<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span>The fact that most of the British public has never heard of The Putney Debates or The Levellers or The Diggers is a disgrace! I was never taught about them at school and I bet you weren't either. It's not part of the 'official' version of history, and yet it is probably the most important point in our history in terms of the People's fundamental rights and has never been more relevant! If ever there was a time for another 'Putney Debates' it is now! I think I'll print off some info on the original debates and the new ones and give them out at tube stations. The public has to be made aware that this is about them, about all of us! We've never seen so many rotten institutions collapsing in the modern era - politics, media, police - all the interconnected corruption is being
exposed; never has the public had such blatant evidence of these institutions being unfit for purpose. This is the best chance we've had in many a year to cross the activist/'civilian' divide. </span></div><div><span></span> </div><div><span>Funnily enough I've just sent someone who wasn't aware of The Putney Debates/Levellers some info on it and included stuff on John Lilburne. Here's what I sent my friend about him: </div><div> </div><div>This piece is written by the founder of Bindmans solicitors who specialise in human rights and represent lots of activists: </div><div id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_134381714548961"> <a id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_134381714548946" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/dec/15/legal-heroes-geoffrey-bindman-john-lilburne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><font
color="#0066cc">http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/dec/15/legal-heroes-geoffrey-bindman-john-lilburne</font></a></div><div> </div><div>Extracts from an essay on FJ: </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal yiv328405302ms__id1115"><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_1343817145489102"></span> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_1343817145489113" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal yiv328405302ms__id1116"><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_1343817145489115">'John Lilburne has the unusual distinction of being an Englishman who has been put on trial for his life twice and acquitted twice. During his lifetime he enjoyed huge popular support and in the mid 1600s was almost certainly the most popular man in the country...</span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_134381714548975">When Lilburne was
brought before the court of Star Chamber he refused to take the oath....(</span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_22_134381714548991">this became the Fifth Amendment - Lilburne objected to having to take an oath before even being charged. In those days, extracting a confession was the main purpose of proceedings, not building a case based on evidence, so he refused to comply with their demand to incriminate himself). The late United States Supreme Court Judge Hugo Black, who often cited the works of John Lilburne in his opinions, wrote in an article for <i>Encyclopaedia Britannica</i> that he believed John Lilburne’s constitutional work of 1649 was the basis for the basic rights contained in the U.S. Constitution.<sup id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_134386092616299">'<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span> </span></div></sup></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;
font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal yiv328405302ms__id1116">He spent half his life in prison because of his refusal to back down on his beliefs: </div><div id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162120"> </div><div id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162125">'Lilburne was brought before the House of Lords once more. When commanded to kneel by the Keeper of the Black Rod, he refused. Back to Newgate he went.'</div><div id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162158"> </div><div id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162160">Lilburne was to be whipped from Fleet to Westminster and this punishment was set to take place on April 18<sup>th</sup> 1638. <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span
id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162187">Lilburne was stripped to the waist and his hands were tied to the back of the cart. It was a very hot day and the sun was beating down. Starting from Fleet Bridge, the horse drawn cart proceeded slowly down Fleet Street, through Temple Bar, into the Strand and on to Charing Cross. Throughout the journey, along the dusty streets, the executioner lashed the prisoner with his three-thonged knotted whip. Supportive crowds lined the route. On went the cart, dragging the prisoner through King’s Gate, down King Street to New Palace Yard. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162178">It is estimated that Lilburne received 500 lashes along the
way, making 1500 stripes to his back during the two mile walk. Vivid descriptions from the period, paint a painful picture of this tortured man: his shoulders “swelled almost as big as a penny loafe with the bruses of the knotted Cords”<sup>14</sup> and “for the wales in his back, made by his cruel whipping, were bigger than Tobacco-pipes”.<sup> </sup></span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162173">He was in this condition when he reached New Palace Yard and after he refused to admit to any error, his head was clamped in the pillory. Despite having been weakened by his ordeal, he spoke out. An enthusiastic crowd gathered around to listen to him describe the injustice of his arrest and to hear his explanation of why he refused the Oath. <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162190" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span
id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162169"></span> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span>Bishops, declared Lilburne, derived their authority from the Pope, who was the Beast of Revelation, who was the Anti-Christ or the Devil, and he challenged them to deny it. <span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162195">He was then gagged so hard that he bled. Undeterred, he then pulled pamphlets from his pockets and distributed them amongst the excited crowd. He then stamped his feet in protest until his two-hour stint in the pillory was over. <span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162225">He was escorted back to Fleet prison followed by enthusiastic crowds. It was not until he reached the prison that his wounds were dressed.'</span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;"
