Anti-cuts campaigners plan to turn (London's) Trafalgar Square into Tahrir Square

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Campaigners against public service cuts are calling for a 24-hour occupation of Trafalgar Square – drawing inspiration from revolts in the Middle East – to coincide with Saturday's trade union protest in London.

Student activists who organised last year's demonstrations say there will be a rolling programme of sit-ins and protests on the day and have called on people to occupy the central London square turning "Trafalgar into Tahrir" – a reference to the gathering point in Cairo that was at the heart of the revolution in Egypt earlier this year.

"We want Trafalgar Square to become a focal point for the ongoing occupations, marches and sit-ins that will carry on throughout the weekend," said Michael Chessum from the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts. "There are a lot of smaller scale demonstrations and actions planned and, just as we have seen in recent protests in the Middle East and north Africa, we want to create an ongoing organising hub."

Saturday's main demonstration has been organised by the TUC and is expected to see more than 200,000 people – including public sector workers, families and first-time protesters – take to the capital's streets to oppose government cuts.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/22/anti-cuts-campaigners-trafalgar-square-tahrir

[dipsydoodle]

1. I'd have thought

they'd be better staying in Hyde Park - more space.

[Turborama]

3. There are plans for Hyde Park and several other landmarks

More details in the article.

Sounds like a fun day out, wish I could go.

[dipsydoodle]

4. As far as I'm aware

they've only got permission for peaceful protest in Hyde Park.

see also :

Police issue warning on mass union protest. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1215c222-548b-11e0-979a-00144feab49a.html#axzz1HLYvKApY

I'm not sure any other protests have got anything to do with the trade unionists.

[Turborama]

5. Well, I think a lot of people believe it's unnecessary to ask for 'permission' to protest peacefully

In a supposed free society.

[dipsydoodle]

6. They do however all know

that that's the deal in the UK and its not unreasonably withheld other than where a public disorder issue could arise and considered to be inevitable : BNP holding one in close proximity to another in Luton for example.

[Turborama]

7. Doesn't sound like a free society to me

When you have to ask for 'permission' to be able to protest peacefully.

In fact, that's the antithesis of freedom.

Which is not surprising, Britain has become extremely authoritarian under Thatcher and Blair (Major and Brown omitted on purpose as they are just one termers). Not sure if Cameron/Clegg really plan on making it a less authoritarian state there (or if they will just be one termers, too). Only time will tell.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Yes it was New Labour who finally settled it.

A 2005 law created an "exclusion zone" inside which all protests required police permission. Critics say it curbs the right to spontaneous protest.

The requirement for police permission was introduced in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6266420.stm

Not sure but the 1/2 mile exclusion zone may include Trafalgar Square - its roughly that distance from Parliament Sq.

Whatever - I don't really care what they do provided there are no adverse effect on the public nor damage to property.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. When your protest stops traffic, then 'permission' makes sense

As far as I know, the part of the Act which dipsydoodle refers to above is still in force, but the police have been granted permission all the time, recently.

But, as well as that, there's the point that Trafalgar Square is a major traffic hub. It makes sense to need permission for marches which will close streets leading to it to traffic; and, if they want to be there for 24 hours, on Saturday, then they could shut down a lot of the London Night Bus network, because many start their route from central London there. That could be 'interesting' - lots of people who've been drinking, in central London, on Friday or Saturday night, finding they can't get to the buses that they rely on to get them home.

If they just mean they'd stay in the pedestrian bit, then it might not be too bad (though drinkers and protesters may not be a good mix anyway), but if they stop the traffic, I'd see a lot of fights starting, even without any involvement from the police.

[No Elephants]

10. There are valid reasons for requiring a permit, IMO.

Security, sanitation, litter, etc.

[Darth_Kitten]

11. Yeah, but Trafalgar Square is closer to Parliament.

:)

[Blue_Tires]

2. ttt