Paganarchy Press

The UK Parliament passed a hugely insidiously law stating that we can't protest in central London without first asking for permission from a certain Commissioner Ian Blair. You know him. He's the guy who many people feel must instantly resign as it appears that he has been involved in the cover up of the police fuck-up which resulted in the death of innocent civilian Jean Charles de Menezes.



So what's this about asking him for permission? That's right - the UK parliament has passed a new law that went live on August 1st, outlawing protesting in Central London without first asking Ian Blair for permission. A bunch of us went to central London 2 weeks ago but we didn't protest coz that would have been illegal.



The new law, which you should all know about, states that Ian Blair (or his deputy) is obliged to grant permission for your protest, which on the surface sounds reassuring - but he can put any condition on the protest he so chooses! What's more - the application to protest must be put in six working days before the date you plan to protest. It must be put in by hand or by registered post. The conditions Ian Blair can impose include his ability to limit the number of people who are allowed to be present at your protest. He can tell people to pack up and leave the protest site. He can limit the quantity and size of placards at the protest. And the use of all megaphones has been completely banned.



So - small placards, small numbers and no megaphones - sounds like a very quiet ineffectual protest indeed! I hear you say "Fuck that! It is my human right to protest!!". Read on...



The maximum penalty for organising an unauthorised protest is 51 weeks in prison and/or a level 4 fine. For attending an unauthorised protest, you can't go down but you can get a level 4 fine. It is up to the courts to determine what a level 4 fine is. If you go through the hoops (to be explained below) and ask for permission but don't comply with the conditions Ian Blair sets (e.g. your placard is too big) you can go down for 51 weeks!! So far, 11 people have been nicked for illegal protesting - they would love your support!



I personally feel this law is incredibly insidious. The result of this law is to psychically put a layer of control above us all. The resultant thought-form is "We cannot do what we like without permission". I perceive an an ongoing determined effort by those with the most political (and economic and military) power to consolidate their control over the rest of us. It's part of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. With a name like that, you better be sure which side you're on!



Are they really deliberately putting a psychic layer of control over the rest of us? Being in the UK it is easy to see how they have made self-organised parties illegal with many many many free raves having been violently shut down throughout the 90's. Also, the recent legislation outlawing even the handling of magic mushrooms is another example of government meddling in our private lives. Are these power-mongers trying to create a world where we feel we cannot do anything without their permission? Are we to live in a world where we must always look over our shoulder in case we're being watched? Do they really have the audacity to make us feel we can't be free and can't do what we like withouth their authority? Notice how it is only Parliament and the surrounding area that is affected? This can only further accentuates the "They are special; We are not;" mentality they are trying to foster.



Fuck it, I'm going to really support The Parliament 11 and I'm going to urge you all to also do the same. I insist that we can protest how and when we Will. We live in a free country and we Will keep it free. To seek some arsehole's permission before we protest is just so much bullshit. Is that really the world people want to live in? It seems three out of four brits would quite readily ditch their civil liberties.



Praying that you are from the one in four, let's meet up! There is now a Picnic at Parliament every sunday at 12 noon! See you there!



And if you really want to know more about how to ask Ian Blair for permission to protest, check out the Met Application form which can be found on Indymedia.