London: Right to protest?

It started as a row over traffic calming measures and is now a row over freedom of speech.

House for sale signs, but no protest placards allowed

For years a group of residents from Wanstead have been campaigning for new measures to cut the number of motorists using their street as a rat run.

They collected signatures for a petition, held protests in the road and wrote to their local newspaper.

But putting up placards in their gardens, like the ones used by estate agents, was a step too far for Redbridge Council.

This week the Planning Department sent out letters to the campaigners telling them to take down the signs.

It says they are adverts and therefore require planning permission.

Beverley Jones from the campaign group, South Wanstead Action Group or SWAG is furious.

She says her civil liberties are being eroded and she is pledging to keep her sign up and fight the council.

Councillors say that they are simply acting on the advice of their officers and will review the situation in 21 days.

Anti war protestor

Brian Haw has had messages of support from many visitors

They may be advised to look at the precedent set by the anti-war protester who has lived in a make shift camp and demonstrated in Parliament Square for more than two years.

Last year Brian Haw saw off a legal challenge by Westminster Council to remove him after a High Court judge ruled that Mr Haw could stay on.

One significant aspect of the case was an individual's right under article 10 of the European convention on human rights, which guarantees freedom of speech.

Mr Justice Gray said that he was not persuaded that Mr Haw's placards could be considered advertising.

The South Wanstead Action Group is hoping, however, that they won't have to go to court to keep their signs up.

They say the protest goes on!

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