Climate protesters block roads

[Vanden Saab]

eharding said:

Vanden Saab said:

May be the police asked if the Highways agency minded that the protestors were blocking the road....

Digging stuff up without warning, pointlessly blocking roads and generally annoying the tits off everybody. Who does that describe?

Around here it is mainly Wessex water...

[Dont like rolls]

Europa1 said:

I'd recommend when they relay the lawn they give consideration to installing pop up sprinklers....

These are good

[kev1974]

Local police are getting absolutely battered in the responses to this twitter posting.

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122944364...

I think they have badly misjudged the opinions of the Cambridge public on this one, and hopefully are having a few crisis meetings tonight, and will get their act together from tomorrow.


There's this other one where some police guy talks about the road closures, and in that one I can -kind of- see what he's trying to say ...

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122950256...

... however I'm not sure he's so sure that the human rights of a bunch of antisocial misfits trump the human rights of the general public to go about their day to day business and use the roads. And certainly I don't think there are any human rights to commit criminal damage to some organisation's lawn hence I think why Extinction Rebellion appear to have shot themselves in the foot again today, same as they did at Canning Town.

[jakesmith]

If they are breaking the law then why does their right to protest still apply? Surely protest has to be legal. Otherwise the old bill are effectively respecting the criminals right to break the law and putting it above the right of the law a abiding citizen to go about their business. It’s not right.

[Europa1]

Greendubber said:

kev1974 said:

The later update does now mention that "a crime has been recorded for criminal damage."

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-ne...

Sounds like a lot of the colleges have now (belatedly) closed their entrance doors for the week.

Good, I'm glad they've seen sense. Be interesting to see how the offenders are dealt with now.

Great. The colleges have closed their doors during half term week. I'm not convinced that is them having "seen sense".

[kev1974]

Europa1 said:

Greendubber said:

kev1974 said:

The later update does now mention that "a crime has been recorded for criminal damage."

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-ne...

Sounds like a lot of the colleges have now (belatedly) closed their entrance doors for the week.

Good, I'm glad they've seen sense. Be interesting to see how the offenders are dealt with now.

Great. The colleges have closed their doors during half term week. I'm not convinced that is them having "seen sense".

half term? in a university?

[Greendubber]

Europa1 said:

Greendubber said:

kev1974 said:

The later update does now mention that "a crime has been recorded for criminal damage."

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-ne...

Sounds like a lot of the colleges have now (belatedly) closed their entrance doors for the week.

Good, I'm glad they've seen sense. Be interesting to see how the offenders are dealt with now.

Great. The colleges have closed their doors during half term week. I'm not convinced that is them having "seen sense".

I'm referring to them finally making a complaint of damage.

[Agammemnon]

In fairness to Cambs police, I bet that if the protestors drive over the speed limit the full weight of the force will be brought to bear without mercy.

[Vanden Saab]

kev1974 said:

Local police are getting absolutely battered in the responses to this twitter posting.

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122944364...

I think they have badly misjudged the opinions of the Cambridge public on this one, and hopefully are having a few crisis meetings tonight, and will get their act together from tomorrow.


There's this other one where some police guy talks about the road closures, and in that one I can -kind of- see what he's trying to say ...

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122950256...

... however I'm not sure he's so sure that the human rights of a bunch of antisocial misfits trump the human rights of the general public to go about their day to day business and use the roads. And certainly I don't think there are any human rights to commit criminal damage to some organisation's lawn hence I think why Extinction Rebellion appear to have shot themselves in the foot again today, same as they did at Canning Town.

That second link and police video is ridiculous. When did the right to protest turn into being allowed to break the law..... I really cannot believe that this is where our police have got to with their thinking. It is utter madness...

[Some Guy]

Maybe someone should dig up the Cambridge Police's Chief Constables lawn. Peacefull protest at lack of Police action and all that which seems to be condoned.

[Europa1]

kev1974 said:

Europa1 said:

Greendubber said:

kev1974 said:

The later update does now mention that "a crime has been recorded for criminal damage."

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-ne...

Sounds like a lot of the colleges have now (belatedly) closed their entrance doors for the week.

Good, I'm glad they've seen sense. Be interesting to see how the offenders are dealt with now.

Great. The colleges have closed their doors during half term week. I'm not convinced that is them having "seen sense".

half term? in a university?

Yep, half term.

Some parents are lucky enough to have children who may be good enough to apply, if they can be inspired, and school holidays is when they bring them to town for a look. Other families come here during half term week because it's Cambridge with all sorts of things to see, and the colleges are certainly part of that.

[Graveworm]

Vanden Saab said:

kev1974 said:

Local police are getting absolutely battered in the responses to this twitter posting.

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122944364...

I think they have badly misjudged the opinions of the Cambridge public on this one, and hopefully are having a few crisis meetings tonight, and will get their act together from tomorrow.


There's this other one where some police guy talks about the road closures, and in that one I can -kind of- see what he's trying to say ...

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122950256...

... however I'm not sure he's so sure that the human rights of a bunch of antisocial misfits trump the human rights of the general public to go about their day to day business and use the roads. And certainly I don't think there are any human rights to commit criminal damage to some organisation's lawn hence I think why Extinction Rebellion appear to have shot themselves in the foot again today, same as they did at Canning Town.