class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span><span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162228"></span></span></span> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162244" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span><span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162233">Later he was tried for High Treason: </span></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162260">On the 24<sup>th</sup> October, Lieut. Colonel John Lilburne was charged under the Treason Acts of May 14<sup>th</sup> and July 17<sup>th</sup> 1649, Acts passed no doubt with the express purpose of charging Lilburne with High Treason. The trial began early on the morning of 25<sup>th</sup> October ...consisting of 40 dignitaries led by the Lord Mayor, took their places in the
Guildhall in London to preside over the case. The courtroom was packed with Lilburne’s friends and supporters. </span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162246">Lilburne contested point after point and when the prosecution read out extracts from Lilburne’s pamphlets, the public often applauded. After the indictment was read out, Lilburne requested more time to prepare his defence and gather witnesses. He was granted an afternoon’s respite only.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162244" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162287" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162263">The court reconvened at 7.00am the following morning. After a long day of listening to Lilburne being
subjected to intense questioning, the jury finally retired at 5.00pm. Within an hour they reached their verdict—not guilty of all charges. </span><span id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162274">Cheers rang out in the court room and celebrations continued all evening. Church bells tolled throughout London, bonfires were lit and feasting was enjoyed by John’s many supporters. A special medal was struck to commemorate the occasion, with John’s portrait on one side and the names of the members of the jury on the other.'</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162244" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span>'John Lilburne believed in Liberty. Lilburne’s life story is a testament to the fact that he not only believed in freedom but
acted upon that belief. “The bigness of the man was that his whole life, from first to last, was an unyielding battle for his ideal of liberty.''<var id="yiv328405302yui-ie-cursor"></var></span></div><sup id="yiv328405302yui_3_2_0_20_1343860926162164"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"> </div></sup></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span></span> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"><span></span> </div><span></span></div><div><span></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt;" class="yiv328405302MsoNormal"></div></span></div><div><br></div> <div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <div style="font-family: times
new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <div dir="ltr"> <font size="2" face="Arial"> <div style="margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); height: 0px; line-height: 0; font-size: 0px;" class="hr" contentEditable="false" readonly="true"></div> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Mark Barrett <marknbarrett@googlemail.com><br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> peopleincommon@lists.riseup.net; campaignforrealdemocracy@lists.aktivix.org; project2012@lists.riseup.net; "<occupycomms@email-lists.org>" <occupycomms@email-lists.org> <br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Sunday, 5 August 2012, 3:32<br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> [Campaignforrealdemocracy] Putney / Levellers Planning - Sunday 12 August 1pm<br> </font> </div> <br><div id="yiv825359568"><div dir="ltr"><div class="yiv825359568gmail_quote">
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<div>Dear Friends and Occupiers</div>
<div> </div>
<div><b>21st Century Putney Debates / Levellers Event</b></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Occupy London are planning to facilitate a 21st Century Putney Debates event this coming October. You are invited to join us at an open planning meeting :</div>
<div> </div>
<div><b>Sunday 12th August 1pm</b></div>
<div><b>St Pauls Cross, towards the rear of St Pauls Cathedral.</b></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sunday October 28th 2012 will be the 365th anniversary of the beginning of the Putney Debates. The original Debates, groundbreaking in their time, started at St Mary's Church (Giles Fraser's old parish) in 1647, and ran until November 11th. They considered the future of the English Constitution after the removal of the King from the old political order. The Levellers, who sought a democratic constitution based on an 'Agreement of the People,' were famously excluded from the final political settlement. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>We now face a growing crisis of democracy and we are inviting occupiers, interested individuals, and representatives of groups who are actively campaigning for a better democracy to join with us in planning out a series of Leveller's inspired events for this coming autumn. </div>
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<div>We have done some initial consultation work and people have proposed a variety of ideas including re enacting the debates through drama, using this as an opportunity for groups working on democracy to come together and linking the democratic deficit with economic injustice. </div>
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<div>If you are inspired to contribute and join us, we have three questions that we would like you to think about to help with the planning of the event:</div>
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<div>▪ Why are the Putney Debates important for today?▪ What do we want to see happen at the events (Speakers/performance/music/discussion etc.) ?▪ What do we want as an outcome/achievement? </div>
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<div>If you are unable to attend this meeting then you are very welcome to email in suggestions, but we hope you can make it as we need everyone to help make it happen. </div>
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<div>The first meeting will be held at the monument to St Paul's Cross, towards the rear of St Pauls Cathedral, and in the enclosed grounds. St Paul's Cross was the place of the first London folkmoot , or people's assembly, so we think this will be a fitting location!</div>
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<div>If you have any queries please get in touch with Julie or Natasha of the Real Democracy working group via email on the contact details below.</div>
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<div>Yours fraternally </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Julie Timbrell</div>
<div>Natasha Langridge</div>
<div>Mark Barrett</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="mailto:julieoccupy@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:julieoccupy@gmail.com">julieoccupy@gmail.com</a> </div>
<div>07970969599</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="mailto:langridge.natasha@btinternet.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:langridge.natasha@btinternet.com">langridge.natasha@btinternet.com</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br><br clear="all"></div>
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