standing in groups, shouting and picking up stones.
These orders are not subject to democratic or legal scrutiny: they can be brought through by a single unelected council officer, and do not require public consultation or full council assent.
How exactly is this legal? How can you fine people for executing on their rights of free speech? This could genuinely be the way that protesting would be punished or banned outright in some areas.
From Wikipedia:
A PSPO placing restrictions on dog-walking was challenged via judicial review issued in Richmond upon Thames resulting in orders related to causing annoyance and damage to council property being removed. This affirmed the principle that PSPOs are intended to target antisocial rather than annoying behaviours.
Meaning that what the councils are doing now is probably not legal, but it looks like they’re targeting people who wouldn’t have the resources to challenge them in court.
From the Guardian article:
“The government recently lost three votes in a row in the House of Lords, as peers voted to ban fining for profit for PSPOs. Unfortunately, the government rejected the amendments, but has agreed to make changes to statutory guidance,” Appleton said.
Somehow the House of Lords seems more aligned with the public’s interests than the elected government.
