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A legal protest in Parliament square.

Guido | 27.05.2006 16:51 | SOCPA | Anti-militarism | Repression | Social Struggles | London

On Thursday May 25th a legal demo took place when Superintendent Peter Terry of Charing cross nick licensed Mark Thomas to hold a protest in Parliament square against the licensing of protests in parliament square.

"We are hereby licenced to protest against protest licencing"
"We are hereby licenced to protest against protest licencing"

1.15pm Mark and Brian enjoy a 'legal' debate about democracy in 2006.
1.15pm Mark and Brian enjoy a 'legal' debate about democracy in 2006.

1.48pm "The gathering is still legal as they are discussing other stuff."
1.48pm "The gathering is still legal as they are discussing other stuff."


The demo was permitted between 1pm and 1.45pm solely for the protesting against the previously mentioned legislation. For this reason people who arrived with placards containing illegal slogans like ‘No War’ and ‘Peace’ had to be advised of their legal status and warned that they may face arrest. This turn of events seemed particularly likely when you consider the MET recently spent a mere £28,000 removing the parts of Brian Haw’s protest that did not fit within the 3 metre restriction that the law allows. Commissioner ‘Sir’ Ian Blair had tried to say that the removal had only cost £8,000. Unfortunately ‘Sir’ Ian suffers from a serious illness that affects people called Blair and their ability to tell the truth.

As Big Ben struck 1.45 those who had gathered stopped discussing politics (as that was now illegal) and started talking about non-political subjects like football and the weather. There was always the risk that these topics might lead into political territory like global warming or ‘Is it un-PC to support England?’ but no arrests were made. Sadly no Police were around to confirm the parameters of the discussion as the demo coincided with happy hour in Soho. Fortunately two community support officers were on hand to pass the message on so that any alerts concerning a terror threat to parliamentary democracy could be avoided.

On a serious note the discussion held (legally) between the hours of 1pm and 1.45pm was most engaging and productive .It was agreed by those present that the recent changes to the law with regard to Parliament and it’s surroundings area were confusing and needed further investigation. For this reason a number of (legal) demos will called in the coming days to test the possible implications for anyone wishing to make their point in countrys with a
reputation for defending democracy like this one.

Rumours were circulating that a protest was being planned for Saturday June 3rd by ‘surrealists’ which should help those who are interested determine what is political. Fears of a counter demonstration against the ‘Defence of Surrealism’ protest by ‘Cubists’ or ‘Impressionists’ have yet to be confirmed………..

Guido
- e-mail: guidoreports@riseup.net

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

Reclaim The "Orange Revolution" in '06

27.05.2006 19:19

I apologize, but I haven't had time to rewrite this. I hope that, given these new actions by the Government That Hates Dissent (and the Law, and Reality), that The Anti-War/Social Justice Movement will give them a real demonstration of what they're capable of.

Brian Haw was nothing ... !

Cindy Sheehan's courageous actions in Texas have captured the imaginations of an American public desperate for an end to this madness. We must give them something they can get behind, while the Bush/PNAC Regime is vulnerable, and before the next big Distraction we all sense is imminent. Let's send an unmistakable message of unity and determination to the world, and end this now before things get any worse.

Since the demonstrations which reversed the electoral decision in the Ukraine, I've heard and seen many Ukrainians talking about large groups of foreigners who were pivotal to their planning. Many of these groups were the ones responsible for paying for the food, shelter, and orange banners used by the protestors. I didn't think much of this, or the accusations of funding from agencies such as the CIA, until I saw the same thing occuring in Lebanon.

Then, a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ( http://www.cbc.ca), Carol Off, did a piece explaining that the "spontaneous, grassroots" protests in the Ukraine were the result of CIA funding and planning over a period of ten years.

Sadly, the report lauded these tactics of Regime Change, but nonetheless, proved my point.

One thing I've noticed is the tightly-controlled Western media's willingness to ignore the unsubstantiated allegations made in Syria and Lebanon that the Central Intelligence Agency, or Israel's Mossad, or both, were responsible for actions like the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, and behind the recent Opposition Movements, while at the same time, parroting over and over the same unsubstantiated claims about Syria, emanating from the White House den of LIARS and thieves. Even media outlets which I consider better than the rest, like the CBC, are guilty of such irresponsibility. When pro-Syrian demonstrators turned out in the hundreds of thousands, proving the anti-Syrians to be the minority voice, the media downplayed these numbers.

