The government is scheming to legislate against free speech and the right to assemble.
Blink and you’ll miss the end of civil rights in Britain.
This could be your last chance to have your say on the issues that concern you. So, let’s join together to say yes to freedom. You bring your concerns, we’ll bring the banners to write them on.
Mid Wales Citizens Join National Day of Action: The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) has made unauthorised protest within a mile of the Houses of Parliament a criminal activity. Since its introduction, this legislation has seen arrests for such dangerous activities as reading out the names of Iraq war dead, miming, and possession of cakes with peace signs on them!
When he came to power, one of the first announcements Gordon Brown made was of an immediate review of this legislation and, thinking that this meant that what even police officers have conceded is a “petty” law was set to be repealed, many people greeted this announcement as a step forward. However, even a cursory glance at the government’s consultation document “Managing Protest Around Parliament” reveals that, very far from repealing SOCPA, the Home Office is actually proposing an extension of its provisions to cover the whole of England and Wales! Under the guise of “harmonisation”, the consultation document suggests that any gathering, which a police officer deems not to have received the prior permission of the Police Service can be considered illegal and those participating in it to be committing a criminal act and therefore liable to arrest. But don’t take our word for it. Read the consultation document (see link to Home Office website below) and see what you make of it. If you understand as we do that this constitutes yet another attack by the State on our civil liberties, you are invited to join us in Aberystwyth town centre on Saturday, 12th January 2008 for our contribution to a national day of action against this pernicious law. We will be distributing copies of the consultation document and reply sheets to be forwarded to the Home Office. We will also be inviting anyone who wants to protest on matters of their concern. To this end we will provide blank placards and drawing implements. After this, we will adjourn to the Morlan Centre for hot drinks and to see Mark Thomas’ film “Serious Organised Criminal”, followed by discussion of the implications of the legislation and possible responses to it. Please join us!
More information (Indymedia UK) | Home Office Link to download the report | Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network's website