Monday, June 20, 2005
WESTMINSTER DEMONSTRATIONS RESTRICTED
By Simon Hart - Government restricts Westminster demonstrations
You may have read in the Daily Telegraph or elsewhere, that the Government intends to restrict the right to demonstrate near Parliament by creating a half mile exclusion zone around the Houses of Parliament. From 1st August it will be necessary to obtain permission in advance to demonstrate within the zone and that permission, if granted, may be conditional.
Demonstrating without permission will be an arrestable offence.
The removal of the right of individuals to protest is a serious move and one that should only be taken where there is a significant security risk. The Government will need to explain very carefully and clearly why this move cannot be construed as a measure to restrict large and occasionally noisy gatherings simply because they might be inconvenient or embarrassing.
One of our jobs is to ensure that people can continue to engage in lawful protest where the purpose of the protest is visible to the media and the public. No restrictions on demonstrating around Westminster will stop us from doing just that.
You may have read in the Daily Telegraph or elsewhere, that the Government intends to restrict the right to demonstrate near Parliament by creating a half mile exclusion zone around the Houses of Parliament. From 1st August it will be necessary to obtain permission in advance to demonstrate within the zone and that permission, if granted, may be conditional.
Demonstrating without permission will be an arrestable offence.
The removal of the right of individuals to protest is a serious move and one that should only be taken where there is a significant security risk. The Government will need to explain very carefully and clearly why this move cannot be construed as a measure to restrict large and occasionally noisy gatherings simply because they might be inconvenient or embarrassing.
One of our jobs is to ensure that people can continue to engage in lawful protest where the purpose of the protest is visible to the media and the public. No restrictions on demonstrating around Westminster will stop us from doing just that.
