Here I am making an illegal speech to an illegal gathering.
I was witness to an extraordinary example of the use of “anti-terrorist” laws to deny democracy. The whole of Parliament Square, College Green and Canning Green were closed off with high Harris fencing, as were other spaces nearby. These were protected by a huge police presence. I counted 37 police vans. All this to counter eighty “Occupy Democracy” protestors wishing to highlight the alienation of the political class from the rest of us. That MPs feel the need to make Westminster look like the Somme 1917, to defend themselves against a few ordinary people, is proof that the concept of “democracy” is now alien to the Westminster system.
Some of this was surreal. There were signs up stating that voice amplification was illegal as was “sleeping equipment”. Just what is sleeping equipment? I have managed to sleep my entire life without such equipment. I just close my eyes and it happens. I didn’t even know you needed equipment to sleep. It is a curious thing that officialdom, when it becomes unreasonable, inevitably resorts to poor use of language. Nobody in normal life speaks of “sleeping equipment”. There is a simple English word, “bedding”. If they mean bedding, why don’t they say so?
The happy band of demonstrators had gathered just outside the entrance to the Supreme Court, in a small unfenced area. I used to sing regularly and seriously. Fortunately this has left me with the ability to speak very loudly at length and still with some modulation. If you consider that video is in an area of very heavy traffic noise and with no (banned) amplification, I hope you are impressed! I started speaking in order to fend off what seemed an imminent move by police to start arresting protestors for breach of the peace. This followed an argument over whether an old sofa and rug constituted “sleeping equipment”. A policeman stated that there were legal rulings that “sleeping equipment” included anything that could be adapted for the purpose of sleeping. I suggested to him that he confiscate my trousers, as these were capable of being rolled up and used as a pillow.
The Police Superintendent had just stated that refusal to give up the sofa constituted behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace, when I decided to change the dynamic by giving a talk, which peculiarly led almost all the police to withdraw immediately to about a hundred yards away. If you are interested, you can see something of this, and get a tour of the fencing, from this video by one of the protestors.
I say “if you are interested”, but really you ought to be interested. The fact that in Westminster, people who are obviously very peaceful are not allowed simply to express their political view, ought to worry everybody in the UK very, very deeply. We have slipped away from the fundamental precepts of democracy – freedom of speech and assembly, habeas corpus, freedom from torture. None of those exist any more. Lulled by the mainstream media, most people have not even noticed.
I shall be speaking outside the Scottish Parliament on 29th November, and in Dundee, Perth (and possibly Ayr too if I can work it out) on the 30th. I shall be speaking again in Dundee at the March against Austerity on 6th December.
I say “if you are interested”, but really you ought to be interested. The fact that in Westminster, people who are obviously very peaceful are not allowed simply to express their political view, ought to worry everybody in the UK very, very deeply. We have slipped away from the fundamental precepts of democracy – freedom of speech and assembly, habeas corpus, freedom from torture. None of those exist any more. Lulled by the mainstream media, most people have not even noticed.
We have lost balance and those attentive, eat, sleep and breath freedom, justice and equality. That in itself is not enough. Craig leads the way. We can convey with our voices the intention to adjust the balance back from unfairness, abuse, dirty deals and crying shame.
Let the truth be heard.
Looks as if you attracted something looking like a chief superintendent at one point, Craig. Guess that will go down in the records as another terrorist plot foiled (ie, you were unable to deploy your sleeping equipment against the HoC.) Dude with red backpack with something sticking out of it, crossing L to R twice in the first few minutes, might also be of interest. Recording?
Anyway, well done.
Craig, sorry I forgot you’d gone to London. What a contrast from the situation outside the Scottish Parliament on November 5th:
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2014/11/lewes/
Sadly, the loss of our fundamental liberties by stealth has been allowed to happen because successive generations have become enamored with a limited sense of collective historical memory. If one has no concept of liberty then equally one has no concept of what it is to lose it.
Hilarious. Craig Murray has “uncovered” that the police do bad things and tells us we “should be interested”.
Craig, many people in this country have been living with this shit for years. You know, those years you were kissing establishment arse.