That second link and police video is ridiculous. When did the right to protest turn into being allowed to break the law..... I really cannot believe that this is where our police have got to with their thinking. It is utter madness...

He is not really setting it out very well and in my view is not really saying what the college (App) or the law says. If a protest blocks the highway, then all the balancing acts have to come into play. However this was set out as an act which was intended to block the road. What people have said is correct, you can't set out to break the law and call it a protest. When they trespass on airfields, cause criminal damage then their right to protest does not make that OK.
As for the high bar again he set out preemptive measures but neglected the second criteria - the purpose of the protest is to intimidate others and compel them “not to do an act they have a right to do, or to do an act they have a right not to do."
Pretty obvious in this case it might be met here. Still no need to ban the protest, just impose conditions, that limits numbers, duration or location, so the roads can remain open.
This is from the 2019 parliamentary briefing document on policing protests -

something he should know about said:

The definition of “free passage” and “lawful authority or excuse” have been tested in the courts. There is an established precedent that a small obstruction of a highway cannot be considered an obstruction of “free passage”. This allows for protestors to lawfully obstruct part of a highway as part of their demonstration, but only if traffic can continue to move along the road.
Several cases have established that the right to peaceful protest cannot be considered a “lawful authority” to obstruct a highway.35 Therefore
enforcing section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 is seen as a justifiable encroachment on Article 10 and 11 rights.

Edited by Graveworm on Tuesday 18th February 01:24

[turbobloke]

Graveworm said:

Vanden Saab said:

kev1974 said:

Local police are getting absolutely battered in the responses to this twitter posting.

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122944364...

I think they have badly misjudged the opinions of the Cambridge public on this one, and hopefully are having a few crisis meetings tonight, and will get their act together from tomorrow.


There's this other one where some police guy talks about the road closures, and in that one I can -kind of- see what he's trying to say ...

https://twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/122950256...

... however I'm not sure he's so sure that the human rights of a bunch of antisocial misfits trump the human rights of the general public to go about their day to day business and use the roads. And certainly I don't think there are any human rights to commit criminal damage to some organisation's lawn hence I think why Extinction Rebellion appear to have shot themselves in the foot again today, same as they did at Canning Town.

That second link and police video is ridiculous. When did the right to protest turn into being allowed to break the law..... I really cannot believe that this is where our police have got to with their thinking. It is utter madness...

He is not really setting it out very well and in my view is not really saying what the college (App) or the law says. If a protest blocks the highway, then all the balancing acts have to come into play. However this was set out as an act which was intended to block the road. What people have said is correct, you can't set out to break the law and call it a protest. When they trespass on airfields, cause criminal damage then their right to protest does not make that OK.
As for the high bar again he set out preemptive measures but neglected the second criteria - the purpose of the protest is to intimidate others and compel them “not to do an act they have a right to do, or to do an act they have a right not to do."
Pretty obvious in this case it might be met here. Still no need to ban the protest, just impose conditions, that limits numbers, duration or location, so the roads can remain open.
This is from the 2019 parliamentary briefing document on policing protests -

something he should know about said:

The definition of “free passage” and “lawful authority or excuse” have been tested in the courts. There is an established precedent that a small obstruction of a highway cannot be considered an obstruction of “free passage”. This allows for protestors to lawfully obstruct part of a highway as part of their demonstration, but only if traffic can continue to move along the road.
Several cases have established that the right to peaceful protest cannot be considered a “lawful authority” to obstruct a highway.35 Therefore
enforcing section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 is seen as a justifiable encroachment on Article 10 and 11 rights.

Yes, BiB should be aware even if protesters and MoP aren't.

The upside if there is one is that XR and police are accelerating public rejection of XR.

[MDMetal]

On the plus side I no longer need to pay Cambridge excessive parking charges, I can park anywhere, even on a roundabout and leave a note saying that I'm undertaking a protest while I pop to the shops. Happy days!

[Dont like rolls]

MDMetal said:

On the plus side I no longer need to pay Cambridge excessive parking charges, I can park anywhere, even on a roundabout and leave a note saying that I'm undertaking a protest while I pop to the shops. Happy days!

Just make sure you wheel spin on and off, just to prove it.

[Vanden Saab]

Protesting at the Schlumberger Gould Research Centre today. Police arrived at the building before the protestors to ensure they were allowed to block the entrance and paint graffiti on the windows and doors... If this was happening in Iran the media would be talking about protests organised and encouraged by the police and politicians.

[menousername]

Methinks (tinfoil hat) its to encourage us to turn anti-protest generally

Get us seething about XR lot until we are asking for more strict intervention at such protests

Huge discrepancy between this response and the response to the anti capitalist protests in London a few years ago. Although admittedly they did not end well.

[Pesty]

CrutyRammers said:

Incredibly poor judgement by the police there.

The police are not there to help you or protect you.

[Greendubber]

Pesty said:

CrutyRammers said:

Incredibly poor judgement by the police there.

The police are not there to help you or protect you.

Absolute rubbish.

[Vanden Saab]

Pesty said:

CrutyRammers said:

Incredibly poor judgement by the police there.

The police are not there to help you or protect you.

WTAF!!!