Conference
programme and other information
Sunday October 23rd
2005
11am- 5pm
at The
Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London, N7
5 mins from Holloway tube. Buses: 4, 17, 29, 43,
153, 253, 259, 271, 279 and X43
Venue fully accessible. Fitted induction loop.
admission
free
· to share experiences, and promote
mutual aid & co-ordination among groups
threatened by repressive laws
· to develop effective strategies
for standing up for our freedom to protest against injustice
and oppression
Download
the workshop briefing papers - very useful information!
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Information
The conference is in a No Smoking venue.
Dogs - No Dogs except Guide Dogs.
Campaign materials - Due to lack of
space individual stalls are not available, but groups
can bring 1 or 2 types of leaflets about forthcoming
events & campaigns. You will need to collect
your remaining leaflets at the end of the event as we
do not have any storage space.
Creche - If you are unable to make
other childcare arrangements, there may be space available
in a creche for a very small number of children (under-8s).
However we need to know in advance, so please email
conference@freedomtoprotest.org.uk and give your phone
number.
Media - This event has been organised
as an opportunity for campaigners to develop effective
strategies for standing up for freedom to protest against
injustice and oppression. It is not designed as
an event for the press. To avoid disruption of
the event the organisers' policy is that there will
be no photos, recording or press activity inside the
event. Any interviews/press activity should take
place outside the venue, and can only be as individuals
or campaigns speaking for themselves, not on behalf
of others.
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Conference Programme
11.00am ARRIVAL, REGISTRATION
AND OPENING PLENARY
Information and videos. All participants
will receive a folder with further details about
the workshop themes. There will be a general information table with
relevant material. A
short compilation video of protests will be shown.
Introduction - Standing up for our rights and freedoms:
Thealarming growth of repressive measures being
used against protests needs to be challenged. The purpose of the
conference is to share experiences, ideas & tactics in order
to enable everyone to continue to oppose injustice and oppression,
and to encourage wider opposition and resistance to unjust laws.
Determination and inspiration! A series
of short presentations from a range of groups and campaigns who've
successfully resisted repressive measures.
12.45pm FIRST SESSION OF WORKSHOPS [Choice
of 4]
1. Q & A session on laws and legislation affecting
protest: What are the laws which
are being used to suppress protest, in particular which laws have
been recently brought in or further proposed? What kinds of activities
and groups are they being used against, and to what effect? What
are the long term implications?
2. Suing the police or proactively taking a case:
What options are there for campaigners wishing to take
legal action against the police and others seeking to restrict protest
and criticism? What are the prospects of success? How can it be
done effectively?
3. Defending cases in court:
How can campaigners defend themselves effectively when charged with
civil or criminal 'offences'. What are some of the legal procedures
and tactics they need to understand and use to get the most out
of the situation?
4. Importance of protest: empowering ourselves as individuals,
groups and movements: How
can people overcome isolation and fear - and see through the negative
media portrayal of protesting? How does opposition to injustice
and oppression become popular? How can we all gain strength from
the many struggles and movements around us - including some inspiring
examples of movements successfully overcoming repression in UK history,
and also around the world.
2.00pm LUNCH
BREAK Vegetarian and vegan snacks and drinks available.
3.00pm SECOND SESSION OF WORKSHOPS
[Choice of 4]
5. How to continue to protest effectively:
What practical tactics can protestors use to remain strong on the
street and in other protests, in the face of official harassment
and physical repression? How can campaigners stay in control of
their own events, able to assemble and move freely, and to communicate
effectively with the wider public?
6. Setting up support/defence/defiance campaigns:
Why is it important to organise support campaigns for people arrested,
sued or jailed etc? How can people set them up and what kind of
activities should they focus on? What can they achieve?
7. Resisting anti-terrorism measures that suppress protest
and criminalise movements or communities:
What can be done to challenge the increasing use of anti-terrorist
laws against protestors and the criminalisation of groups and communities
which are questioning Government foreign policy? How can those targeted
continue to express their views openly?
8. Dealing with the police face to face:
How can protestors deal with individual or groups of police in various
situations - on the street, during arrests or raids, or in negotiations
etc? What are the best ways of responding to friendliness, aggressive
questioning, threats and violence?
4.15pm - 5.15pm: CLOSING
PLENARY
Brief reportbacks from workshops.
Final discussion: What Next? :
Continue the Freedom To Protest email list and website? A national
day of action for "Freedom to Protest"? Distribute
Human Rights cards on protests? Regional FTP solidarity events?
A follow up conference in 2006? Widespread use of the 'Freedom To
Protest' logo on all groups' leaflets? Or just leave things to develop
naturally?
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