[matilda] [Fwd: [resistg82005] freedom to protest conference callout]
fabian
fab at in-no.org
Wed Sep 21 16:32:56 BST 2005
After our experiences in Sheffi and Scotti maybe something to support and
join....
F.
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [resistg82005] freedom to protest conference callout
From: "Max" <guardianangel at webtribe.net>
Date: Wed, September 21, 2005 4:26 pm
To: resistg82005 at lists.riseup.net
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Hi
I am writing to inform you about the Freedom To Protest conference being
held in London on October 23rd. This conference is about bringing a wide
variety of different movements and campaign groups to look at the
increasing criminalisation of protest in the UK. This conference is about
sharing ideals and building networks of support among groups and
individuals to ensure that the basic rights to protest in this country are
maintained.
We are encouraging as many activists and campaigners as possible to attend
(the focus of the conference is not going to be on those new to political
protesting), but we are also asking that groups help us spread the word in
three simple ways:
1.By adding their name to the list of supporting groups.
2.By distribution our conference leaflets in their
publications/offices/events
3.By spreading the word on any appropriate email lists that they have
access to.
This is about local as well as national groupings.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. For more
information please see our website at www.freedomtoprotest.org.uk or see
the fuller text below.
Thank you for your time
Max
Why we're inviting you to get involved
The aim of the conference is to share experiences, and to promote mutual
aid, solidarity & co-ordination among groups and movements threatened by
repressive laws undermining and restricting age-old freedoms to protest.
Such rights and freedoms have not been handed down by the
powers-that-be, but won through campaigns and struggles over the last 100
years or more.
There are a whole range of repressive and outrageous measures
increasingly being used by police and companies to try to intimidate and
undermine all manner of protests. Organisations and movements affected
include: the anti-war movement; environmentalists; labour movement;
anti-racists / anti-fascists; students; animal rights groups;
anti-capitalists; local community struggles; civil liberties groups;
socialists; anarchists; international solidarity campaigners and others.
Repressive measures include protests being banned, ASBOs against
protestors, injunctions, police encircling and detaining protestors for
hours on end, harassment from police intelligence teams, road blocks to
stop protests, 'anti-terrorism' laws, and new threats from the
government’s Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.
Such measures can no longer be ignored, or seen as something only
affecting us all in a very marginal way. They represent a systematic
assault on our basic rights and freedoms which needs to be challenged and
rolled back.
We want the conference to be a positive and empowering event. It will
therefore focus on developing effective strategies for continuing to
protest and take action over the diverse issues of injustice and
oppression that concern the various campaigns and movements affected. The
Freedom To Protest network has brought a number of such groups together to
organise the Oct 23rd conference, an event which can serve as a
springboard for a real fight back.
What you can do
1. The agenda for the conference has not yet been finalised. The event
will start with presentations from a range of people who've been
actively involved in campaigns and struggles which have challenged
repressive laws, or succeeded despite them. Workshops will include:
o How to continue to protest effectively
o Defending cases in court
o Suing the police or proactively taking a case
o Setting up support/defence campaigns
Would your group like to contribute to one or more of these discussions?
If so, please let us know. We have also discussed a number of other ideas
for workshops, and before finalising them we would appreciate input from
as many groups as possible about how to make sure the
conference is representative, useful and effective.
2. Please pass on this invitation to anyone you think may be interested
in attending the Sept 17th meeting.
3. Please help to publicise the Oct 23rd conference, including
circulating the enclosed leaflet to all your members, branches and
contacts. The flyer can be downloaded from www.freedomtoprotest.org.uk
4. We've set up a 'Freedom to Protest' announcements-only e-list to keep
everyone informed about the conference and relevant announcements.
See details on the website for how to subscribe, or reply to
conference at freedomtoprotest.org.uk .
Together we can defend our freedoms and continue to campaign effectively
for a better society and better world
We send our solidarity to you
Freedom To Protest network
Supporting groups include: McLibel Support Campaign, School Students
Against War, Parliament Sq Peace Campaign and Brian Haw Supporters, Voices
In The Wilderness, Campaign Against Criminalising Communities, Legal
Defence and Monitoring Group, Smash EDO campaign, Birmingham Guatanamo
Campaign, Haringey Solidarity Group, Muslim Parliament, Speak Campaign,
Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition / CND, Legal Action for Women, Worthing
Eco-Action, FreeBeagles, Haringey Against ID Cards, Peacerights (Matlock),
Privacy International, Rhythms of Resistance
FREEDOM TO PROTEST Conference
Sunday October 23rd 2005 11am - 5pm
At The Resource Centre - 356 Holloway Road, London, N7
(5 mins from Holloway tube. Buses: 4, 17, 29, 43, 153, 253, 259, 271, 279
and X43)
Fully accessible. Induction loop fitted. Admission free
Further details about the conference can be found at:
www.freedomtoprotest.org.uk
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Text of leaflet (please distribute widely / pdf version available on
website):
FREEDOM TO PROTEST
Conference
Sunday October 23rd 2005 11am - 5pm
At The Resource Centre - 356 Holloway Road, London, N7
(5 mins from Holloway tube. Buses: 4, 17, 29, 43, 153, 253, 259, 271, 279
and X43)
Fully accessible. Induction loop fitted. Admission free
· to share experiences, and promote mutual aid & co-ordination among
groups threatened by repressive laws
· to develop effective strategies for standing up for our freedom to
protest against injustice and oppression
Any oppressive laws can be rendered unworkable through protest,
non-co-operation and defiance
We will not be silenced!
There are a whole range of repressive and outrageous measures
increasingly being used by police and companies to try to intimidate and
undermine all manner of protests - including peace and anti-war,
anti-capitalist, Palestinian solidarity, environmental, workers, animal
rights and other campaigns.
These measures include protests being banned, ASBOs against protestors,
injunctions, police encircling and detaining protestors for hours on end,
harassment from police 'intelligence' teams, road blocks to stop protests,
and new threats from the government’s Serious Organised Crime and Police
Act.
Its time to stand up for everyone's freedom to leaflet, picket, assemble
and march against injustice and oppression. Such rights and freedoms have
not been handed down by the powers-that-be, but won through
struggles over the last 100 years or more.
There are many examples of campaigns and movements successfully refusing
to be intimidated by legal threats. Oppressive laws can be made
unworkable by determination and solidarity among those affected, by mass
defiance, and by turning the tables on those who would try to silence and
suppress dissent.
This conference is being organised by campaigns and groups affected by the
latest wave of repressive laws we hope all such organisations and
movements will send in messages of support, help publicise the event and
encourage people to attend!
Contact: conference at freedomtoprotest.org.uk
www.freedomtoprotest.org.uk
Wherever there is injustice or oppression, there is protest and resistance
Supporting groups include: McLibel Support Campaign, School Students
Against War, Parliament Sq Peace Campaign and Brian Haw Supporters, Voices
In The Wilderness, Campaign Against Criminalising Communities, Legal
Defence and Monitoring Group, Smash EDO campaign, Birmingham Guatanamo
Campaign, Haringey Solidarity Group, Muslim Parliament, Speak Campaign,
Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition / CND, Legal Action for Women, Worthing
Eco-Action, FreeBeagles, Haringey Against ID Cards, Peacerights (Matlock),
Privacy International, Rhythms of Resistance
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I / we support the Freedom To Protest conference
Organisation
..
Contact name
Address
..
Email
..
..
Tel
.
Please fill in and return to: FTP network c/o McLibel Support Campaign, 5
Caledonian Rd, N1 9DX
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