I wrote some notes on the advance of the law in June. From March, the country had been in ‘lockdown’ and some were holding events with little concern for public health. Events were also held in ‘nature reserves’ there was some violence and then leaving a humongous mess.
The covid-19 restrictions have been eased somewhat since then, but gatherings of more than 30 outside are still prohibited under new regulations. I have been concerned at increasingly obnoxious tightening of law and restrictions on gathering since the 1980’s, dealing with protest, gatherings, festivals, travellers etc …. High Court Injunctions, the Public Order Act 1986, Entertainments (Increased Penalties) Act 1990 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. All this before the next shed-load that I’ve been writing about and predicting that is still to come. All of those laws were brought about by government concerned at our ability to organise and enjoy events put on by ‘our tribes’ and wishing to live life free of their oppressive rule.
But, I do now find myself conflicted. I have done my best to advise and stand up against all of the above because the law was designed to favour those vested interests in governmental control, attempts to squash dissent and the centuries old practice of restricting access to ‘our land’. Now however, the current restrictions are trying to deal with public health. Surely, this is proper and we should have greater regard for the health and wellbeing of all of us. It is inconvenient I know, with people chomping at the bit to ‘get on down’ with each other and socialise in our tribes again. The health concern will be used by authorities as a convenient excuse to excerpt the control they have always been trying to do, but the issue is a real concern to society at large and I think we should have a care for others who may be affected. Hence my confliction.
Police break up an illegal rave in a Hackney railway arch
https://news.met.police.uk/videos/police-break-up-an-illegal-rave-in-a-hackney-railway-arch-110979
This from earlier in June 2020 ……
I have been asked to make some notes on the progress of more laws on aggravated trespass that are coming down the pipe. It seems things are delayed because of the Covid-19 lockdown and government being a bit distracted at the moment …. but the Home Office are still on the case and Priti Patel is most defiantly up for it!
Notes on law progress at:
The government has consulted on new police powers to criminalise unauthorised encampments
https://tashuk.wordpress.com/2020/06/22/the-government-has-consulted-on-new-police-powers-to-criminalise-unauthorised-encampments/
additions:
https://netpol.org/2020/11/26/government-plans-major-crackdown-in-2021-on-the-right-to-protest
