The Stop the War Coalition is calling for some form of demonstration in Parliament Square on 1st August, starting at 2pm, in order to protest against the restrictions on demonstrations which come fully into force on that day.
It is not yet clear if prior written permission will be sought for this demonstration by the Stop the War Coalition:
"Join the ProtestParliament Square August 1, 2pm
Dear Friends,
You will be aware that the government has introduced an exclusion order for the area around Parliament. Due to come into effect from 1 August, this exclusion zone prohibits demonstrations, even one-person demonstrations, unless the police expressly permit them. Failure to comply can lead to arrest. The zone covers a very wide area around Parliament as far as the London Eye, Charing Cross embankment and up to (although not including) Trafalgar Square.
The new zone is ostensibly to deal with one protest, that of anti war protester Brian Haw who is camped on Parliament Square. That in itself is a denial of his right to protest and should be opposed. But the exclusion order’s range will prohibit a large number of other protests outside parliament, Downing St and government buildings.
We believe this is a very serious attack on our civil liberties. There is no justification for prohibiting demonstrations in these areas and there must be concerns that this ban is an attempt to prevent legitimate protest against government policies.
Stop the War Coalition has demonstrated in these areas many times over the past four years. We believe that we will have cause to do so in the future. We are planning to state our opposition to this ban by demonstrating in the exclusion zone on August 1.
We would like as many different organisations, especially our affiliated organisations, to join us in presenting a united protest on that day. The more organisations come and state their opposition the harder it will be for this ban to be imposed.
Please let me know if you are willing to support this protest. We are planning to assemble at 2pm on Monday August 1 outside Parliament. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Lindsey German
Convenor
Stop the war Coalition
To add your support for this protest please call or email the office on 0207 278 6694 or office@stopwar.org.uk
Supporters so farTony Benn
CND
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Respect the Unity Coalition
Labour CND
Alexis Chase, Branch Administrator Tower Hamlets Unison
Pat Sheerin
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Stop Political Terror
Philip Wilson- Thames Valley University Students' Union
School Students Against the War"