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Critical Mass Illegal ???

Bristly Pioneer

Bristly Pioneer

Anarchitect
I couldn't find another thread on this, but appologies if there is one.

At the Critical Mass on Friday the met handed out the following letter, claiming that it will now be considered an illegal protest under the new laws that have been brought in to ban protest around parliament!

This is NOT good, and must be stood up to.

:mad:

Metropolitan Police Service
CO11 Public Order Branch
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW11 OBG

Your reference: -
Our reference: -
Date: 29/09/2005

Critical Mass Cycle Demonstrations

Organisers of public processions are required by law to notify police at least 6 days before the event occurs of the date, time, proposed route and the name and address of an organiser. Failure to do so makes the event unlawful

Demonstrations within a designated area around Parliament must also be notified, and anyone taking part in an unauthorised demonstration commits an offence.

Police can impose conditions on processions, demonstrations and other assemblies, and participants render themselves liable to arrest if they fail to comply with those conditions.

These cycle protests are not lawful because no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification. Your participation in this event could render you liable to prosecution. Police policy in facilitating these events is currently under review.

If you intend to organise a future similar event please refer to the Metropolitan Police website, www.met.police.uk for details. It is preferable for all parties if a lawful event can be safely facilitated, rather than the Police having to enforce legislation.

[signed]

Super intendent Gomm,
New Scotland Yard
 
I believe I saw you at your place of employment the other night, is this correct? Hello, again!


Hmmm it'll be interesting to see if they actually try to do anything about this. It would surprise me if they did, although I spose winter's the best time...
 
The police will know that by giving this leaflet out the people who participate will be more determined next month and potentially one or two more will be out. I wonder if they will try and stop this and what they will use.. after all your only out for a cycle!
 
perry1 said:
The police will know that by giving this leaflet out the people who participate will be more determined next month and potentially one or two more will be out. I wonder if they will try and stop this and what they will use.. after all your only out for a cycle!
Click to expand...

Public Order Act 1986 I think ... something about convoys ... limits on number of vehicles. Tash would be able to say I'm sure if he's around ...

I can't be any clearer than that as I can't find the text on the Internet. I'd need to buy it from HMSO.

What kinda fucking country is this, eh? Ignorance of the law is no longer a defence in court, but they expect you to pay to find out what the laws actually are...? What do I pay my taxes for you bastards? :mad:
 
Don't pay taxes to them then, and don't obey their laws. By cooperating with and funding totalitarianism you legitimise it. We all need to stand up and be counted on the government's sustained assault on our rights.
 
lastmanineurope said:
Don't pay taxes to them then, and don't obey their laws. By cooperating with and funding totalitarianism you legitimise it. We all need to stand up and be counted on the government's sustained assault on our rights.
Click to expand...

That's a nice bit of rhetoric, but what does it actually mean?
 
Velouria said:
Public Order Act 1986 I think ... something about convoys ... limits on number of vehicles.
Click to expand...

Define a convoy... :confused:

So, if there are over 20 kids arranged by a school to go cycling in the morning together, to minimise traffic risks, present cycling as a healthy alternative, promote social interactions and maintain overall safety for example, that has been illegal?

I'll call the cops to get all those schools busted straight away!
 
icepick said:
I believe I saw you at your place of employment the other night, is this correct? Hello, again!


Hmmm it'll be interesting to see if they actually try to do anything about this. It would surprise me if they did, although I spose winter's the best time...
Click to expand...

Hello there,

Yes that was me, I hope you enjoyed the show!
 
Bristly Pioneer said:
Hello there,

Yes that was me, I hope you enjoyed the show!
Click to expand...
Hmmmm. "Enjoy"'s such a strong word...

Actually me and the gf ended up having a big bust-up about it cos apparently I was being a "spoilsport" ;)

Hope you didn't have to do too much work!
 
poet said:
lastmanineurope said:
Don't pay taxes to them then, and don't obey their laws. By cooperating with and funding totalitarianism you legitimise it. We all need to stand up and be counted on the government's sustained assault on our rights.
Click to expand...


That's a nice bit of rhetoric, but what does it actually mean?
Click to expand...

It means that the glovernment is edging towards totalitarianism with every piece of legislation passed and new tool acquired. They already have the power to suspend parliament indefinitely, to lock up people indefinitely on mere suspicion, to close down communications and transport networks and impose curfews. If they ever actually used these powers it would be the end of life and liberty as we know it.

It seems people have little control over how their taxes are spent and by paying for wars, the EU, ID card propaganda, prisons, CCTV, ANPR, more police and so on people are paying for their own prison. We need to begin to refuse to cooperate with such a regime because otherwise it will continue and grow to consume more of our resources and rights like parasitical machine. If you cooperate you become part of it. It will take martyrs to defeat them.
 
If it becomes necessary, then yes. Once a critical mass (see what I did there?) is reached things will change and the martyrs become accepted as heroes. Look at those who died fighting fascism or refused to pay poll tax. At the time many were called traitors, anarchists and so on, but history vindicates them for their stand for what was right.
 
