rikki has posted a report about Sunday 18th September's arrests in Parliament Square in a posting on the Indymedia UK website (which too often seems to suffer from technical and legal "collateral damage").
Were these arrests under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, or were they under other Police powers ?
"more arrests at parliament square under soca law today rikki | 18.09.2005 19:29 | Indymedia | Londonfive people were arrested late this afternoon for defying the ban on 'unauthorised protest' in parliament square under the new serious organised crime act legislation which became effective at the start of august this year
this afternoon's pro-democracy demonstration started well, with a small crowd sporting banners with many varied slogans contesting the draconian ban on protest in parliament square. armed with lists of bye-laws, protesters urged police to arrest people on all sorts of archaic and bizarre grounds, but without success. it seemed there was no quota for this afternoon!
later on, the crowd decided to move on to the south bank where preparations are underway for this evening's 'festival of light' public festival and procession attended by ken livingstone. although still in the 'designated area' the group was told by officers from lambeth police that they could carry on and so they demonstrated and informed people about the law in the area near the london eye. at one point private security guards tried to stop them, but as the police had basically given permission, they gave up a bit confused."
The Designated Area apparently comes under the jurisdiction of 3 different bits of the Metropolitan Police - most of it is under Westminster Borough Operational Command Unit (usually Charing Cross Police Station), the London Eye etc. South Bank of the Thames is under Lambeth Borough Operational Cammand Unit (probably Kennington Police Station), and then there is the Palace of Westminster Divsion (SO17).
"it was apparent once again that most people were unaware of this anti-democratic legislation, and many expressed surprise and disgust when they were informed.some of the group decided to return to parliament square, and while attempting to hang a banner round churchill's neck they came to the attention of the police once again, and this time there were five arrests. it is not known whether soca legislation was used or whether other laws relating to the banner drop were used. the arrested are being held at charing cross police station this evening."
Surely that was a tactical mistake ? Posing in front of the statue of Sir Winston Churchill for press and media photos with banners is one thing, but foolishly draping or attempting to drape banners on the statue itself, was bound to be seen as "conspiracy to cause criminal damage" in the "reasonable opinion or belief" of the Police.
"meanwhile one or two protesters are still roaming the crowds at the south bank informing the crowds of this law, and hoping to both take part in the procession and to meet up with red (haha) ken as he does his customary walkabout.to date, there have been 12 prior arrests under the new legislation and some of those waiting for charges on police bail are under condition not to return to parliament square. this condition is likely to be challenged in the courts, as of course will the whole law be if charges are finally brought.
there are ongoing protests, picnics and discussion groups at parliament square every sunday from noon, and you are all urged and welcome to attend - you can decide for yourself what level of challenge you wish to make to the law and thus whether to personally risk arrest, but at present it seems safe to simply go there and chat and picnic as police seem to be under political control and are simply targetting organisers and arresting quotas as instructed.
rikki"
If these arrests were under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and none of the people involved have been arrested more than once, there could now be 17 people facing criminal charges, since 1st August 2005, for demonstrating peacefully about the curtailment of the right of free assembly, freedom of speech and freedom to protest or demonstrate peacefully.
Hi everyone, i was arrested yesterday, just to confirm it was under section 132 of the serious organised crime and police act and the police did not arrest anyone because of the churchill thing. We were picnicking and they gave us time to leave before arrest but we refused and were therefore arrested. 17 it IS! cheers for all the support.