UK: Teaparties Illegal
Campaigner faces jail for anti-war tea party outside Parliament
By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Corresponent
Published: 07 April 2006A peace activist who organised an anti-war tea party that took place opposite the House of Commons faces prison.
Mark Barrett, a tour guide, was convicted under recent legislation banning demonstrations near Parliament and was fined ?500 including costs.
He is one of a group of activists who meet every week to drink tea and eat cake on Parliament Square in protest at “an attack on freedom of expression”.
After being found guilty of unlawful protest by Bow Street magistrates, Mr Barrett insisted he would not pay the fine.He said: “If it means I will go to prison, then I am prepared. I may be breaking the law but it is a law I don’t believe in. I don’t believe peaceful protesters who have a disagreement with the way the state operates should ask permission to make their views known, particularly in this location.” Mr Barrett, 36, was arrested in August under section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which requires protesters to obtain police permission before demonstrating within a kilometre of Parliament.
He said: “We were sitting down, sharing food, and a police inspector told us he believed we were having an unauthorised protest and if we didn’t break up we would be arrested. When I refused to go away, I was picked up and bundled into a police van.”
Read More: UK Parliament War On Terror Stop The War Protests
