I can't be the only person who felt quite disturbed by today's Guardian's front page. The police are apparently monitoring thousands of UK activists. Surveillance officers are taking pictures of campaigners as they come and go from openly advertised public meetings.
Events monitored include demos on animal rights, anti-war protests and climate change. What we consider a peaceful rally, might be labelled as 'domestic extremism' by the authorities.
Will this put off the thousands of people planning on attending one of the 350 demonstrations taking place across the UK this December to coincide with the Copenhagen climate change conference? You may not be breaking the law, but apparently the police may still be interested in your activities.
And will this action change the public's perception of campaigners? If the police are keeping a watchful eye, then there must be some suspicion abound. But what is worrying is that such a move not only demonises activists but it challenges our very right of freedom of speech.
No comments:
Post a Comment