Drop the tent peg or I'll shoot!
It was sadly inevitable. Gordon Brown's government are encouraging the police to use the new 'anti-terror' laws against peaceful protesters in the UK. (That is the Gordon Brown who is the unelected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.)
These are climate change protesters who are against the further expansion of Heathrow airport, exercising the long-held right to peaceful protest in the UK.
This means that peaceful protesters will be subject to being stopped and searched and having their vehicles searched without there being any evidence to suspect them of terrorism. Their homes can also be searched and they can be held by the police for a month without charge.
It has been said since the introduction of the new powers in the S44 Terrorism Act 2000 that these laws would be used to erode the freedom of ordinary UK citizens. This is the first widely reported case of this process in action.
This is the government using its laws to protect the business interests of wealthy companies like BAA at the huge expense of the rest of us. But this shouldn't come as a surprise, there's a long history of laws being created and used to protect and bolster the interests of the wealthy few and destroy the power of the poor majority.
So now, if you hold some concern about the state of the planet and decide to voice that concern, according to the government, you could be a terrorist.
"Put that veggie-burger on the ground and your hands on your head."
The Plane Stupid Campaign Group
The Camp for Climate Action
Tue, 14th Aug 2007 10:59:48 +01:00
So far the police have stopped and searched people arrinving at the site and have done searches of the site. If I am flying out of Heathrow then I would be a lot happier knowing that the large camp of people at the end of the runway where not terrorists.
The police have not stopped the protests but made sure that they are not infiltrated by people that want to do more than a peacefull protest. I can see no problem with that and if I was there I would be all the happier for it I think.
UsingThu, 16th Aug 2007 9:18:46 +01:00
John,
This camp is not 'at the end of the runway', but in a field adjoining the airport. How do you feel about other large groups of people? Large groups of people in shopping centres, large groups of people at train stations, in supermarkets, football matches, airports, etc? Should any large group of people be suspected of being terrorists? How about small groups of people, how about individuals?
The point was concerning the use of the Terrorism Act to areas outside its remit. Would you feel happier if this act was utilised against anyone at any time, (as that is the implication of this)? The erosion of individual freedom and the long-held right to peaceful protest.
Using