Join me at the final simultaneous lone mass demo of 2006
What better way that to mark the ending of 12 months of blogging, and celebrating free speech, than by coming together in festive individualistic harmony to defend free speech outside Parliament, still the seat of democracy, in the now-legendary Lone Mass Demonstrations organised by comedian Mark Thomas , his supporters and others who wish in the future to proudly tell their grandchildren how they politely, legally and enjoyably fought for freedom? Well, it's a great week for it. Come and join me....
First off, Brian Haw and the SOCPA test case.
What's that? In a nutshell: Brian Haw faces a jail sentence for failing to comply with controversial new anti-protest law ( SOCPA).
What can I do? Turn up in support and/or pass this on.
Where? Monday 11th to Wednesday 13 December, Marylebone Road Magistrates' Court
9.30am gathering of support, 10am trial
I'll be doing the supporting Brian thing on Monday at half-nine outside the Marylebone magistrates court, followed by...
....the final Simulataneous Lone Mass Demonstration in Parliament Square of the year.
Remind me?
The idea of the Simulataneous Lone Mass demonstrations is that you draw attention to the stupidity of the Serious Organised Crime & Police Act laws which prohibit peaceful mass demos outside Parliament without permission. By applying to protest as an individual about anything you like - silly or serious - and doing so, as a lone individual - together - simulataneously - with other lone protesters - and by applying en masse to protest as individuals - you draw attention to the crapness of the law. Whilst obeying the letter of it.
It is 100% legal, it is making a serious point in a satirical way and it is great fun. One day you will tell your grandchildren you were there, I promise.)
Over to the organisers...
''The end of the year is upon us, it's time for the last Mass Lone Demo of 2006 and we've heard it on the grapevine that someone rather special will be joining the cause. News of the disturbing erosion of UK civil liberties has travelled across the world and Father Christmas himself will be making an application to demonstrate in Parliament Sq on the 20th December, handing in his form at Charing Cross Police Station on Monday 11th December between 12-2pm.
Also in attendance will be several of his elf helpers who have beenequally distressed by this gross attack on the right to protest. One elf, speaking to us on condition of anonymity, said: "Particularly at this timeof peace on earth and goodwill to all men it shocks and saddens me that theUK government has implemented such draconian legislation."
Please come and show your support for Santa and his friends and hand in your own application for the MLD. If you are unable to attend, you can of course hand in your application up to six days before the 20th December ( ie. by the 14th December)
The demonstration itself will as usual be in Parliament Square from 6pm until 7pm on 20th December.
(The application forms can be got by going here
http://www.markthomasinfo.com/demo/default.asp
http://www.markthomasinfo.com/downloads/documents/Form%203175A.pdf
[MS WORD] [PDF]
or if in dire straits, by emailing me at rachelnorthlondon.....AT.....googlemail.com. - RN)
Please forward this on to as many people as possible and let's make this last demo of the year a real cracker.
If you have any questions then please contact either tricia_bird......AT........yahoo.com
or Fizza at fizza.qureshi.....AT.......gmail.com.
Thanks, on behalf of Mark Thomas. Mob No: 07952 145854'' ( this is not my mobile but the mobile of one of the demo organisers - RN)
NOTES: The completed forms should be sent back to Charing Cross Police Station by one of the following methods.
1. Hand delivery to Charing Cross Police Station up to six days before the 20th December
2. Sent by recorded delivery to Operations Office,Charing Cross Police Station, Agar Street, London, WC2N 4JP
3. Taken into any Metropolitan Police Station, the Station Officer should sign the form in the appropriate place.
They should then:(a) Photocopy the form and hand you a copy.(b) Send a copy by fax to this office on 47527 ( c) Send the original by internal dispatch to Operations Office at CX.''
(Detail, detail to remind you of previous events
Review of what a top laugh it was last time)
Remember! Demonstrating is completely LEGAL as long as you have gone through the charade of getting written permission. Got it?
Here's a quick reminder....
(a) Support Brian Haw, Mon 11th Dec - Wed 13th 9.30am Magistrates Court ( I'll be there Monday9.30am)
(b) Hand in forms for SOCPA protest with Santa Monday 11th 12-2pm - ( I'll be there Monday 12pm) or until 14th Dec by hand/recorded delivery at Charing Cross police station, then roll up forthe ....
c) 20th December Final lone mass demo of the year.
Thank you. See you there!
Might sing a few carols too. And down the Red Lion after, of course.
First off, Brian Haw and the SOCPA test case.
What's that? In a nutshell: Brian Haw faces a jail sentence for failing to comply with controversial new anti-protest law ( SOCPA).
What can I do? Turn up in support and/or pass this on.
Where? Monday 11th to Wednesday 13 December, Marylebone Road Magistrates' Court
9.30am gathering of support, 10am trial
I'll be doing the supporting Brian thing on Monday at half-nine outside the Marylebone magistrates court, followed by...
....the final Simulataneous Lone Mass Demonstration in Parliament Square of the year.
Remind me?
