full report at  http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389039.html

film in mp4 and wmv format
mp4 quicktime can be viewed with vlc player (mac/linux/windows free download from videolan)

film lasts under 5 mins and includes interviews with john mcdonnell, simon hughes, mark wallinger, mark thomas, baroness miller, adam price, and daniel kawczynski

there are two screenings of socpa-the movie in south london on thurs and friday this week
full details at www.socpa-movie.blogspot.com

there is a 'freedom to protest' assembly on the raised pavement at trafalgar square north side on saturday 12th at 1pm. there is a call for people to arrive with blank banners. other events on saturday around the country. more details at  http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389038.html



The Home Office consultation, 'Managing Protest Around Parliament', is
available from:
 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2007-managing-protest.

or a PDF file of the Home Office consultation document is available here:
 http://tinyurl.com/2ap5l6.

Responses should be emailed to
 ProtestaroundParliament@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or can be sent in by post.

The three key points it raises are:

1. Whether police powers to control marches and assemblies across the UK should
be 'harmonised'.

As there are less powers in place to control assemblies (except around
Parliament and other sites designated under SOCPA), this 'harmonisation' is
likely to mean that legislation would be put in place to control assemblies in
the same way that marches are controlled (under the Public Order Act 1986). As
few as two people can constitute an assembly. Such 'harmonisation' could lead
to the police having the power to ban, restrict or control assemblies anywhere
in the UK or for people to have to get police authorisation for simply handing
out leaflets in your high street. Over recent years, new police powers and
interpretations of public order legislation have led to an increase in the
police trying to control dissent and free speech. There should be no new
provisions aimed at restricting or controlling free assembly and free speech
put in place.

2. Whether special provisions are needed for static demonstrations and marches
around Parliament.

The police have many powers to control such events already - provisions under
the Public Order Act, the Terrorism Act, anti social behaviour legislation,
bye-laws and others, as well as Sessional Orders which grant police special
powers to ensure Parliament is not disrupted while it is in session. Parliament
is the focus of protest and there should be no barriers to peaceful dissent
directed towards those in power. The restrictions on protest under SOCPA have
proved unworkable and discriminatory, they criminalise peaceful protestors and
allow the police to make political judgements on which protests need to be
controlled and they have a 'chilling effect' on free speech - when the public
perceives that freedom to protest has been restricted, people are less likely
to try and participate even if the law does say that no demonstration may be
banned outright.

3. Whether there are any special considerations to be taken into account around
Parliament.

The history of how SOCPA came into being shows that it was primarily drafted in
order to remove Brian Haw from his 24 hour peace vigil in Parliament Square. It
could be said that issues such as security, access to Parliament and 'equal
access to the right to protest' were only given weight in order to justify the
draconian new law. SOCPA does not address security issues or allow 'equal
access to protest' and there is other legislation in place to deal with
demonstrations that may restrict MPs' access to Parliament.

The most bare-bones response to the consultation process would therefore call:

(a) for Sections 132 - 138 of SOCPA to be repealed
(b) for there to be no increase in police powers to control marches and
assemblies (and so, in particular, no "harmonisation upwards")
(c) for there to be no new "special provisions" for static demonstrations and
marches around Parliament.

For a more detailed analysis see the consultation briefing document on
 http://www.repeal-socpa.info.