public assemblies) does not apply in relation to a public assembly which is also a demonstration in a public place in the designated area.
(7) In this section and in sections 133 to 136-
(a) "the designated area" means the area specified in an order under section 138,
_________
Cambridge Dictionary
Definition
demonstrate (MARCH) [Show phonetics]
verb [I]
to make a public expression of dissatisfaction, especially by marching or having a meeting:
Thousands of people gathered to demonstrate against the new proposals.
demonstration [Show phonetics]
noun [C] (INFORMAL demo)
when a group of people march or stand together to show that they disagree with or support something or someone:
The students are holding a demonstration to protest against the increase in their fees.
Protesters staged an anti-war demonstration in front of the US embassy.
demonstrator [Show phonetics]
noun [C]
a person who marches or stands with a group of people to show that they disagree with or support something or someone:
Police arrested several of the demonstrators.
(b) "public place" means any highway or any place to which at the material time the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission,
(c) references to any person organising a demonstration include a person participating in its organisation,
(d) references to any person organising a demonstration do not include a person carrying on a demonstration by himself,
(e) references to any person or persons taking part in a demonstration (except in subsection (1) of this section) include a person carrying on a demonstration by himself.
_________
Would I be correct in assuming that any gathering that was in *praise* of parliament would not constitute a demonstration legally?
"What do we want?" "Nothing!!!"
"When do we want it?" "Never!!!"
"Nice one Tony, nice one son!"
etc etc etc.
magoo
pointless picnic
04.08.2005 08:57
pointless picnicer
Such a nice spot...
04.08.2005 12:07
artaud
No Protests
04.08.2005 12:56
As a Brian living in London, let me say that I agree that protesting is ugly and unsightly and a security risk. So I will be going along on sunday to protest the fact that people are allowed to protest.
Brian's wife
I may come along and watch the picnic
04.08.2005 14:18
in in Income based JSA to £1,120 per week.
Also my 60 ton truck with mega blast sound system has a habit of breaking down in the most inconvenient places.
picnic union
I'm allowed to protest
04.08.2005 15:13
Well I'm Brian and so's my wife!
See you on sunday.
Brian
Did someone call?
04.08.2005 15:24
Medic Mafia
Don't forget the trees
04.08.2005 22:50
lumbe r jack
Vigil
05.08.2005 15:23
MatronX
Malcontentary Matron of Mischeif
I'm a tourist
06.08.2005 13:27
Angelina
picnics
15.08.2005 10:17
jonH
e-mail: johnpharding at yahoo.com
Homepage: http://pointlesspicnic