[pagan-magik] FW: URGENT: VIP... PARLIAMENT SQUARE

[raga woods]

>From: Laura Williams <laura at alunatime.org>
>Subject: URGENT: VIP... PARLIAMENT SQUARE
>Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 22:54:30 +0000
>
>VERY IMPORTANT PROTEST
>
>THE PROPOSED BILL THREATENING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RIGHTS TO PROTEST IS
>BEING DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT NEXT MONDAY 7TH FEB! THIS WAS INSPIRED UNDER 
>THE
>AUSPICES OF GETTING BRIAN HAW OFF PARLIAMENT SQUARE, BUT IN EFFECT WILL 
>MEAN
>THAT NONE OF US WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT, THE ONE
>PLACE OF ALL PLACES THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTEST.
>
>LIKE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL, IF THIS LEGISLATION QUIETLY SLIPS THROUGH 
>IT
>WILL HAVE MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR FUTURE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND 
>SERIOUSLY
>UNDERMINE ANY NOTION OF A DEMOCRACY.
>
>PROTEST AT PARLIAMENT SQUARE FROM 2PM - 8PM NEXT MONDAY 7TH FEB
>... PLEASE TRY AND COME, EVEN IF YOU CAN ONLY MAKE THE END BIT AFTER WORK.
>THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND WITH BILLS LIKE THIS AND THE OTHER WHAMMIES OUR
>LEADERS HAVE BEEN COMING UP WITH, ITS TIME TO WAKE UP, CONNECT & STAND
>TOGETHER.
>
>PLEASE PASS ON TO EVERYONE!
>
>THANKS X
>
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>
>further info (from http://www.indymedia.org.uk):
>
>The Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill is going to be debated in
>Parliament next Monday 7th January from 2.30pm.
>THIS LEGISLATION WILL REMOVE BRIAN HAW'S PEACE PROTEST FROM PARLIAMENT
>SQUARE AND COULD STOP ALL PROTEST WITHIN 1KM OF PARLIAMENT. IT IS A SEVERE
>CONTRAVENTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT AND A FUNDAMENTAL ATTACK ON
>DEMOCRACTIC PRINCIPLES.
>
>DEMONSTRATION ON MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2-8pm IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE -
>see www.parliament-square.org.uk.
>
>At this stage MPs can make amendments and the Bill will probably be voted
>through to its next stage in the House of Lords.
>
>LOBBY YOUR MP
>This is an important time to lobby your MP, make them aware of the issues
>and ask them to oppose, or make amendments to, the legislation. You can get
>in contact with your MP is a variety of ways - see details below.
>
>URGE THEM TO SIGN EDM 299
>At the end of this email is the text of Early Day Motion 299 about
>Parliament Square Peace Protests and the list of current signatories. If
>your MP has not signed please ask them to.
>
>KEY POINTS
>Liberty statement on the incompatibility of this legislation with the Human
>Rights Act: "The right to peaceful protest is at the heart of the British
>tradition of liberty. It is an indictment upon the Government that they 
>seek
>to pass primary legislation to stop one man's protest using the
>justification that it spoils the view...It is difficult to see how Clause
>123 can be compatible with Article 11 of the Human Rights Act (the Right to
>Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association)." from 'Serious Organised
>Crime and Police Bill', Liberty's briefing for the Second Reading in the
>House of Commons, Dec 2004
>
>Brian's protest cannot be said to be 'hindering any person from entering or
>leaving the Palace of Westminster' or 'hindering the proper operation of
>Parliament' (the first to 'behaviours'). These are covered by Sessional
>Orders.
>
>The legislation would lead to most protest within 1km from Parliament 
>Square
>being subject to severe restrictions or stopped, including Trafalgar Square
>and Whitehall - all in order to avoid 'spoiling the visual aspect' or 'the
>enjoyment of members of the public' (the third 'behaviour' the legislation
>covers'.
>
>Although this legislation is aimed are removing Brian it will be used for
>other purposes for which there is absolutely no justification for, or call
>to bring in, new laws to stop.
>
>A single police constable will have the power to judge whether the visual
>aspect or enjoyment is being spoiled and failure to comply with their
>directions will lead to peaceful protestors entering the criminal justice
>system.
>
>Does 'spoiling the visual aspect' etc matter more than freedom of speech?
>Many MPs seem more concerned about tourist revenue, heritage etc than
>democracy etc.
>
>Whether or not you agree with Brian's protest, he won the right to make it
>at the High Court in October 2002 when the judge ruled that Brian was
>exercising his right to freedom of speech in Parliament Square and the
>pavement obstruction was not 'unreasonable'.
>
>Brian has shown himself to be incredibly serious and dedicated to the peace
>and justice issues he is raising and has support from all parts of the
>world.
>
>The presence of Brian and the freedom to protest around Parliament
>demonstrates that we live in a democracy (?) and any attempt to remove that
>right would be very damaging for the Government.
>
>Throughout history protest has led to important changes that we now take 
>for
>granted and must be protected etc etc.
>
>Urge your MP to visit Brian and see for themselves what he is doing and to
>hear what he has to say.
>
>Refer to http://www.parliament-square.org.uk for more info.
>
>
>CONTACTING YOUR MP
>Write to any MP at: House of Commons, Westminster SW1A 0AA
>
>Find out who your MP is by clicking on www.locata.co.uk/commons.
>
>Find out their email at
>www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm. Most email addresses
>are in the form @parliament.uk.
>
>You can go to www.faxyourMP.com to send them a fax.
>
>
>