The #PoliceCrackdownBill targets what makes our protest rights meaningful and gives the police even more powers to shut protests down.
Breakdown of this dangerous Bill [THREAD]:
Breakdown of this dangerous Bill [THREAD]:
CONDITIONS
Currently a senior police officer can place 3 conditions on a static protest (that stays in one place):
1. place
2. duration
3. number of people
#PoliceCrackdownBill lets the officer place any condition "as appear to him necessary" - a dangerously broad power.
Currently a senior police officer can place 3 conditions on a static protest (that stays in one place):
1. place
2. duration
3. number of people
#PoliceCrackdownBill lets the officer place any condition "as appear to him necessary" - a dangerously broad power.
NOISE
The #PoliceCrackdownBill says "noise generated by persons taking part" is a reason for police to impose conditions on a protest if the noise "may result in
serious disruption to the activities of an organisation which are carried out in the vicinity".
The #PoliceCrackdownBill says "noise generated by persons taking part" is a reason for police to impose conditions on a protest if the noise "may result in
serious disruption to the activities of an organisation which are carried out in the vicinity".
So if it's a static protest (that stays in one place, like outside Parliament), police can impose conditions if the noise "may have a relevant impact on persons in the vicinity […] and that impact is significant."
That 'impact could be 'serious unease'.
This is huge.
These changes hide those in power from public criticism, because they can effectively ban protests outside a whole range of powerful institutions (eg Parliament or New Scotland Yard) on the basis of inconvenience or disruption.
These changes hide those in power from public criticism, because they can effectively ban protests outside a whole range of powerful institutions (eg Parliament or New Scotland Yard) on the basis of inconvenience or disruption.
"SERIOUS DISRUPTION"
#PoliceCrackdownBill allows the Home Secretary to say what "serious disruption" is.
So the State can change its meaning at will to target the protest of any group it doesn't like.
#PoliceCrackdownBill allows the Home Secretary to say what "serious disruption" is.
So the State can change its meaning at will to target the protest of any group it doesn't like.
CRIME TO BREACH CONDITIONS W/O KNOWING IT
#PoliceCrackdownBill will criminalise people who breach a police condition without knowing if they "ought to have known".
In effect, you could be criminalised if the police change conditions on the protest, but you didn't see the tweet.
#PoliceCrackdownBill will criminalise people who breach a police condition without knowing if they "ought to have known".
In effect, you could be criminalised if the police change conditions on the protest, but you didn't see the tweet.
This places an unfair burden on the organisers of protests to keep everyone in attendance informed and up to date on any conditions the police place on the protest.
And everyone there must also keep themselves up to date.
And everyone there must also keep themselves up to date.
INCREASED SENTENCES
#PoliceCrackdownBill will also increase max sentences.
Max punishment for an organiser who strays from police-imposed conditions has increased from 3months' imprisonment to 11months imprisonment.
Fines for organisers and attendees will also increase.
#PoliceCrackdownBill will also increase max sentences.
Max punishment for an organiser who strays from police-imposed conditions has increased from 3months' imprisonment to 11months imprisonment.
Fines for organisers and attendees will also increase.
NO PROTESTS AROUND PARLIAMENT
#PoliceCrackdownBill creates a buffer zone around Parliament.
When people are standing up to power, it's critical their voices can be heard. Banning protest in particular places of power could essentially make protests pointless.
#PoliceCrackdownBill creates a buffer zone around Parliament.
When people are standing up to power, it's critical their voices can be heard. Banning protest in particular places of power could essentially make protests pointless.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
#PoliceCrackdownBill means that you could commit a public nuisance - and face up to 10 years' imprisonment - by 'obstructing the public’.
Nearly all protests ‘obstruct’ the public in some way – isn't that the whole point?
#PoliceCrackdownBill means that you could commit a public nuisance - and face up to 10 years' imprisonment - by 'obstructing the public’.
Nearly all protests ‘obstruct’ the public in some way – isn't that the whole point?
#PoliceCrackdownBill would create criminal penalties for people who cause 'serious annoyance' - striking at the very heart or protest.
The criminal penalties for causing serious annoyance are up to 10 years in prison.
The criminal penalties for causing serious annoyance are up to 10 years in prison.
Even if protest was considered a reasonable defence, it would only be a defence IN COURT.
This will prevent people from taking to the streets and making their voices heard.
This will prevent people from taking to the streets and making their voices heard.
Check out our full briefing that was sent to every MP
https://twitter.com/libertyhq/status/1371120913975029760
Use this link to quickly and easily tweet your MP to scrap the #PoliceCrackdownBill action.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/page/78247/twe…
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