Just feels a bit too staged for my taste ... What I find the most irresonsible about all of this is the fact that whoever is behind this, they are attempting (and succeeding) to divide the Lebanese People, and cause conflict both within the country, and towards Syria. This, of course, aids the Israelis and PNAC Americans, who both have an interest, and want to invade and occupy Syria (and perhaps Lebanon as well), as called for repeatedly by the agenda which has seen Bush/PNAC illegally invade two Arab nations already.

The CBC chose Janice Stein, a Zionist "Middle East Expert" to comment on the situation, and she said when she saw the demonstrations she "saw the colour orange". This was after the first anti-Syrian demo, when the colour scheme wasn't so pronounced. Since then, orange flags, placards, etc. have started "spontaneously" appearing in great numbers.

When I was in university, my Design professor brought in some Colour Researchers from the University of Edmonton, who lectured on the psychological, but also the PHYSICAL effects, colours have on the human body and mind. This red-orange colour is one of the "comfort colours", and you will no doubt remember seeing it in countless commercials (ING Direct, and the creepy, stereotypical European banker, anyone ... ?).

Since the CIA, or Mossad, or whoever is ultimately behind these carefully stage-managed displays, you know they understand what they're doing. I believe that we should be taking a cue from them, and striking while the iron is hot.

This orange colour scheme has been carefully crafted in order to transmit "armchair understanding" of these two manufactured crises.

Even though it was our Enemy putting it out there, for their own purposes, we should seize the opportunity to claim it for ourselves. After all, we have been granted an unprecedented look inside the CIA's "Handbook for Non-Violent Revolution", and you know damn well that they have studied all of the relevant psychological factors.

If you are to protest, from now on, DRESS IN ORANGE, and CARRY SIGNS OF ORANGE, rally at the feet of power, and the media, DEMANDING that the democratic Will of the People not be ignored. I guarantee this will send an instant message, not only to the Bush/PNAC/Bliar Regime, but to all Americans and to the world that sees it.

Keep your signs easy to read and understand, things such as "FIRE THE LIARS", "INVESTIGATE, IMPEACH, PROSECUTE" and at media centres, "LIARS", or "TRAITORS", or "COWARDS".

Groups should design some Talking Points, and designate members to speak with the reporters on-scene. In larger centres, you should inform the media of what's going to happen, and call the stations' News Director or Assignment Editor, and request to be interviewed. You could even take it further, and offer your services as an Activist Analyst for the day, just like they use ex-military personnel, and members of Right-Wing "Think-Tanks".

Let's test these LIARS and War Criminals, and their media puppets, and see just how much they truly respect "Freedom & Democracy", the words upon which they attempt to justify the attrocities upon which they've built their fortunes.

Regardless of what happens, the message will be sent. We have nothing to lose. If something comes of this, then great. Follow up and celebrate. If the rallies are ignored, or treated by the police as those in the past, then you've just PROVEN these men to be the Hypocrites we all know them to be.

I'd like to see as many people as can not simply Rally for a few hours, but for DAYS. Those who cannot make it there, plan and hold your own local rallies, and not only gather where your Government officials meet, but also where the media does its business.

Let's take this thing that was designed to dupe people into supporting what the Fascists in DC want, and turn it on its head.

Let's use it as a tool for bringing that Fascism to its knees, and demonstrate the good intentions that were to be assumed about the "Orange Revolutionaries".

Remember, that we are the Majority, and Truth is our greatest Ally.

The only way we can fail, is if we fail to ACT.

P E A C E . . . ?

"No matter how far you have traveled down the wrong road, turn back"
- Ancient Egyptian Proverb

There will be a PLant along to Cast Doubt on my ideas, and attack my person (Seems to be followong me around ...), but you'll recognize his Ad Hominem Tactics of Disinformation, and his transparent focus.

25 Tactics of Disinformation:
 http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2003/11/82358_comment.php#82516

Logical Fallacies: Of Propaganda & Disinformation:
 http://www.vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/09/161414.php

www.meetwithcindy.com

Overthrow The Criminal Regime


keep us informed

27.05.2006 21:27

if you get the demo 'legalised' post it here so that we know its ok and see who turns up

silent bob


Why are people giving in?

29.05.2006 04:03

What is the point of asking police permission to demonstrate? This is an anathema surely?

Alf Narkist


Point missed...

30.05.2006 10:19

People are not giving in. The whole point of calling a legal demo with a title like "In defense of surrealism" (THIS SATURDAY JUNE 3rd AT 12PM) is to make the SOCPA legislation look stupid and hopefully the cops as well.

Guido
mail e-mail: guidoreports@riseup.net


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