More than one hundred individuals gathered in Parliament Square tonight in the the third Mass Lone Protest against the SOCPA law. They protested against anything and everything - the point being that protest itself should not be subject to permission.
Since August 2005 it has been an arrestable offence to make any sort of protest - even alone - within one kilometre of Parliament without first seeking police permission. A string of arrests and prosecutions have followed along with documented allegations of police violence and intimidation. Two serial - but legal - protesters, Steve Jago and Barbara Tucker have both suffered injury during arrests and detention.
Today's action reflects a growing unease and disgust amongst a wide spectrum of people that this legislation is irreconcilable with western democracy.
Documentary maker John Pilger, commenting on the arrest and conviction of Maya Evans for reading out the names of the dead at the Cenotaph was minded to share his memories of KGB harassment he'd witnessed at the Kremlin in the 1980s
Tonight's rare disposition allowed the use of a megaphone, resulting in an open mic as darkness fell. Popular activist and comedian Mark Thomas proposed to an enthusiastic crowd that the Lone Mass Protest become a regular event, starting at 5pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. From the crowd's response it was clear they'd be back.
Today's action reflects a growing unease and disgust amongst a wide spectrum of people that this legislation is irreconcilable with western democracy.
Documentary maker John Pilger, commenting on the arrest and conviction of Maya Evans for reading out the names of the dead at the Cenotaph was minded to share his memories of KGB harassment he'd witnessed at the Kremlin in the 1980s
Tonight's rare disposition allowed the use of a megaphone, resulting in an open mic as darkness fell. Popular activist and comedian Mark Thomas proposed to an enthusiastic crowd that the Lone Mass Protest become a regular event, starting at 5pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. From the crowd's response it was clear they'd be back.
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