Defend the Right to Protest

Story here at Sturdyblog: “No doubt Boris Johnson is thinking of the upcoming Olympics and what an embarrassment it would be to have poor people protesting near tourists. The byelaws make it an offence, inter alia, to - erect or keep erected any tent or similar structure - display any sign - make or give any speech or public address and astonishingly even - fail to comply with a reasonable direction given by an authorised person to leave the square. It is my belief that this is an outrageous and unprecedented attack on our freedom as citizens. The notice explains that any objection to the confirmation of the Byelaws may be made by letter addressed to Carl Schnackenberg, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH, or by email to: Carl.Schnackenberg@Culture.gsi.gov.uk.” … Read entire article »

Dear Friends, Over the past year Defend The Right To Protest has played an important role in campaigning against the growing victimisation and sentencing of protesters. The impact of such work shouldn’t be underestimated. In the last few trials of anti-cuts or student protesters we have seen six ‘not guilty’ verdicts from juries, within minutes of beginning their deliberation. However, there have also been scores of protesters who have been given outrageous sentences of up to 36 months in prison and consequently spent Christmas and New Year behind bars. In a significant number of cases this is because defendants lacked access to good legal advice or knowledge about their rights and were not aware of the possibility of a campaign in their defence. In the coming months Defend the Right to Protest wants to … Read entire article »

On Saturday 28 January, Occupy London will hold a celebration of the right to protest from noon – 6pm this Saturday 28 January by the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral with a host of bands, singers, poets and speakers. Expect surprise guests. Occupy London intends to show the City of London Corporation and the government that we still fight for our right to protest peacefully by occupation and we will exercise this right by holding a celebratory event. There will be speakers who have supported Occupy’s right to protest and who are involved in challenging the unsustainable, unjust and undemocratic system that dominates our world. Artists and performers include: Rowdy Superstar, LiA (Life imitates Art), Havva, Max Pahlsson, Mike Faulkner, Big Sing Up Choir, David Lee Morgan, Marcina Arnold, David California, Cynikal, Kandice … Read entire article »

“The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) calls for an independent judicial inquiry into all suspicious deaths in custody. The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) is a coalition of families and friends of those that have died in the custody of police and prison officers as well as those who died while detained under the Mental Health Act, in psychiatric and immigration detention. It also has members and supporters from campaign groups and advocacy organisations from across the UK. The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody report published in 2011 states: in total, there were 5,998 deaths recorded for the 11 years from 2000 to 2010. This is an average of 545 deaths per year. Despite the fact there have been 11 unlawful killing verdicts since 1990 there has never … Read entire article »

Sign the petition here. We Support the Right to Peaceful Protest – Drop the charges against the Cardiff Castle Two! On 11 November 2011 the police violently broke up a completely peaceful protest on the green outside Cardiff Castle by Occupy Cardiff (part of the world-wide Occupy movement against inequality and injustice in the financial system). They ‘kettled’ the demonstrators in a subway and arrested six people. Eric Jinks and Jason Simons were charged under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act with “failing to leave the land, namely CARDIFF CASTLE, as soon as reasonably practical”. They are due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 8th 2012 and if convicted face a maximum sentence of three months imprisonment. The police action is an assault on everyone’s rights to … Read entire article »

Writing to prisoners can initially seem difficult, and while the desire to do so may be strong, knowing what to write (or what not to write) can be a hurdle. Receiving mail in prison is enormously encouraging, however, so this workshop is for all those who want to write but are uncertain where to start. Anarchist Black Cross have kindly agreed to run a workshop on this at Freedom Books, Whitechapel at 2pm this Sunday 29th Jan. Space is limited, so please register at info@defendtherighttoprotest.org … Read entire article »

Weds Feb 8th, 20122, 9am-12noon, Cardiff Magistrates Court Jason Simons and Eric Jinks are on trial for taking part in a peaceful protest on public land on November 11th, 2011 as part of Occupy Cardiff. Eric, Jason and the other four arrested have done nothing wrong. Furthermore, Cardiff Council has made false claims about the nature of the protest. We have to build for a peaceful solidarity rally at the Magistrates Court. The arrests and trial represent an attack on trade unionsists, students, and other ordinary people’s right to organise and fight for their rights. Join us! Call out by Occupy Cardiff fb event:https://www.facebook.com/events/313929645303526/ … Read entire article »

Weds 22nd Feb, 1pm, University of Birmingham, Clock Tower Last November following a peaceful sit-in in an unused gate house at the University of Birmingham, university managed acquired a draconian injunction banning all “occupational protest action” for twelve months. The injunction was condemned by Amnesty International and others. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/dec/11/birmingham-university-protest-ban-condemned We are campaigning to get this injunction lifted and call on all concerned peoples to rally at 1pm at the Clocktower on the 22nd of February to increase pressure on the university to drop this flagrant attack on democratic rights. Call out from B’ham Stop Fees and Cuts fb event: https://www.facebook.com/events/175219032580153/ … Read entire article »

  by Rachel Harger “Last night, Monday, Bernard Hogan-Howe the Metropolitan Police Commissioner spoke on ‘Total Policing: The future of Policing in London’ at the London School of Economics (LSE). Hogan-Howe spoke to an audience predominantly made up of activists, youth workers, students and campaigners. Institutional racism was a frequent theme in contributions from the audience. But Hogan-Howe offered poor answers claiming that he did not know why black people were disproportionately stopped. This was met with noises of disbelief. Sherelle Davids, LSE’s student union anti-racism officer, spoke from the audience. She said, “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, just in case you [Hogan-Howe] don’t know, black men are 30 percent more likely to be stopped and searched than white men. As the Met commissioner I think you have a duty to at … Read entire article »