Legal Issues on Campaigning

[tabletaz]

Can anyone advise on below as to what is legal/illegal on the list below/any other relevant issues:

1. Handing out leaflets in a high street (individually or in a group)

2. Marching with/without a banner/leaflets in a group.

3. Speaking to people in a public place.

4. Speaking to people with leaflet at their residence or business.

5. Organising the above.

Thanks.

[Hazzard]

Its a free country, as of right now, so all of that is legal anywhere.

The only time its illegal is when you are asking for money in a public area.

The fact that you have to ask any of this disturbs me greatly. Good luck with your efforts.

[tabletaz]

Thanks Hazzard for comment.

However it is not legal to protest within a designated are around Parliament Square in London.

http://www.perfect.co.uk/2005/06/theyve-taken-away-another-little-bit- of-our-freedom

So, could a group of 20 people walk down Oxford Street with banners, handing out leaflets etc? Doesnt it have to be registered with the police?

[Fallious]

You are ok to march, but if the group is going to be large (30+ people, I would guess) the police like to know before hand. Otherwise they may, quite rightly, get worried and try to split you up.

[tabletaz]

Thanks for the comment Fallious.

Found this link on legal issues re peaceful protest etc

http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/the-right-of-peacefu l-protest/index.shtml

[Mark Gobell]

Some local authorities have moved to licence street leafletting using environmental legislation, meaning that you cannot leaflet in designated zones without first obtaining permission and paying for a licence. There's a thread on here somewhere.

[tabletaz]

thanks for the info mark