The laws which restrict the right to demonstrate in Parliament Square need to be changed, Gordon Brown has said.
…
A 2005 law created an “exclusion zone” inside which all protests required police permission. Critics say it curbs the right to spontaneous protest.
…
It was partly a response to anti-war protester Brian Haw, whose round-the-clock vigil in Parliament Square, using placards and loudspeakers had annoyed MPs and peers.
The Home Office has also said the law was necessary for security reasons – it had been argued that a bomb could be left beneath Mr Haw’s signs.
But while Mr Haw remains in the square, having been granted police permission for a reduced protest, many other unauthorised, peaceful, protests have been broken up.
The restrictions have been heavily criticised and the subject of several unauthorised protests themselves.
In January Lib Dem Baroness Miller said the 2005 Act had had a “chilling” effect on demonstrations, as many people believed they were totally banned.
i’ve written here before about brian haw. i find it astounding that he has managed to out-last those who would try to silence him.
i’ve been increasingly uneasy living in a country where i do not feel free to protest – not only because of the above, but also because until very recently i was subject to immigration restrictions, and not least because if i were to be arrested for any reason, i would have my dna put on the database. and it seems there is more and more every day that i want to protest about.
still, this can only be a good thing.
kaiser chiefs – i predict a riot
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
)
Like this post
