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Protests back in the Square?
CAMPAIGNERS against repressive terror laws banning unauthorised protests in Parliament Square claimed a cautious victory this week after a leaked memo revealed plans to repeal parts of the law.
It is claimed Gordon Brown wants to axe the controversial part of the Serious Organised Crimes and Police Act (Socpa) banning protests within a kilometre of Parliament.
The memo reveals plans to allow demonstrators back into the historic square within the first 100 days of his premiership.
The backtrack follows a mass campaign from comedian Mark Thomas, peace groups and fronted by the iconic Brian Haw.
The anti-war campaigner, in his sixth year living in the square, was voted Britain’s most inspirational man earlier this year.
Mr Thomas said: “Bad laws inherently have the seeds of their own destruction within them.
“Socpa made wearing a badge in Parliament Square an arrestable offence if the wearer didn’t have permission from the police.
“Socpa is bad law and was going to go at some point it was just a question of when.
“I feel delighted but cautious – let’s see what Brown actually is going to do first.”
And Maya Evans, the first to be convicted under the laws for ringing a bell outside Downing Street, said: “This is testimony that protest matters and can make a difference.”
Mr Haw, while berating Socpa officials searching peace camp tents on Wednesday morning, said: “They won’t stop coming in the night for me. They have never needed justification for that.”
And sceptics of Mr Brown’s peace credentials pointed to the wording of the memo that outlines plans to erect new barriers, walls, balustrades and bollards around Parliament Square.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We won’t comment on hearsay.” |
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