Eric Jinks and Jason Simons were charged under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act with "failing to leave the land, namely CARDIFF CASTLE, as soon as reasonably practical". Astonishingly, the basics of the charges against the two is the allegation that they were trespassing on public land (Cardiff Castle grounds). They are due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 8th 2012 and if convicted face a maximum sentence of three months imprisonment.

The police action is an assault on everyone's rights to express ourselves publicly and peacefully protest and is therefore a threat to the democratic rights of everyone in Wales. We call for the charges against Eric and Jason to be dropped and for the Police to cease to use this legislation to constrict democratic protest.

Eric and Jason are in court tomorrow morning Wednesday 8th February. A demonstration to support them and to defend the right to protest starts at Cardiff Magistrates Court at 9am. There will be live music, poetry, and speakers include AMs Huw Lewis (Labour) and Bethan Jenkins (Plaid Cymru),
trade unionists and members of Occupy Cardiff. There is also a plan for a funeral procession for the right to protest, complete with coffin.

Please come and join your voice together with everyone calling for the charges to be dropped, and to defend our right to peaceful protest.

Previous post:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/11/488504.html