Piers Corbyn guilty of lockdown protest restrictions breach – BBC News
‘Piers Corbyn has been found guilty of breaching coronavirus restrictions at an anti-lockdown gathering.’
BBC News, 2nd December 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: demonstrations
As a victim of undercover police spying, this inquiry has left me bruised, but buoyed – The Guardian
‘Uncovering that my partner was ‘Mark Kennedy’ was traumatic, but there’s hope in being part of something bigger than myself.’
The Guardian, 25th November 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Disability Discrimination Act: The disabled activists who brought London to a halt – BBC News
‘Twenty-five years ago the Disability Discrimination Act was passed, a landmark piece of legislation which ensured, for the first time, that disabled people had civil rights.’
BBC News, 8th November 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Coronavirus: Priti Patel bans demonstrations during England’s lockdown – The Independent
‘Demonstrations of more than two people are to be banned during the month-long lockdown in England, after ministers removed an exemption that has allowed protests to take place in recent months.’
The Independent,3rd November 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
HS2 protester given suspended sentence for contempt of court – Local Government Lawyer
‘A protester against the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project has been handed a suspended prison sentence for contempt of court after breaching an earlier order in the first such case concerning HS2.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st October 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Crimes linked to race and religion rise in England and Wales – The Guardian
‘The number of racially or religiously aggravated offences in England and Wales rose in June and July, most likely linked to Black Lives Matters rallies and far-right counter-protests, the Home Office has said.’
The Guardian, 13th October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Why Coronavirus Curbs On Our Liberty Need Better Scrutiny – Each Other
‘In recent months there have been growing media reports of anti-lockdown protests, supported by conspiracy theorists, in which demonstrators have made bizarre and outlandish claims. The conspiracies – unsupported by scientific evidence – are often couched in terms of “civil liberties” and “freedoms”.’
Each Other, 25th September 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘Free bunnies’ activists found guilty of trespass after anti-fur protest – The Guardian
‘Four anti-fur activists, dubbed the “free bunnies”, have been found guilty of aggravated trespass following a protest at a flagship Dolce & Gabbana store in Mayfair, London.’
The Guardian, 23rd September 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Extinction Rebellion ‘go floppy’ when arrested, complains senior Met officer – The Guardian
‘One of Britain’s most senior police officers has launched an angry tirade against Extinction Rebellion protesters going “all floppy” when they get arrested.’
The Guardian, 16th September 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
New injunction bars protesters from HS2 site in west London – The Guardian
‘HS2 has been granted a new injunction barring environmental protesters from land in west London where work on the high-speed rail link is being carried out.’
The Guardian, 4th September 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Black organiser of UK anti-racism rally threatened with arrest – The Guardian
‘A black community activist has accused police of discrimination after he was threatened with arrest and prosecution for organising an upcoming anti-racism protest march in London.’
The Guardian, 25th August 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Activists launch London legal action against UK officers in Hong Kong police – The Guardian
‘Pro-democracy activists have launched a private prosecution in London against five British officers working for the Hong Kong police, alleging they have taken part in brutal actions against protesters.’
The Guardian, 10th August 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
Judge gives reasons for granting interim injunction prohibiting anti-HS2 protesters from overnight sleeping and other acts on council land next to construction site – Local Government Lawyer
‘A High Court judge has issued his reasons for last month granting Hillingdon Council a limited interim injunction preventing a number of named defendants and persons unknown from doing certain acts on land at Harefield Moor owned by the council and adjoining the site of construction works for part of the HS2 railway line.’
Local Government Lawyer, 5th August 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
A Guide to Protestor Rights Balanced Against Police Powers – St Pauls Chambers
‘Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 enshrines the right to the freedom of expression and Article 11 establishes the right of freedom of assembly and association. However, these rights are qualified, meaning that, in certain circumstances, these rights can be interfered with. The interference with these rights must be proportionate and necessary in the pursuit of a legitimate aim. For example, protestor rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly may be compromised where this is necessary in order to ensure public safety, prevent crime or disorder, protect the rights of others, or national security.’
St Pauls Chambers, 18th July 2020
Source: www.stpaulschambers.com
Ministry of Defence reviews civil rights policy in armed forces after Navy base bans ‘taking the knee’ – The Independent
‘The Ministry of Defence is reviewing policy on how members of the armed forces can show solidarity with the fight for black civil rights after “taking the knee” was banned at a military base.’
The Independent, 1st July 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
The Use of Police Tactics to Disperse Protests and the Fine Line Between Legitimate Protesting and Anti-Social Behaviour – 3PB
‘A number of protests were held across the country and the world in response to the brutal killing of George Floyd in the United States. Although the protests were largely peaceful, there was some tension between the police and protesters over the weekend. This unfortunately resulted in some protesters and Legal Observers being kettled by the police. This note will provide a brief overview of the law surrounding the various tactics used by the police to disperse protests and maintain the peace. Some of the most commonly used tactics include kettling (otherwise known as containment) and the use of dispersal orders under s.35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The note will also focus on what constitutes ‘anti-social behaviour’ in the context of protests.’
3PB, 18th June 2020
Source: www.3pb.co.uk
