The English government has excelled itself for silly behaviour in recent years. Here's one of the best.
They have put in place a law which prohibits organised protests, without police permission, around Westminster.
Now, as Westminster is the seat of Government in the UK, you might think that's fair enough. The last thing we want is someone loading up a lot of gunpowder and blowing up the Houses of Parliament. Goodness, who would ever even think of such a thing?
However, it turns out the entire law - referred to as "Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act" - was intended to remove one, lone demonstrator.
Brian Haw is an anti-war demonstrator who has camped out on the lawns of Westminster for four years. The new law can't remove him, as his protest predates the Act. That does not prevent our security services having fun with it.
Here, take a look at this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4507446.stm
Maya Evans, a cook, wanted to read out the names of those soldiers and civilians killed in Iraq. The place she chose to do this was the cenotaph at Westminster. (for those to whom the word may not be familiar, it's a memorial to those killed in the Great Wars.)
She was arrested and charged under the same Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, found guilty, and mercifully given a conditional discharge.
Serious organised crime? A woman reading a list of names? Teachers, take care when reading those registers in class. You never know when Special Branch will be calling.
Here's another one:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4465650.stm
Taxi drivers wanted to drive around Westminster in protest at congestion-charging. They were told that any taxi driver who tried, risked arrest.
So, if you're in Westminster, and you call for a taxi, don't be surprised if you have a long wait. If they try to get to you, they'll be locked up.
I am fortunate in that I live a long way from Westminster. I dread to think what would happen to me if I stopped to tie my shoelace in the street.
2 comments:
Sounds like the best protest for that area would be to not go into that area. People unable to get a cab, shopkeepers who saw a loss in sales, etc would soon be demanding the law be changed.
I agree - I thought a more effective taxi protest would be simply to refuse to pick up any politician from Westminster, or anywhere within half a mile of it.
Most of our politicians could use some exercise anyway - and it's about time they found out how 'safe' it is to walk London's streets.
I'm just happy I don't have to live there.
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