Petition against police threat

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https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uk_protest_loc/?bdjYcab&v=53589
Our police have just told a group of climate change campaigners they must hire a private security firm to run their massive demonstration next month -- at a cost of thousands of pounds!

Allowing people to protest is a key pillar of our democracy -- we pay our taxes so the police can ensure public safety. But now several groups are being told to pay for private firms to steward the marches instead!

Austerity is changing our very right to protest -- let’s come together to act now and stop this dangerous precedent.

The police know they are on shaky ground and a huge public outcry could force the authorities to drop this new policy. Click below to join -- when 50,000 of us sign in 48 hours time we’ll get a coalition of campaign groups to deliver the petition directly to New Scotland Yard and Minister of State for Policing, Mike Penning and demand the right to protest is protected not privatised!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uk_protest_loc/?bdjYcab&v=53589

The police say that they don’t have the resources to send officers to demonstrations unless they think that crimes are likely to be committed, and have told demonstrators to hire private companies to regulate the traffic instead, slapping a huge price-tag on peaceful protest that many simply cannot afford.

By demanding campaign groups pay others to do this work, they are creating a huge barrier that will kill off many protests before they even happen. This isn't just one climate march, other marches are also facing cancellation because they just simply can't afford it. Nothing could be more dangerous than making protests the preserve of the wealthy!

It’s a blow to our democracy that we can’t let happen. Let’s come together, stand with the climate marchers and other campaigning organisations, and defend our right to protest. Sign here and share with everyone!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uk_protest_loc/?bdjYcab&v=53589

Last year, thousands of Avaazers took to the streets of Britain and marched for climate action. Now, the right to demonstrate is being threatened, trampling all over our democratic principles. Let’s come together once again and stand up against this dangerous privatisation of protest.

In solidarity and determination,
Bert, Sam, Alex, Andrea, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team.

More Information:

Climate change marchers told to hire private security firm (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/07/climate-change-marchers-p rivate-security-protest-police

UK police demand protesters to hire own security firm (Press TV)
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/02/08/396688/Right-to-protest-underm ined-in-UK

Charging protest groups 'outrageous' says MP (BBC News)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31304266