Boris cracks down on protests in Central London

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is planning to ban ‘unauthorised’ demonstrations at two of London’s most iconic protest spots.

Both Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square are set to be governed by a new set of draconian byelaws which the Mayor has submitted to the government for confirmation. The new byelaws will give the Mayor power to ban a long list of activities in both squares, including:

–  demonstrations – “assembly, display, performance, representation, parade, procession, review or theatrical event”
–  banners
–  notices or signs
–  tents or any other structure for sleeping in
– structures of any other kind
– music
– announcements using any form of technology to make sound louder
– throwing of anything at all
–  taking photographs for anything other than personal (singular individual) use: “take photographs or film or make any other recordings of visual images for the purposes of or in connection with a business, trade, profession or employment or any activity carried on by a person or body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporate”

The byelaws are part of a final effort by the Government and the Mayor’s office to cleanse the centre of London of protesters.  After a decade, and a raft of innefective legislation, trying to push Brian Haw and his supporters from Parliament Square, it seems that these byelaws could allow Boris to bid a not-so-fond farewell to the sight of protesters around Westminster.

You can register your objection to this terrible legislation with this man: Carl.Schnackenberg@Culture.gsi.gov.uk.

Thanks to Lucy for putting us onto this.