The first actual court appearance of someone arrested under the controversial Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 20005 Designated Area around Parliament Square is due this Wednesday 7th December 2005.
Maya Evans was arrested with Milan Rai on the 25th October 2005, for holding a "bell ringing" remembrance ceremony for the Iraqui war dead, near the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
It will be interesting to see if the Bow Street Magistrate sets a legal precedent, by ruling that a "ceremony" within the Designated Area is actually a "demonstration" within the meaning of section 132 of the Serious Orhganised Crime and Police Act 2005.
if such a ruling is made, then this should be a major news story, as it will have serious implications for any other Ceremonies held within the Designates Area such as the Royal British Legion Poppy Day / Remembrance Sunday Cereomonies which were held in the same location near the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Similarly the State Opening of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster and the the Trooping of the Colour Ceremonies in Horseguards Parade, also involving Her Majesty the Queen, will be affected as well.
There will also be implications for Freedom of Religon, especially for for Wedding, Funeral, or Remembrance Ceremonies etc. held in any of the Places of Worship within the Designated Area such as Westminster Abbey, or the Methodist Central Hall etc.
All of these locations are defined as "public places" under SOCPA:
(b) "public place" means any highway or any place to which at the material time the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission,