[g8-sheffield] G8 protest statement - alterations from Jillian

[Jillian Creasy]

Here is John's version, and a suggested redraft from me. It's slightly shorter, sacrifices the nicety of Russia's position and removes references  to the iniquities of the G8 ... I can see that detailing their wrongs explains our WISH to protest, but that is not relevant to our RIGHT  to protest. Indeed, emphasising their supposed interest in democracy and human rights makes the denial of those things to facilitate their visit even more ironic. How do we decide what we send out? Jillian

G8 summit: Sheffield people denounce suppression of the right to protest.
John's version: 
On June 16-17, the interior ministers of the world's seven richest nations
(along with the decorative presence of Russia) will gather in Sheffield to
discuss how to step up the assault on human and democratic rights which
their governments are conducting under the banner of the 'war against
terrorism'. 

The right of Sheffield people to protest against the G8 presence is being
flagrantly denied by the police. They have informed us that no gatherings of
protestors of any size will be permitted in the town centre. Any attempt to
do so will be met with force and arrests.

Sheffield Against the G8 representatives proposed a route and a time for a
demonstration which would have marched us away from the town centre before
the arrival of the G8 ministers. Stop the War Coalition proposed a static
picket near to the venue where they will be assembled. Both of these
protests have been flatly prohibited. Under the pretext of 'security' the
police are attempting to marginalise our protests by forcing us to the
fringes of our city. 

Jillian's suggested alterations:
On June 15-17, the Justice and Home affairs ministers of the G8 (the world's richest nations) will gather in Sheffield to discuss issues relating to human and democratic rights. While some see this as an honour for the city, many people disagree with their policies and with the decision to host them here.

Ironically, to facilitate this visit, the police have invoked special measures to prevent protests taking place. They have informed us that no marches or gatherings of any size will be allowed in the city centre on those days. Any attempt to do so will be met with force and arrests.

Sheffield Against G8 proposed a march on the afternoon of the 15th  June. Stop the War Coalition proposed a static picket on the  evening of 16th June. Both these protests have been flatly prohibited. Under the pretext of "security" the police are attempting to marginalize our protests and forcing us to the fringes of our city.
 
We, the undersigned, believe that this attempt to ban peaceful and orderly
protests in our city centre is an outrageous and unacceptable infringement
of our democratic right to protest. We call on all citizens, organisations
and elected representatives of Sheffield to unite behind the call for these
repressive decisions to be reversed.

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