The ‘Freedom of Speech’ like ‘democracy’ is a western commodity for export. It does apply only to certain “privileged” people in the western “civilized” world.
For example, in February this year, Home Secretary Theresa May, banned French comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala from entering the country to support his friend footballer Nicolas Anelka, who was facing a disciplinary hearing after performing the famous “quenella” – allegedly an anti-Jewish gesture according to powerful French Jewish Lobby CRIF.
http://rehmat1.com/2014/02/04/jewish-lobby-bans-dieudonne-from-britain/
Perhaps someone should make a list of the bills that Westminster has passed where our freedom is being whittled away (and how).
Lets compare that with a list of those passed in EU capitals.
Might be interesting.
Have you noticed that the slipping away from concepts of free-speech and fundamental concepts of democracy coincinded with the emasculation of trades’ unions and the so-called ‘war on terror’?
Craig; Are you going to announce your candidacy? What will the look of this blog become? Will you shut it down
Hilarious. Phil has ‘uncovered’ that Craig likes to explain things rather than take it for granted that everybody else already knows about them.
Phil, many people on this blog appreciate Craig publicising these issues. You know, while you’re sitting on your arse.
” many people on this blog appreciate Craig publicising these issues”
Many people enjoy the art of decorating warts, rather than using that same energy to remove them.
The deluded hyperbole of the title has just come to my attention.
Criminal? Ha ha ha. So you were charged, prosecuted, found guilty and sentenced in a day? Faster than a speeding shoplifter in a riot!
Even if you have spent your time kissing establishment arse or even opposing the establishment with the occasional firm letter there are a few things you would have had to really try hard to not have seen. Miners? Travellers? Black youth? Inner city estate no go areas?
Or are you now “interested” because it’s middle class “activists” being made into “criminals”.
Baal, that copper was there long before Murray arrived and long after he left.
Node
I am not sitting on my arse mate.
Certainly makes a good case for the separation of powers. Obviously this is (another) example of political policing. The recent DPAC protest was a similar absurdity.
Don’t the police see they are being used to cow democracy? I wonder how soildures feel about this. Fighting for a country that fights against it’s citizens.
Ishael
“Don’t the police see they are being used to cow democracy?”
Having spent years asking coppers this very question may I offer my pov.
First, they often have a genuine fear of those they are policing. They have been fed a pile of crock in their briefing. They really believe that the protesters are a violent dangerous threat.
Once they have overcome this they dig in defending their colleagues. Sometimes they will say “it’s my job what can I do” type of thing. Only a few weeks ago I saw one copper pulled back by her sergeant because she was struggling with the morals of her colleagues basically attacking pensioners. Of course when push comes to shove it is always heads down and have this.
Another couple of points. Political policing is often done with out of town coppers who have no context of what they do. And the tsg seem to actively recruit violent thugs. Remember the copper who killed Tomlinson had already been thrown out of the force for violence.
She sounded as if she was outlining plans for the vicarage fete but she is rather dangerous. Our liberties are disappearing fast.
Counter Terrorism and Security Bill TBA
‘Time is right’ for new terror powers
Armed police in London in August 2014
The police and security services should get new powers to defend the UK from the biggest terror threat before or since 9/11, Home Secretary Theresa May says.
May: ‘Not a knee-jerk reaction’ Watch
How serious is IS threat to the UK?
Is it right to pay ransoms?
UK terrorism: Public help ‘essential’ Watch
Can UK stop jihadists coming home?
How the battle against IS is being fought online
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30173238
PS As you sow, so shall you reap.
Node : “I am not sitting on my arse mate.”
Neither is Craig. I don’t get why you’re so critical of him. Reminds me of the People’s Front of Judea criticising the Judean People’s Front
Yes the UK does seem to be moving away from free speech in a manner of speaking,more so London adopting the American model, where political oration and demonstration is frowned upon by ruling class.
Just today in fact Theresa May spoke of beefing up security, due to imminent terrorists threats, believe it if you like.
Speaking of sleeping equipment I recall,a US veteran who slept outside Westminster, on Westminster Bridge I think for many years as a protest. He’s dead quite few years now I can’t recall his name.
“I am not sitting on my arse mate.”
