THE decision of Judge Roy Andersen to order that Lindis Percy be the first peaceful protester ever to be electronically tagged and placed under curfew is yet another blow against civil liberties in this country.
It is a small consolation that Lindis, a 63-year-old midwife, did not become the first ever peaceful protestor to have an anti-social behaviour order placed upon her.
The message either way is clear: we are prepared to remove the liberty of those who campaign for liberty.
In refusing the ASBO, the judge indicated that her actions were "the expression of legitimate comment and the expression of views on matters of public concern" and conceded that her protests were indeed peaceful.
Despite this the law has silenced her freedom of expression. Again, our right to protest has been shown to be under attack.
As someone who has myself protested and been arrested at USAF Menwith Hill, I fully support the stance that Lindis Percy has taken. The Menwith Hill spy-base is already a national embarrassment, and by seeking a ten-year ASBO the Ministry of Defence has compounded this wrong, siding with the might of the American military machine against the freedoms of this country.
I have written to Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, urging that he intervene to rescind the restricting orders placed on Mrs Percy. I urge everyone who values the freedom to dissent in this country to contact either Mr Clarke at the Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT, or their own MP, and do the same.
Councillor Mark Hill (Green Party),
Reginald Grove,
York.
Updated: 09:47 Saturday, May 21, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article