Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

The history that someone cites up above is entirely relevant.

This is just a quick post as I'm about to go to Court, and no doubt Matt will be along soon and be far more eloquent than me.

You might think it corny if I say that we should all be vigilant about erosion of civil liberies: the fact that this is a 'free' country has been fought for for centuries, against foreign enemies and domestic repression, and it is no exaggeration to say that it defines the people we are. The modern starting point is Magna Carta, designed to stop oppression from King John. The State and those who wield the power naturally have a self-interest in stifling democratic debate because they wish to impose their will and then to cover it up when it goes tits up. Like Iraq. Secret inquiries. And they rely on apathy and inertia, and the intrinsic trust and respect that British people generally have for politicians.

Someone else also says that there are good and bad people in every role, and that this applies to police officers as much as to everyone else. That is entirely true. I think the police generally do a good job, often in extremely difficult circumstances.

But I can't help but feel that this government - like many before it in modern times - have led a head on attack on civil liberties. You can't say anything or do anything without someone snooping on you - look at all the CCTV cameras we have. There is no such thing as peaceful protest any more because you will be labelled an anarchist, demonised, end up on a Special Branch list. And the rotten eggs in the police barrel will beat you up.

Look at the extraordinary lengths the State has gone to to cover up the G20 protests - although, some of the demonstrators were far from peaceful and were obviously spoiling for a fight. Look at the refusal of the United Kingdom Government to implement the recent ruling on the DNA database. Secret inquests. Local councils using terrorism powers to snoop on people who overfill their wheelie bins.

And if that isn't enough - ID cards, anyone?

No I'm not being melodramatic, all this is happening.

Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

You can only form an opinion based on the evidence you have at the time, nothing wrong with that... so long as you are happy to change your opinion then if further evidence comes to light.

Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

Magna Carta also allows us to keep and bear arms... and we have no freedom to do that! So I am dubious it has any relevance these days.

Got to love David Camerons quote about ID cards... "your papers please" in a German accent... took the whingers ages to pick up on that one. Hehehe.

Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

Good post Ed, especially from one in your position who can see the realities of the laws being imposed...and unfairly used against the general public just cos they choose to excercise their democratic rights.

Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

I absolutely agree Ed, and I find all the big brother/nanny state etc quite disturbing :(

Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

Agree with everything you say Ed, except perhaps the Magna Carta was a bunch of Barons wanting a bigger slice of the pie :)

Re: Heavy handling of protesters by police
 

Isn't that the US 2nd amendment and the English Bill of Rights? I didn't know it was in Magna Carta