Behzti Play- Protesters Go To The High Court

[www.shaheedkhalsa.com]

Dear Sangat can we request your support in this matter.

After 10 months of effort Guru Maharaj has given us an opportunity to mount a legal challenege at the High Court, to be heard on 3 and 4 November at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The case challenges the police handling of a peaceful protest outside the Birmingham Rep theatre on 16 December 2004, days before, and totally unrelated to the violence, which erupted later, against the staging of the play “Behzti”.

Please forward and attend the proceedings as an _expression of support.

Transport from the Midlands will be arranged from Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick on both days. We especially urge people from London and surrounding areas to attend.

Gurfateh.

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ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORDER USED AGAINST SIKH PROTESTERS

A Sikh protester has launched a legal challenge in the High Court, to be heard on 3 and 4 November at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The case challenges the police handling of a peaceful protest outside the Birmingham Rep theatre on 16 December 2004, days before, and totally unrelated to the violence, which erupted days later, against the staging of the play “Behzti”. A group of Sikh protesters were protesting peacefully handing out leaflets and talking to the public until police ordered the group to disperse pursuant to an anti-social behaviour order. Individuals who refused to disperse were arrested, detained and either cautioned or faced charges.

The legal challenge is based on the Human Rights Act 1998 which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights. In May, the High Court granted permission to review the police action in light of the human rights issues.

Nusrat Chagtai of Public Interest Lawyers acting in this case said:

“Parliament could not have intended that anti-social behaviour orders be used against peaceful protesters exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest under the Human Rights Act. In this case, there was an anti-social behaviour authorisation in Birmingham City Centre to deal with persistent problems connected to alcohol and entertainment in the area during the Christmas period – not to deal with individuals exercising their legitimate right to religious protest.”

The case will start at 10am at the Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand, London, on 3 November.

Further information can be obtained from:

Nusrat Chagtai

Public Interest Lawyers

0121 – 212 - 1868

nusrat@publicinterestlawyers.co.uk

[manbiro singh]

so are sangat going to stand outside and protest peacefully? a genuine question

[Atheist]

Oh give me a break, the police only have to breathe and you have to complain.

Police were injured by so called 'Peacefull' protestors smashing windows and frightening little kids!

The General public will side with the Police on this - trust me

[kuljeet]

were you frightened? my kid was there and he was fine.

[Papee Singh]

atheist...

if u wasn't there then you don't know what happened. so mind ur own business. i why should we trust u??? u an expert in this field.

[gupt_paapi]

lemmi point summing out

The case challenges the police handling of a peaceful protest outside the Birmingham Rep theatre on 16 December 2004, days before, and totally unrelated to the violence, which erupted days later,

jsut wanted 2 remind u.. read the whole article next time

[GuruManeyoGranth]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Interesting case, based on interesting legal arguments. But I think it is wide of the mark to say that it is the most important case for Sikhs since Mandla.

Mandla concerned the rights of Sikhs to wear their Dastaar in Schools. This case concerns the right to protest, which affects the whole public, even though it arose on facts in which Sikhs were involved.

However, it could be good if we protest outside the court PEACEFULLY to show what the original aims of the Behzti protest were.

Bhul Chuk Maaf

Waheguroo

[Singh Sher]

WJKK WJKF!!!

Details ASAP of who is allowed to go and about the transport from smethwick? - what time the coach is leaving etc and what will exactly be happening there? Also the time every1 will come back in evening?

Could some1 from sangat post details As soon as possible please, it will be really appreciated!

WJKK WJKF!!!

[Singh Sher]

WJKK WJKF!!!

Details ASAP of who is allowed to go and about the transport from smethwick? - what time the coach is leaving etc and what will exactly be happening there? Also the time every1 will come back in evening?

Could some1 from sangat post details As soon as possible please, it will be really appreciated!

WJKK WJKF!!!

[www.shaheedkhalsa.com]

Play protest goes to High Court

A man arrested during a protest by Sikhs against a play at the Birmingham Rep has started High Court action against the police.

Pritpal Singh, arrested for failing to leave, is arguing the police were heavy-handed in using dispersal powers at a peaceful demonstration.

A number of protests were held in December 2004 over Behzti, a play which depicts scenes of abuse in a temple.

The theatre eventually cancelled the play's run over safety fears.

University student Mr Singh, from Styvchale, West Midlands, was released after being cautioned.

Human rights

He is claiming that if the dispersal order was unlawful then his arrest and caution should be quashed and that he would be entitled to damages for breaches of his rights.

Speaking for Mr Singh, David Pievsky said police should not have used powers under the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act to disperse peaceful protesters.

He told the court that on 16 December, many Sikhs wished to protest about the play over concerns about the message it was sending out about their religion.

They had been allowed inside the theatre to hand out leaflets, he said, but the theatre managers then asked police to remove them as the numbers were more than anticipated.

Once they were removed they were ordered to disperse and banned from returning that day.

Public harassed

He argued the dispersal order was unlawful because the authorisation under which it was imposed was targeted at alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour in the area in the run up to Christmas.

West Midlands Police are resisting the judicial review application, saying officers had reasonable grounds for believing the protesters behaviour could result in members of the public being intimidated and harassed.

They said a staff member was threatened, another protester kicked a poster box and another set off a fire alarm.

There were violent protests outside the theatre on the weekend of 18 and 19 December.

The case continues.

DECISION LIKELY LATER TODAY