‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘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
‘HS2 protesters have been accused of practising early morning yoga, swimming naked in a lake and “howling at the moon” as a council seeks a high court injunction to stop direct action against the project.’
The Guardian, 13th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Black families in the UK whose loved ones have died in incidents involving the police have called for the abolition of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which investigates the police, and the immediate suspension of officers involved in deaths as part of a new plan to address systemic racism and unlawful killings.’
The Guardian, 14th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The general rule is that everyone has the right to associate with others and to gather together for a common purpose. Article 11 of the ECHR safeguards our right to peaceful assembly and is one of the foundations of a democratic society. This means that the State cannot interfere with your right to join a peaceful assembly and protest, even if the protest is against the State itself, or simply because the protest might cause inconvenience or lead to heated debate and tension. Article 11 does not safeguard intentionally violent protests; the State can interfere where a protest turns violent.’
3PB, 4th June 2020
Source: www.3pb.co.uk
‘British courts are preparing to fast-track prosecutions for the Black Lives Matter protests, as justice secretary Robert Buckland has told magistrates to model the process along the lines of the response to rioting in London in 2011, The Times reported.’
Daily Telegraph, 12th June 2020
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘Black people account for 3% of the population, but 8% of deaths in custody. As a former chief prosecutor, I know this is only the end point of a system that disproportionately suspects, arrests, convicts and imprisons BAME people.’
The Guardian, 11th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Criminal barrister Rebecca Penfold has co-authored an article with Aparna Rao of 5 Paper Buildings about Covid-19 and the right to protest. It asks what rights do individual citizens have to protest, whilst subject to lockdown restrictions in England?’
St John's Buildings, 3rd June 2020
Source: stjohnsbuildings.com
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