Am I a liberal? I expect protests to have permission beforehand just like they need in Sweden where I am from. They would have been charged there too.
That only works if a government wants to let you protest. And if people will even pay attention if you’re protesting in a “citizen approved protesting location”.
Kind of pointless to protest if no one pays attention to you.
You’re justifying breaking the law just because you think the cause is good.
I promise you that this kind of protest has the exact opposite effect. Look at the comment section of any youtube video showing protests like this, and you’ll see what kind of radicalization this brings.
Get a permit, and protest in a safe way where you can still be seen, but not cause inconvenience or danger. If you think the government would deny you such a permit, then I congratulate you in making news headlines and successfully getting the entire population on your side.
- For the convenience of our constituents, protest hours are 10:00-14:00 every second Thursday of the month.
- Citizens may apply for a protest permit at their local post office.
- In the event that potential protestors have different local post offices, each protestor must apply at all applicable post offices, indicating their post code of origin on the back of page 27 (BLUE INK ONLY).
- Duplicate applications will be denied.
- Please state clearly the reason for the proposed protest in the application in 25 words or less.
- Applications take approximately 6-8 weeks per word to process. Successful applicants will be notified by post no later than 12 April of the following year.
- Approved protests must be addressed to the brick wall behind the library and are confined to the space enclosed by the chain link fence.
- If multiple approved protests occur on the same day, please form a queue, tallest to shortest. The group with the most amount of members in the top quartile will be granted the protest space for the day. Others will need to re-apply after a 60-day probationary period.
- Chants will be kept to a conversational speaking volume.
- For the safety of the public, no food or drink will be allowed.
- Infractions of the rules as outlined in the application will result in the locking of the fence gate for a period of no less than 6 days.
- Further punishments are determined at the sole discretion of the Peaceable Protest Committee. Sentences start at 5 years with no maximum. Appeals may be made after the sentence has been served.
Government sanctioned protest ain’t no protest lol. If you’re protesting the government action by asking their permission, might as well write them angry letter so they can throw it in the bin quicker.
You can’t justify breaking the law by claiming it is for the greater good, and blocking traffic is breaking the law. Whether you agree with it or not, this is how the world works. Same applies everywhere. If you have a problem with how a kindergarten works, you don’t waltz in there and start blocking toddlers from entering. If you hate the food at a restaurant you don’t spit in everyone elses plates. Not only is it illegal, it is detrimental to the message you’re trying to spread. Find a different method to make your voice heard instead of being probably the most hated type of illegal protester in the world.
On Armistice Day, EDL protesters marched towards the Cenotaph (without permission) and launched fireworks that were intended to hit people and did strike policemen in the face. Let’s see if they get 5 years.