Fascism? Anti-Brexit protester silenced (almost) on day anti-protest Act comes into law
How do you like the new British fascism?
On the very day the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act that bans “noisy” protest became law, police swooped on anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and confiscated his amplifiers.
Mr Bray, of Port Talbot, has been a regular feature in Westminster for many years, protesting against Brexit. He regularly used his equipment to broadcast protest songs about Boris Johnson, notably during Prime Minister’s Questions.
But after the new Act came into force, which extends a “controlled area” around Westminster where activities like sleeping in a tent are restricted, around 15 police officers swooped on Mr Bray and took his equipment:
On the day that “noisy” protest becomes unlawful under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, at least 20 police officers have just surrounded anti-Brexit protestor Steve Bray outside the Houses of Parliament and seized his loud speaker. @LBC pic.twitter.com/ljwwHOO8me
— Charlotte Lynch (@charlotterlynch) June 28, 2022
According to the Mirror,
One clause that commenced this morning is for police to “impose conditions on one-person protests” – a law critics have speculated was drawn up because of Mr Bray.
A senior police officer can impose conditions on a one-person protest if they “reasonably believe” the noise it creates “may result in serious disruption to the activities of an organisation in the vicinity, or have a significant, relevant impact on people in the vicinity.”
This disruption includes if people in the organisation can’t “reasonably carry out any one of their activities for a prolonged period of time.”
This Writer has seen no evidence that this was the case when Mr Bray’s equipment was taken.
I would certainly encourage you to read the Mirror article, especially the comments by representatives of organisations opposing the draconian measures in the Act. They make its consequences very clear.
This is likely to be the mildest example of the new policy’s enforcement.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
the police have always used “laws” to infringe on people’s rights especially if its to the advantage to the government!
was he protesting at the time, or were they retrospectively applying the legislation like in the case of Abu Hamza? is that guy still alive….?
Dictatorship.
The clause that interested me was “A senior police officer can impose conditions on a one-person protest if they “reasonably believe” the noise it creates “may result in serious disruption to the activities of an organisation in the vicinity, or have a significant, relevant impact on people in the vicinity.”
How long has Steve Bray been protesting without any serious disruption to activities?
Boy police lackeys doing the fascist tories dirty work as usual! This is what a fascist dictatorship looks like – no woman or man is now permitted to engage in peaceful protest against the fascist dictatorship!!
Remember fascism has always been about denying peasants their right to challenge so-called ‘governments’ because arresting and imprisoning peaceful protesters ensures other peasants are too frightened to challenge the fascist masters!