[Netnews-action] news: Defend the Right to Protest

[campaigns]

-------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Ali Garrigan <Alison.Garrigan at student.manchester.ac.uk>
> To: p-p-recycle-now at lists.manchester.ac.uk
> <p-p-recycle-now at lists.manchester.ac.uk>
> Subject: [People and Planet] SOCPA Consultation - Defend the Right to
> Protest!
> Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:12:24 +0000
> 
> I received this from St Andrews P and P group; the latest example of the
> government attempt to curb and extinguish any possibility of anyone questioning
> them. Defend the right to protest!
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Hallo P&Pers,
> 
> A couple of weeks ago, you may have come across a news story about a
> consultation on and possible revision of the Serious Organised Crime and
> Policing Act (SOCPA) -- the act which, amongst other things, restricted
> the right to protest around Parliament. At first this seemed like good
> news -- a possible revision of the Act in favour of better protest
> rights. But reading the consultation paper
> (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2007-managing-protest)
> carefully reveals that there's a possible threat concealed there to
> actually restrict our rights further -- not only in Parliament Square,
> but nationwide. There's a summary of the content here:
> http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384584.html
> 
> There are a number of key issues in the paper, all of which need
> addressing. But the most frightening to my mind is the question
> regarding the distinction between the law on assemblies and the law on
> marches. At the moment, you have to give police prior notification of a
> protest march you plan to hold, and the police have the power to ban a
> march under serious circumstances -- but neither of these rules apply to
> peaceful assembly. But the consultation indicates that the Government is
> looking to "harmonise" the rules, giving police the power to ban
> peaceful assembly.
> 
> This is just the latest possible restriction of our civil liberties.
> Don't let it happen. I urge you to read the consultation yourselves, and
> respond forcefully to its questions, arguing not only against the
> further possible restrictions, but for lifting the current restrictions
> on our right to protest around Parliament. Spread it around your groups!
> If enough of us respond to the consultation, we might be able to have a
> significant effect on its outcome. Defend your rights!
> 
> For more information on Parliament Square protests see
> http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/ and http://www.markthomasinfo.com/
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Harry Giles
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> P-p-recycle-now mailing list
> P-p-recycle-now at lists.manchester.ac.uk
> http://lists.manchester.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/p-p-recycle-now