Udo Erasmus
Well-Known Member
Assembly accused of stifling free speech with a rule over placards and banners
Aug 6 2008 by Andrew Dagnell, Western Mail
THE National Assembly has been accused of stifling free speech by banning members of the public from protesting with banners outside the Senedd – unless they get permission.
Despite it being a public building, anybody wishing to stage a peaceful protest while using banners or hand-held signs on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay must seek approval to do so.
Similarly no banners can be placed on the building’s steps, according to a public order issued by the National Assembly Estate.
The regulations on protesting with signs came to light through a video posted on YouTube.
In it a protester who has placed a banner on the steps of the Senedd is approached by a police officer who tells him he is a breaking the public order.
He then presents him with a document, which says: “Signs or barriers must not be erected, attached or otherwise fixed to any part of the National Assembly Estate.
“Hand-held signs, banners or other promotional material may be displayed outside the Senedd with the approval of the Presiding Officer or a person acting on his behalf.”
Protesters do not, however, always need to contact the Presiding Officer directly. A security guard at the Senedd could give permission for someone on the spot, but they would have to be asked directly.
William Graham, a Conservative AM and member of the Assembly Commission, said he was unaware of this rule, but said he was opposed in principle to such a measure.
“(I) would vigorously oppose it if it came before the commission,” he said. “A ban on protests of the sort described would seem to be anti-libertarian.
“The freedom to hold peaceful protests is a fundamental human right. From the very first day the Assembly has been determined to be as open and transparent as possible.
“While I accept there are security issues to be considered, police and security staff are fully involved to advise the Assembly on the suitability of protests outside the Senedd.”
Plaid Cymru’s South Wales Central AM, Leanne Wood, said people should be encouraged to protest, as it formed a vital part of the political process.
“I am not aware of any incidences where placards have been removed or confiscated outside the Senedd building,” she said.
“We want to encourage people to engage in the political process. Protesting is part of that and it is good that people can bring their grievances so close to politicians in Cardiff compared to the situation in London.”
However, the Assembly’s efforts to control protest banners are not so draconian as those employed at Westminster. Downing Street is gated so visitors can be screened.
Former carpenter and peace protester Brian Haw has been in Parliament Square since June 2001. Despite arriving before the 9/11 terror attacks he has become a symbol of the anti-war movement.
But he has faced repeated attempts by the Government and police to remove him. In 2002 Westminster City Council tried and failed to prosecute him for obstruction. And in May 2006 police arrived and took all but one of his placards citing continual breaches of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 – widely believed to have been introduced as a result of Mr Haw’s demonstration.
A National Assembly for Wales spokesman confirmed that the information contained in the YouTube video was accurate.
The spokesman said: “The Assembly’s rules are clearly stated in the YouTube video. We do not comment on security issues. Therefore we have nothing to add.”
Aug 6 2008 by Andrew Dagnell, Western Mail
THE National Assembly has been accused of stifling free speech by banning members of the public from protesting with banners outside the Senedd – unless they get permission.
Despite it being a public building, anybody wishing to stage a peaceful protest while using banners or hand-held signs on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay must seek approval to do so.
Similarly no banners can be placed on the building’s steps, according to a public order issued by the National Assembly Estate.
The regulations on protesting with signs came to light through a video posted on YouTube.
In it a protester who has placed a banner on the steps of the Senedd is approached by a police officer who tells him he is a breaking the public order.
He then presents him with a document, which says: “Signs or barriers must not be erected, attached or otherwise fixed to any part of the National Assembly Estate.
“Hand-held signs, banners or other promotional material may be displayed outside the Senedd with the approval of the Presiding Officer or a person acting on his behalf.”
Protesters do not, however, always need to contact the Presiding Officer directly. A security guard at the Senedd could give permission for someone on the spot, but they would have to be asked directly.
William Graham, a Conservative AM and member of the Assembly Commission, said he was unaware of this rule, but said he was opposed in principle to such a measure.
“(I) would vigorously oppose it if it came before the commission,” he said. “A ban on protests of the sort described would seem to be anti-libertarian.
“The freedom to hold peaceful protests is a fundamental human right. From the very first day the Assembly has been determined to be as open and transparent as possible.
“While I accept there are security issues to be considered, police and security staff are fully involved to advise the Assembly on the suitability of protests outside the Senedd.”
Plaid Cymru’s South Wales Central AM, Leanne Wood, said people should be encouraged to protest, as it formed a vital part of the political process.
“I am not aware of any incidences where placards have been removed or confiscated outside the Senedd building,” she said.
“We want to encourage people to engage in the political process. Protesting is part of that and it is good that people can bring their grievances so close to politicians in Cardiff compared to the situation in London.”
However, the Assembly’s efforts to control protest banners are not so draconian as those employed at Westminster. Downing Street is gated so visitors can be screened.
Former carpenter and peace protester Brian Haw has been in Parliament Square since June 2001. Despite arriving before the 9/11 terror attacks he has become a symbol of the anti-war movement.
But he has faced repeated attempts by the Government and police to remove him. In 2002 Westminster City Council tried and failed to prosecute him for obstruction. And in May 2006 police arrived and took all but one of his placards citing continual breaches of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 – widely believed to have been introduced as a result of Mr Haw’s demonstration.
A National Assembly for Wales spokesman confirmed that the information contained in the YouTube video was accurate.
The spokesman said: “The Assembly’s rules are clearly stated in the YouTube video. We do not comment on security issues. Therefore we have nothing to add.”
