Defending the right to protest as Tories plan new legislation
Last Sunday the police fined the nurse organiser of a masked and socially distanced protest in Manchester over the Tories 1% pay rise (a cut in reality) for nurses
Now the Met Police, well known agitators for more restrictions on protest, are trying to ban a protest, also socially distanced and masked, this Saturday in Clapham about the murder of a woman walking home at night. A suspect has been arrested. He is a serving Met Police officer.
If you want an example of the arrogance and anti-democratic mentality that is to be found in police forces look no further. Professional, no. Prejudiced, yes.
The Tories are planning a new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. It deals with a range of issues but parts of it are driven by a reactionary response to Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter protests.
The Tories are of course all in favour of a right to protest as long as it is not actually exercised.
Part of the Bill focuses on damage to statues. This is comparatively rare and as likely to be caused by far right and fascist elements (the Tories are not so bothered about this) as anyone on the left.
The proposal is to increase the maximum sentence for this to 10 years because it upsets people (i.e Tory voters). The upset may well be genuine (and understood) but the proposal is draconian
In a plan to allow the police to implement all sorts of restrictions on protests, to suit their own convenience essentially a new criminal offence of public nuisance will be created. This covers making excessive noise and smells. So no shouting or farting please…
Public Nuisance Offence
Conduct captured will include nuisances such as producing excessive noise or smells, or offensive or dangerous behaviour in public, such as hanging from bridges.
Historical background
Tories threaten the right to protest again
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