In a democracy, peaceful protest is a fundamental right.
It is no great surprise that our right-wing, populist and anti-democratic Government, which already has a track record of trying to suppress democracy (proroging Parliament anyone?), wishes to restrict the right to peaceful protest through its Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill currently passing through Parliament.
There are many aspects of this Bill which are deeply worrying to opposition political parties, campaigning organisations of all types and anyone who believes in freedoms in a democracy.
This includes the criminalisation of protesters who are “noisy enough to have a relevant impact” or cause “serious annoyance”. What exactly is the point of a protest or demonstration if it doesn't aim to have an impact?
I have previously written about this proposed legislation here including my own personal involvement in protests and demonstrations over the years.
As I said in that post, does anyone really want the streets of the UK to begin resembling the streets of Moscow, Hong Kong or Myanmar? Surely our democracy is more precious than that?
Here is yet another excellent press article expressing deep concern with this wholly undemocratic and excessively disproportionate piece of legislation.
The Guardian - What do we want? The right to noisy protests. When do we want it? Now!
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