Bristly Pioneer said:
I couldn't find another thread on this, but appologies if there is one.

At the Critical Mass on Friday the met handed out the following letter, claiming that it will now be considered an illegal protest under the new laws that have been brought in to ban protest around parliament!

This is NOT good, and must be stood up to.

:mad:

Metropolitan Police Service
CO11 Public Order Branch
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW11 OBG

Your reference: -
Our reference: -
Date: 29/09/2005

Critical Mass Cycle Demonstrations

Organisers of public processions are required by law to notify police at least 6 days before the event occurs of the date, time, proposed route and the name and address of an organiser. Failure to do so makes the event unlawful

Demonstrations within a designated area around Parliament must also be notified, and anyone taking part in an unauthorised demonstration commits an offence.

Police can impose conditions on processions, demonstrations and other assemblies, and participants render themselves liable to arrest if they fail to comply with those conditions.

These cycle protests are not lawful because no organiser has provided police the with the necessary notification. Your participation in this event could render you liable to prosecution. Police policy in facilitating these events is currently under review.

If you intend to organise a future similar event please refer to the Metropolitan Police website, www.met.police.uk for details. It is preferable for all parties if a lawful event can be safely facilitated, rather than the Police having to enforce legislation.

[signed]

Super intendent Gomm,
New Scotland Yard
Click to expand...

Hmmm - they are right!! The new law does mean that Critical Mass passing within 1/2 mile of Parliament is illegal. I suggest somebody draws up a 1/2 mile radius on a map, advertise it as a protest against the new law, and tease the plod by skirting the borders and 'promising' to come in he he he Of course, whether people actually have the bottle is another question, and it would be better to try to link up with a legal demo already occuring... That would show up the law...
 
there are a few obvious responses to the self-important copper's letter, not for a reply but in terms of tactics which may be adopted. some sort of co-ordination & imagination to overcome the strictures this arsy plod would impose should allow cm's to continue, but hopefully in a fashion which achieves the aim without allowing fuckwitt'd filth from curtailing the protests.
 
lastmanineurope said:
If it becomes necessary, then yes. Once a critical mass (see what I did there?) is reached things will change and the martyrs become accepted as heroes. Look at those who died fighting fascism or refused to pay poll tax. At the time many were called traitors, anarchists and so on, but history vindicates them for their stand for what was right.
Click to expand...
So at one point will it become 'necessary' or are you more of an armchair martyr ("hero") that steps in right at the end?

Could you expain what these 'martyrs' might actually be doing to achieve their aims? (which are what exactly?)
 
How many people typically take part in critical mass? In large enough numbers, with everybody on bikes, surely it would represent a serious drain on police resources?
 
In Bloom said:
How many people typically take part in critical mass? In large enough numbers, with everybody on bikes, surely it would represent a serious drain on police resources?
Click to expand...

actually not a lot of drain, because, and they know it, critical massers don't cause trouble, they just cycle slowly.
 
Attica said:
Hmmm - they are right!! The new law does mean that Critical Mass passing within 1/2 mile of Parliament is illegal.
Click to expand...

Does it? the operative bit of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act :rolleyes: says:
(2) The behaviour referred to in subsection (1) is any behaviour which has or could have any of the following results—
(a) hindering any person from entering or leaving the Palace of
Westminster,
(b) hindering the proper operation of Parliament, or
(c) spoiling the visual aspect, or otherwise spoiling the enjoyment by
members of the public, of any part of the designated area.

S123 of this pdf
So do cyclists really spoil the visual aspect or what?
 
lastmanineurope said:
It means that the glovernment is edging towards totalitarianism with every piece of legislation passed and new tool acquired. They already have the power to suspend parliament indefinitely, to lock up people indefinitely on mere suspicion, to close down communications and transport networks and impose curfews. If they ever actually used these powers it would be the end of life and liberty as we know it.

It seems people have little control over how their taxes are spent and by paying for wars, the EU, ID card propaganda, prisons, CCTV, ANPR, more police and so on people are paying for their own prison. We need to begin to refuse to cooperate with such a regime because otherwise it will continue and grow to consume more of our resources and rights like parasitical machine. If you cooperate you become part of it. It will take martyrs to defeat them.
Click to expand...

Let me guess, you're quite new to this political malarkey. You're very likely to get sneered at around here if you start banging on about martyrdom without showing that you're an armchair actiivst.
 
nyc

go to nyc indymedia read the history of it, the biggest change they made was multiple meet up points, so they couldn't hassle ya at the start
 
lostexpectation said:
go to nyc indymedia reasd the history of it, the biggest change they made was mulitple meet up points, so they couldn't hassle ya at the start
Click to expand...
that was one of the things i was thinking of...
 
Never gone along to a Critical Mass before. Determined to do so now.

The next one is on Friday 28th, in case anyone is wondering. Any other urban people fancy it?
 
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