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reports from demonstrations to defend the right to protest - Feb to Dec 2005

These reports all relate either to demos that took place in the first 6 months after the ban on unauthorised protest around Parliament under SOCPA was brought in or demos that took place before the legislation was passed. For reports on more recent protests and challenges, see the Indymedia SOCPA section, parliamentprotest.org.uk and peopleincommon.org

Reports from demos in the first 6 months of SOCPA

1 AUGUST - Five people were arrested as police move heavily in to stop free speech at a Stop the War demo. See media reports.
At a trial at Bow Street Magistrates Court on 9 January 2006 four were convicted (the case against the fifth person was discontinued due to ill health) with 3 people given conditional discharges and the fourth, a £100 fine. Report of the trial.

Victory as Maria acquitted 6 April 06: Maria's retrial for taking part in an unauthorised demo was thrown out of court! Maria is one of Brian's most stalwart supporters and was with Brian at his site as the 1 August demo was taking place on the adjacent green. She was arrested when she went to advise someone at the demo with a megaphone that they would be arrested. At the original trial the magistrate paid no regard to the fact that Maria was not part of the unauthorised demo and she was convicted but decided to appeal. At the retrial at Southwark Crown Court the judges ruled there was no case to answer after the CPS had put forward its case, with very little evidence.

7th AUGUST - Five arrested as police move heavily in to stop free speech at a MASS ACT OF DEFIANCE For the Right to Protest. See media reports.
At a trial at Bow Street Magistrates Court on 23 January 2006 five were convicted with conditional discharges and £50 costs . Report of the trial.
Read the argument presented by one of the defendants in defence and to argue that SOCPA is not compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998 (this may be useful for future defendants).

ACTIVITIES EVERY SUNDAY - the Parliament Square Picnickers/People in Common hold weekly acts of defiance against the new law. Their creative, friendly and enjoyable approach has gained media attention and growing support. Seven people have been arrested at these events but charges were dropped for five of these and the indications are that the police are increasingly unwilling to arrest participants and take them to court over 'tea and cakes'.
At a trial on 7 March 2006 the case against one person was dismissed.
The trial of another picnicker, Mark Barrett, took place on 31 March 2006 and he was convicted.

REMEMBRANCE AND OTHER CEREMONIES - In October two people took part in a remembrance ceremony opposite Downing Street, reading out names of Iraqis and UK soldiers who have been killed, on the anniversary of the publication of the Lancet report last year that stated that 100,000 people have been killed in Iraq as a result of the invasion and occupation. They were both arrested.
Maya Evans went on trial on 7 December 2005 and was found guilty of taking part in an unauthorised demonstration in the Designated Area and was given a conditional discharge. As the first person to be convicted under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act her case gained considerable media attention.
Milan Rai who was arrested and charged with organising the unauthorised demonstration at which Maya was also arrested, which carries a penalty of a possible prison sentence. Milan was on trial at Bow Streets Magistrates Court on 16 March and the verdict was heard on 12 April. He was convicted with £350 fine and £150 costs.

In November another similar remembrance ceremony took place in Parliament Square. Two people were arrested but released without charge.

OTHER INCIDENTS - On 19 December, the first person was arrested under the charge of holding a "demonstration" on their own without prior written permission (as distinct from taking part in a demonstration). She was standing with Brian Haw carrying a banner saying "I am not the Serious Organised Criminal".
At a trial at Bow Street on 22 February 2006 this person was convicted.

There have been a number of other arrests of individuals for unauthorised protest.

EVENTS WHERE THE POLICE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO APPLY THE LAW - In December, police decided not to turn up to a carol service in Parliament Square and another name reading ceremony outside Downing Street held in open defiance of the law. On 7th January, the 6th month anniversary of the July bombings a ceremony was held at the cenotaph in open defiance of the law - again the police took no action. On 2 April 2006, the police were barely present at a large mass civil disobedience event in Parliament Square - NAMING THE DEAD - to protest against the occupation of Iraq. Even when a small crowd moved up to Downing Street, the police chose to take no action.

Reports from demos before the law was passed

Tuesday 14 March 2004, 4-6pm as, Parliament Sq, as the Bill was debated in the House of Lords

Photo by Miranda of the Green Party

Brian with Tony Benn

Monday 7 February 2005, 2-8pm, Parliament Sq, as the Bill was voted through the House of Commons.

Jointly called by: Action Against War, African Liberation Support Campaign, Barnet Green Party, Camden Green Party, Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, the Global Women's Strike, Greater London Pensioners Association, the Green Party, Legal Action for Women, Military Families Against War, Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, Network for Economic and Political Democracy, Orpington CND, Parliament Square Church, Payday, Peace and Human Rights Trust, Peace & Progress, South Somerset Peace Group, SOS: Save Our Speech: Parliament Square - supporters of Brian Haw, Voices in the Wilderness, Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition/CND, Michael Culver, John McDonnell MP, Tricia Goddard, Brian Haw, Corin Redgrave, Vanessa Redgrave, Tahrir Swift, Amanda Ward.

See press release
Also see Global Womens Strike photos

Simon Hughes MP (above) and John McDonnell MP (below) answering questions from protestors about the debate in the House of Commons

Photo by Moramay Herrera Kuri

Photo by Moramay Herrera Kuri

Brian, below, with MPs Simon Hughes and Lembit Opik

Photo by Moramay Herrera Kuri

Photo by Moramay Herrera Kuri