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08/02/2005:

"Arrests over Parliament demo ban"

Five anti-war activists demonstrating against a ban on unauthorised protests near Parliament have been arrested.
A ban on protests within half-a-mile of Westminster which have not been cleared by police came into force at midnight.

However, about 50 people wearing black gags to symbolise the "infringement" of their right to protest have gathered in Parliament Square in defiance.

Ministers say planned protests can be held but the rights of protesters and workers in the area must be balanced.

But campaigners say the move restricts an established right to protest.

More than a dozen police officers were at the scene, and arrests were made around an hour after the protest begun.

Lindsey German, convener of the Stop the War Coalition, said the ruling meant police could now decide who was allowed to demonstrate, which was "totally unacceptable".

"Anyone speaking through a megaphone will be arrested under this draconian new law. Parliament should be doing more important things than stopping people staging legitimate protests," she said.

Anyone organising or taking part in a demonstration within the zone must apply in writing and have police authorisation.

Use of loudspeakers and megaphones may be restricted, and are banned in and around Parliament Square, subject to exemptions
Time limits may be placed on approved demonstrations.

Lauren Booth, sister of Tony Blair's wife Cherie, joined the protest and said the law should be "overturned".

"This is all about silencing critics of the war in Iraq and ID cards and denying people the right to free speech," she said.

"If you heard on television that someone in another country were banned from gathering near a government building to stage a legitimate protest you would probably think thank goodness that kind of thing doesn't happen in this country."
Full: bbc.co.uk