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Campaigners prepare to hand over their petition at No 10 Downing Street on Wednesday |
Cross-party campaigners present civil liberties petition to no.10
CIVIL liberties campaigners and a cross-party coalition of politicians delivered a petition to Downing Street on Wednesday to highlight “ominous signs” of a further assault on protesters’ rights.
A review of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, ordered by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in July, recommends extending police powers. By “harmonising” laws governing marching and assembling, groups of as few as two people would need police permission to assemble anywhere in the country.
It also recommends allowing police to place conditions restricting the content of banners and placards.
Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Miller, Labour MP John McDonnell and Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski were joined by peace campaigners Walter Wolfgang, Maya Evans and the comedian Mark Thomas outside the Prime Minister’s home.
Baroness Miller, who introduced a Private Member’s Bill to repeal sections of Socpa, said: “Harmonisation of the marching and assembly laws would lead to stricter rules for demonstrations in London and across England and Wales.
“This is unacceptable and should not be considered in the context of a review designed to relax the rules governing demonstrations around Parliament.”
Maya Evans, the first woman to be arrested under the Serious Organised Crimes and Police Act, said: “The danger is that the Government will be able to score media points for repealing unnecessary and draconian legislation, whilst in reality further tightening the screws on protest and dissent around the UK.”
Public consultation on the document closes on January 17.
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