The idea of the Simulataneous Lone Mass demonstrations is that you draw attention to the stupidity of the Serious Organised Crime & Police Act laws which prohibit peaceful mass demos outside Parliament without permission. By applying to protest as an individual about anything you like - silly or serious - and doing so, as a lone individual - together - simulataneously - with other lone protesters - and by applying en masse to protest as individuals - you draw attention to the crapness of the law. Whilst obeying the letter of it.
It is 100% legal, it is making a serious point in a satirical way and it is great fun. One day you will tell your grandchildren you were there, I promise.)
Over to the organisers...
''The end of the year is upon us, it's time for the last Mass Lone Demo of 2006 and we've heard it on the grapevine that someone rather special will be joining the cause. News of the disturbing erosion of UK civil liberties has travelled across the world and Father Christmas himself will be making an application to demonstrate in Parliament Sq on the 20th December, handing in his form at Charing Cross Police Station on Monday 11th December between 12-2pm.
Also in attendance will be several of his elf helpers who have beenequally distressed by this gross attack on the right to protest. One elf, speaking to us on condition of anonymity, said: "Particularly at this timeof peace on earth and goodwill to all men it shocks and saddens me that theUK government has implemented such draconian legislation."
Please come and show your support for Santa and his friends and hand in your own application for the MLD. If you are unable to attend, you can of course hand in your application up to six days before the 20th December ( ie. by the 14th December)
The demonstration itself will as usual be in Parliament Square from 6pm until 7pm on 20th December.
(The application forms can be got by going here
http://www.markthomasinfo.com/demo/default.asp
http://www.markthomasinfo.com/downloads/documents/Form%203175A.pdf
[MS WORD] [PDF]
or if in dire straits, by emailing me at rachelnorthlondon.....AT.....googlemail.com. - RN)
Please forward this on to as many people as possible and let's make this last demo of the year a real cracker.
If you have any questions then please contact either tricia_bird......AT........yahoo.com
or Fizza at fizza.qureshi.....AT.......gmail.com.
Thanks, on behalf of Mark Thomas. Mob No: 07952 145854'' ( this is not my mobile but the mobile of one of the demo organisers - RN)
NOTES: The completed forms should be sent back to Charing Cross Police Station by one of the following methods.
1. Hand delivery to Charing Cross Police Station up to six days before the 20th December
2. Sent by recorded delivery to Operations Office,Charing Cross Police Station, Agar Street, London, WC2N 4JP
3. Taken into any Metropolitan Police Station, the Station Officer should sign the form in the appropriate place.
They should then:(a) Photocopy the form and hand you a copy.(b) Send a copy by fax to this office on 47527 ( c) Send the original by internal dispatch to Operations Office at CX.''
(Detail, detail to remind you of previous events
Review of what a top laugh it was last time)
Remember! Demonstrating is completely LEGAL as long as you have gone through the charade of getting written permission. Got it?
Here's a quick reminder....
(a) Support Brian Haw, Mon 11th Dec - Wed 13th 9.30am Magistrates Court ( I'll be there Monday9.30am)
(b) Hand in forms for SOCPA protest with Santa Monday 11th 12-2pm - ( I'll be there Monday 12pm) or until 14th Dec by hand/recorded delivery at Charing Cross police station, then roll up forthe ....
c) 20th December Final lone mass demo of the year.
Thank you. See you there!
Might sing a few carols too. And down the Red Lion after, of course.
posted by Rachel at 7:23 pm
I'll (hopefully) be there - it'll make up for not being at the November one
I cannot wait to arrest the lot of you under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. You will all be punished first and then subjected to a fair trial later. This goes to prove what I have been saying, that there will be a terrorist attack over Christmas. Dame Eliza Dolittle-Mainwaring-Bullshit, head of MI5, has her beady eyes on you lot. I am even thinking that carol singing might pose a significant threat...
OK you don't like the law. Fair enough. Get it changed, vote in a new lot. Protest jump around wave banners in Parliament square or whatever.
However this guy broke the law and deserves to be punished. He's been lounging around parliament square protesting about anything and everything for years. He's more squatter tramp than fighter for justice and I for one can't wait for the day that he packs it in and I don't have to see his grubby shanty town hovel on my way to work each morning.
I just handed in my form. It was fun. Mark Thomas was there dressed as Santa with an entourage of elves. Once more I'm going to be protesting against the surveillance society. The Policeman dealing with the forms said he'd be watching me... Ho Ho!
See ya there
Dx
Rachel
I've nominated Sections 132-138 of SOCPA for the BBC Radio 4 Today programme's Christmas Repeal riff. Let's hope they pick it up.
Here: http://ducknewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-repeal.html
Have a good one. I'll be in Colorado on the 20th so won't be able to make this, otherwise I'd be there. Not that I'd apply for permission anyway. I refuse to apply for permission to protest from those I'm protesting against. And anway, laws passed by traitors and criminals are not valid.
Have one for me at the Red Lion!
if you only knew the cash the govrnment has been throwing at external lawyers in dealing with Mr Haw- to no avail. One of these days, government officials will learn to take a commercial approach to my tax rather than insisting to piss it down the pan pursuing petty personal vendettas against a "squatter tramp".