__________________________________
Naw you’re to busy talking out of it.
Baal, that copper was there long before Murray arrived and long after he left.
It was merely an observation. No doubt the large numbers of copper other ranks needed a management presence, like you do when you’re doing your job, like a hole in the head. And I imagine they were there because the Occupy people have now achieved terrorist or enemy of the state status, not because of Craig. It’s a sad reflection on the times. I remember in my youth joining a march on the Chinese Embassy – and I cannot for the life of me remember what it was about, if anything – but I do remember there was hardly a constable to be seen.
Phil
24 Nov, 2014 – 2:14 pm
“I am not sitting on my arse mate.”
………………………………………………………
What are you sitting on Phil; your elbow?
Node
I never accused Craig of sitting on his arse. Whats my problem with him? I am working so can only answer quickly and thus probably unsatisfactorily but here goes:
Craig is now not a mere “human rights activist” (whatever the fuck that means) trading off his ugly past he is now a politician trading off his ugly past. For me, this makes him part of the problem.
His confused embrace of nationalism that isn’t nationalism, the eu that is different to other big government, police are bad but the met are ok, is not to be taken seriously. This man has not been a little wrong in his past in the way that you and I have been wrong. This man was an enthusiastic beaureacrat for empire. He was complicit in murder long before he discovered murder was bad. That kind of wrong should not be voted into office.
O/T
150 women gathered in Troon yesterday, for a women for Independence Conference. Six new local women for independence Groups have recently been set up in the area or nearby areas.
Adding to the 65 already established nationally, organisers Jean Freeman and Philippa Whitford said, “If you have said to me, that several months after losing the referendum, that the independence movement would still be growning, I wouldn’t have believed you, but it is.”
Meanwhile bought my copy of the new National newspaper today, and it didn’t let me down, with straight firing stories, of how a report from the (ONS) Office for National Statistics has revealed that the real median wage for all workers has fallen for the sixth year in a row.
This report is in stark contrast to the UK coalition governments claim that British workers, were seeing a real rise in take home pay.
“They really believe that the protesters are a violent dangerous threat”
I get your points but somehow find that bit difficult to belive, how many citizen protests must they attend to learn they are not really threats?
I guess this is just the de-humanising outcome of thoes who feel forced to consider their jobs over justice. In the police force. Isn’t the market system great.
And what happend to austerity?
A good little speech, and actually quite revolutionary in calling for a Revolution !
The only negative thing is that when Craig was giving examples of people seeing through BBC bias, eg Syris, Israel, etc, he sadly still can’t bring himself to mention the non-stop & potentially very dangerous anti-Russian propaganda.
“Whats my problem with him?”
So it’s largley his past? mmmm
Really I don’t see the point. We all have a past and it’s pretty absurd to just cheerlead anyone as it is to put them in a box marked do not touch.
Well, maybe one or two should be in that box.
I think if you don’t surppot him that’s your free choice. Fine.
Ishmael; “So it’s largley his past? mmmm”
The irony being his problematic present pov on Ukraine, I believe is not too dissimilar to Phil’s, but I’m sure he will correct me if I’m wrong ! 😉
@ Phil
As you seem to have all the answers,
What class do you put anti-social/ist behavior and how can it be eradicated?
“he sadly still can’t bring himself to mention the non-stop & potentially very dangerous anti-Russian propaganda.”
Well he was really part of the whole establishment. Even normal citizens still say to me they are suspicious of Germany, Like it’s part of DNA. I don’t expect those raised in the establishment to have any less potential for bias.
I hear from George Monbiot the education system is all about breaking emotional ties to family etc and wedding them to the state, (something btw you’d be unlikely to find much in Germany nowadays). It’s a form of brainwashing and strange Orwellian manipulation. Quite sick really
I was chatting to some russians in the pub the other night. Nice guys. Iv got to know a few recenty, one fellow lady artist working locally.
So it Craig’s past that bothers him, as if we all don’t have a past. Craig could’ve kept his head down and carried on with concealing the injustices that took place around him in Uzbekistan.
But he didn’t instead he stood up to it, and revealed it putting his life on the line to expose, the murder and torture, what a better world it would be if we all stood up and did the right thing.