quote:
Originally posted by Fourbrick2:
Kelley, we now have the same problem here in the U.K.
A woman was arrested and taken to court for reading out the names of U.K. soliders killed in Iraq, in front of the Cenotaph (memorial to fallen war dead) because "she had not obtained permission from the police". British subjects (note we are unfortunately NOT citizens) are not allowed withing 1 kilometre of the House of Commons to demonstrate without the permission of the Police. Our freedoms are slowly, no quickly, being taken away from us.
The lunatics in both countries have taken over the asylum.
Unfortunately (or not ?) that has been the law of England for hundreds of years. Nobody was allowed to march or hold any demonstration within one mile of the Houses of Parliament whilst Parliament was in session. Those of a historical bent can still find one or two of the original obelisks showing points on the roads into London which are exactly one mile from the Palace of Westminster (Parliament).
This provision has been revised so that anyone can make a protest but they must notify the police authority first. Such permission would undoubtedly have been granted in the case which Fourbrick cites.It is a misrepresentation of the case, and others like it,to claim that this is some gross interference with the rights of the citizen.We have similar rules concerning mass demonstrations. Nobody objects to demonstrations per se but demonstrations arranged without warning, particularly those in midweek, serve only to disrupt London's traffic, put strains on policing of the traffic and interfere with the lawful business and freedoms of others.If anyone bothered to look they'd find that the police have powers akin to this which the police invoke for such matters as international rugby games and soccer matches , even those held outside London.In such cases of sport the police close roads and have the power to direct movements of the crowds.It is a criminal offence to disobey these directions, directions made for the benefit of local residents and the crowds themselves.
Even now there is, as there has been for years, a peaceful vigil outside Parliament. One individual has been there in Parliament Square for many a long day. His demonstration was eventually restricted to the extent that he was required to reduce the amount of banners that he had and, I believe, the amount of noise he made. The use of loud loudspeakers was intefering with the quiet enjoyment of the roads by the rest of us as well as being a disturbance to those working in offices and Parliament itself
A country that has for so long permitted Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, where anything may be said by speakers subject only to the laws on obscenity (in so far as these may still apply to anything said in this country )and, presumably, outright incitement to murder the Queen and the like is not eager to stop freedom of expression.
Fourbrick will know that a favoured place for mass demonstrations is Trafalgar Square. This square is itself only at the other end of Whitehall to Parliament .
By the way every Briton is a subject and always was. We are subjects of Her Majesty the Queen. However my passport declares me to be a "British citizen", as is the legal custom.
PS I'm surprised if the statutory distance set as a limit is now 1km. We don't use kilometres for measuring distances on the road. I can't think that the law provides for five furlongs (=1km approximately) either though those of a horsey interest would understand that just as well and it would suit those protesting about a ban on fox-hunting
