Met uses new anti-protest powers to arrest climate protesters for first time – The Guardian

Posted November 1st, 2023 in climate change, demonstrations, London, news, police, public order by sally

‘Police have arrested more than 60 climate activists taking part in a slow march outside parliament in the first use of draconian new anti-protest powers.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 30th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bristol grandma among Just Stop Oil M25 activists spared jail – BBC News

‘A 76-year-old grandmother is among 12 activists spared jail for causing “massive disruption” on the M25.’

Full Story

BBC News, 31st October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Gaps in UK law allowing ‘jihad’ to be shouted were ‘known to government’ – The Guardian

Posted October 23rd, 2023 in demonstrations, government departments, London, news, police, terrorism by tracey

‘Gaps in UK law that would allow words such as “jihad” to be shouted at rallies were known to the government but not acted upon, Britain’s former head of counter-terrorism has revealed.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Women still being harassed at abortion clinics despite buffer zone law – The Guardain

Posted October 19th, 2023 in abortion, demonstrations, government departments, harassment, news by sally

‘Women using abortion clinics are still being harassed despite MPs voting a year ago to create buffer zones to stop protesters intimidating them, medical and abortion groups say.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Israel-Hamas war: what are the laws about protest in England and Wales? – The Guardian

‘Police have made dozens of arrests after protests across the UK against a bombing campaign and expected ground war in Gaza after the murderous attacks by Hamas in Israel.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 16th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

CPS prosecution guidance on protests and demonstrations in light of the Middle East conflict – Crown Prosecution Service

‘The CPS is aware that following the recent disturbing events in the Middle East, the public and many different communities may be concerned about protests or demonstrations. The CPS recognises that whilst in the main demonstrations and protests will be peaceful and lawful, there may be incidents of public disorder and it is possible that some individuals may commit criminal offences.’

Full Story

Crown Prosecution Service, 13th October 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Just Stop Oil pair jailed over bridge protest lose Supreme Court appeal bid – The Independent

Posted October 12th, 2023 in appeals, demonstrations, news, nuisance, road traffic, sentencing, Supreme Court by sally

‘Two Just Stop Oil protesters jailed after scaling a bridge at the Dartford Crossing have lost a bid to challenge their sentences at the Supreme Court.’

Full Story

The Independent, 11th October 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Animal Rising activist given suspended sentence for Derby course invasion – The Guardian

‘Ben Newman, a member of the activist group Animal Rising who ran on to the course at Epsom shortly after the start of the Derby, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for contempt of court on Wednesday after he admitted breaching an injunction granted to the Jockey Club in May to prevent disruption at the Derby meeting.;

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th October 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

King’s Coronation: 21 people arrested face no further action, Met says – BBC News

Posted October 6th, 2023 in demonstrations, news, nuisance, police, public order, royal family by michael

‘Some 21 people who were arrested at the King’s Coronation will face no further action, the Met Police has said.’

Full Story

BBC News, 5th October 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Trudi Warner reveals the dark secret of English courts: juries do have the right to follow their consciences – The Guardian

Posted September 27th, 2023 in climate change, criminal justice, demonstrations, freedom of expression, juries, news by sally

‘The solicitor general taking action against a climate protester who held up a sign outside court raises a vital issue for criminal justice.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 27th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Fears over right to protest after woman with sign at climate trial prosecuted – The Guardian

‘Civil liberty campaigners have warned that the prosecution of a woman for holding up a placard about the rights of jurors outside a court is part of the government’s increasing attacks on the right to protest.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 19th September 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Women arrested at vigil for murdered Sarah Everard win Met Police payout and apology – The Indepdent

Posted September 14th, 2023 in compensation, coronavirus, demonstrations, London, news, penalties, police, women by tracey

‘The Metropolitan Police are paying compensation to two women handcuffed and arrested at a vigil for Sarah Everard, murdered by police officer Wayne Couzens.’

Full Story

The Independent, 14th September 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Met only authorised baton rounds for black-led events, FOI reveals – The Guardian

‘The only events for which Metropolitan police chiefs authorised the potential use of baton rounds in the past six years were black-led gatherings, documents show.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 6th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

HS2 Euston tunnellers given suspended sentences after retrial – The Guardian

‘Six environmental activists who underwent a retrial over charges related to tunnelling near Euston station in London in protest against HS2 have been sentenced.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 1st August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Just Stop Oil protesters have appeals blocked over Dartford crossing sentences – The Guardian

Posted August 1st, 2023 in appeals, demonstrations, environmental protection, news, nuisance, roads, sentencing by sally

‘Two Just Stop Oil protesters who scaled the bridge at the Dartford crossing, closing it to traffic for more than a day and a half, have been refused permission to appeal against their sentences.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 31st July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Contempt threat against climate activist may undermine trial by jury, lawyers say – The Guardian

‘Leading lawyers have accused the government of undermining trial by jury after a climate activist was told she faces contempt proceedings over holding a sign outside court.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 26th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Protests: Police powers to stop new tactics come into effect – BBC News

‘New measures aimed at curbing protest methods often used by environmental groups have come into effect.’

Full Story

BBC News, 2nd July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Curbing protest disruption – Law Society’s Gazette

‘As many will have seen in the media, environmental activist group Insulate Britain (IB) has carried out London protests in a manner deliberately designed to cause serious disruption. These protest tactics have included activists deliberately blocking highways by sitting down in the road, and often gluing themselves to its surface and/or locking themselves to each other to make their removal more time-consuming. IB has repeatedly stated that these protests will continue until its demands are met.’

Full Story

Law Society's Gazette, 16th June 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Liberty launches judicial review challenge arguing protest law is “unjustified interference” with Parliamentary sovereignty – Local Government Lawyer

‘The National Council for Civil Liberties, also known as Liberty, is threatening a judicial review of the Home Secretary’s efforts to widen the circumstances in which the police can impose conditions on people organising or taking part in protests.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 19th June 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Activists who blocked road to stop UK deportation flight to Jamaica acquitted – The Guardian

Posted June 14th, 2023 in demonstrations, deportation, immigration, Jamaica, news, nuisance, roads by sally

‘Three activists who lay on a road outside an immigration detention centre to prevent people being put on a Home Office deportation flight to Jamaica have been cleared by a jury of charges of causing a public nuisance.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 13th June 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com