Demo ban protesters deny charges

Demonstrators gathered at the court to support the protesters

Ten anti-war activists have appeared in court accused of defying a ban on unauthorised protests near Parliament.

Ann Clancy, 70, from Harrow, north-west London, was among those arrested in demonstrations days after the ban came into force at the start of August.

All of the accused denied charges under laws which prohibit protests, without prior police approval, within half-a-mile of Westminster.

Bow Street magistrates bailed all 10 until a hearing later this month.

The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act effectively bans all spontaneous protests near Parliament

This government is trying to bring in laws which take no account of the people Ann Clancy

Ministers said planned protests can be held but the rights of protesters and workers in the area must be balanced.

But campaigners said the move restricted an established right to protest.

After appearing in court on Tuesday Mrs Clancy said she could not sit back and do nothing.

"I have had a good life in this country and it is very, very sad to see what is happening.

"This government is trying to bring in laws which take no account of the people. The people must have democracy."

Human rights

Caroline Simpson, 61, a mother of three from Bounds Green, north London, said she believed her human rights were being curtailed.

"It's not a minor thing to be arrested and to have to go to court, it affects people's lives and it affects people's jobs and we feel very strongly about this," she said.

Critics of the exclusion zone also said there was no need to extend the ban over such a wide area - it will cover St James's Park, much of the South Bank and Charing Cross to Lambeth Bridge.

Further protests

Brian Haw from Worcestershire recently won a High Court legal battle to continue his anti-war vigil outside Parliament.

The new laws were brought in to remove Mr Haw's protest but his lawyers argued his demonstration had begun four years ago and therefore he did not have to apply for authorisation.

Further protests against the exclusion zone are being planned every Sunday at noon in Parliament Square.