Public Order Bill becomes law
‘These new measures are unnecessary and undemocratic. Despite this severe blow to our freedoms, we will continue to work with others to protect and promote human rights in the UK.’ Siobhán Haire, deputy recording clerk of BYM
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has said that it will continue to work with others to protect and promote human rights, despite the ‘severe blow’ of the Public Order Bill, which came into effect last month.
BYM said that the bill will make it ‘even harder to protest peacefully’.
Siobhán Haire, deputy recording clerk of BYM, said: ‘Peaceful protest is vital to our democracy and is a key way in which many Quakers put their faith into action.
‘These new measures are unnecessary and undemocratic. Despite this severe blow to our freedoms, we will continue to work with others to protect and promote human rights in the UK.’
The Public Order Act received royal assent on 2 May 2023. It gives the police new powers to restrict and criminalise protest activity, including new criminal offences and expanded stop-and-search powers.
Some measures came into force immediately, including the new criminal offences of: locking-on; being equipped to lock-on; and interfering with key national infrastructure. These powers were used during the coronation, with anti-monarchy protestors being arrested on suspicion of being equipped to lock-on because they had items such as plastic ties. They were later released without charge. A journalist was also arrested for filming a climate protester holding a placard, and women’s safety volunteers for carrying rape alarms, which the police said could frighten horses. According to the Quakers in Britain website, ‘other measures will come into force later, such as new offences around tunnelling and obstructing major transport works. Those convicted face harsh fines and prison sentences’.
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