Today four protesters promised more protests after a High Court judge ruled against them over restrictions on the right to protest in the vicinity of Parliament. All four, Maya Anne Evans, Aqil Shaer, Milan Rai and Stephen Blum had been convicted of offences under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (2005). [A]
Peace activists Maya Anne Evans and Milan Rai were both convicted under Section 132 of SOCPA after being arrested opposite Downing Street in October 2005 for reading out the names of British soldiers and Iraq civilians killed during the conflict. [B] The two others were arrested at a demonstration on the day the Act came into force on 1 August last year.
Maya Anne Evans of the peace group 'Justice Not Vengeance' said: 'We are determined to continue resisting this unjust law, through the courts and through peaceful protest. We must overturn the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act and all other repressive laws brought in by this Government.'
The protesters were represented by Bindmans Solicitors (020 7833 4433) and by Liberty, the human rights group (020 7403 3888).
CONTACT
Maya Anne Evans 07973 484 202
Milan Rai 07980 748 555
NOTES
A. Under Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005) organising an “unauthorised” demonstration within 1km of Parliament is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for up to 51 weeks and a £2500 fine. Participating in such a demonstration is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1000. For more information see www.parliamentprotest.org.uk
B. On 25 October 2005, Maya Anne Evans and Milan Rai stood near the Cenotaph reading the names of British soldiers and Iraq civilians who had died in Iraq, as part of an international anti-war campaign to mark the first anniversary of the Lancet Report. See: “MPs condemn arrest of woman who spoke out”, Daily Mail, 8 December 2005 (
http://tinyurl.com/zoep7)
Maya Anne Evans of the peace group 'Justice Not Vengeance' said: 'We are determined to continue resisting this unjust law, through the courts and through peaceful protest. We must overturn the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act and all other repressive laws brought in by this Government.'
The protesters were represented by Bindmans Solicitors (020 7833 4433) and by Liberty, the human rights group (020 7403 3888).
CONTACT
Maya Anne Evans 07973 484 202
Milan Rai 07980 748 555
NOTES
A. Under Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (April 2005) organising an “unauthorised” demonstration within 1km of Parliament is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for up to 51 weeks and a £2500 fine. Participating in such a demonstration is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1000. For more information see www.parliamentprotest.org.uk
B. On 25 October 2005, Maya Anne Evans and Milan Rai stood near the Cenotaph reading the names of British soldiers and Iraq civilians who had died in Iraq, as part of an international anti-war campaign to mark the first anniversary of the Lancet Report. See: “MPs condemn arrest of woman who spoke out”, Daily Mail, 8 December 2005 (
http://tinyurl.com/zoep7) 
Comments
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A few comments
21.12.2006 00:10
- This outcome represents yet another nail rammed through into the corpse of democracy. The people convicted here are like the blood of innocents spilt in times of war, and they are attempting to uphold substantial human rights and human dignity.
- Blair's law has won. Any surprise here? This thug has made protest by reading the names of dead innocents a crime in this land if it is not carried out by being contrived through prior permission - meaning a non-spontaneous demonstration without any real living power. Meanwhile he continues his slaughter in Afghanistan and Iraq and continues verbally attacking Iran, while maintaining silence on their own crimes and those of the United States and the Israeli govnament. Blair's movements continue to be unannounced so that no real demonstrations can occur in his presence, and is surrounded by armed guards.
-The "anti-war" movement as represented by the Stop the War Coalition and others have failed to stop this predictable outcome. The 'stop' the war coalition has the defence of civil liberties as supposedly a major part of it's aims and constitution ("...any war will simply add to the numbers of innocent dead, cause untold suffering, political and economic instability on a global scale, increase racism and result in attacks on civil liberties." and "We will fight to stop the erosion of civil rights." -
Brian B
Homepage:
http://www.brianb.uklinux.net/antiwar-discuss/
Support from another protester
22.12.2006 02:49
Letter from Maya Evans and 11 others: The Guardian, 21.12.06, "Acts of defiance":
Pauline Campbell
Mother of Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, 18, who died in the 'care' of HMP Styal, 2003.
Arrested 13 times since 2004 (prison-death demonstrations).
Pauline Campbell