LONDON: Five demonstrators were arrested in central London yesterday during a rally against a new law restricting the right to protest near Britain's parliament.
It was timed to coincide with the coming into effect of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which includes a provision that protests within one kilometre of parliament must have police approval. The legislation also outlaws the use of megaphones and loudspeakers.
Some 200 protesters, mostly members of anti-war and anti-nuclear groups, gathered in Parliament Square, wearing black gags on their mouths.
The police, however, said around 50 people had taken part. They handed out leaflets warning the demonstrators that their rally was unauthorised before making the arrests. <snip>
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