The frustrations of democracy are becoming increasingly overwhelming. There is a clear move to create more control over individual freedoms which have taken so long to establish. The current Police and Crime Bill going through parliament is an instance in point. The Bristol demonstration against the Bill and its descent into open violence will be seen by some as the very reason for implementing those sections of the Bill which would curtail public demonstrations of this kind, whereas the escalating of the protest to violent protest is a perfect example of the frustrations felt by those not being heard or listened to by those in legislative power who keep pushing a more prohibitive agenda and continuing limitations on individual freedom.
Law enforcement authority, as a result of the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations (amongst others), have continually called for more powers to deal with such public activity. They claim it is necessary in order to be able to control public order or rather disorder. Yet I am again reminded of a comment made by a British Prime Minister, on the 18th November 1783, nearly 238 years ago:
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves" William Pitt
Despite Mr Pitt’s warning, it has become increasingly frustrating to cope with the vicissitudes of human behaviour in our democratic free society. The levels of violence and chicanery that have surfaced in just day to day living are creeping up at alarming rates. It does not take much, so it would seem, for people to become angry, irrational, resort to verbal abuse and then violence. The number of scams, deceptions, outright dishonesty and acquisitiveness, particularly through the internet, has skyrocketed. The repetitive emails and texts ramped out automatically seem impossible to control.
No amount of fraud reporting to law enforcement and other agencies appears to have any effect; yet, because we have traditionally believed, and been brought up to believe, in the efficacy of law enforcement, we assume that by giving these agencies more powers, they will be able to control the flow. We look to our representatives to do something about it, and they, in turn, look to traditional ways of legislating the problems away. The assumption that making something illegal or increasing the penalties for illegal activity, will make the problem disappear, is clearly wrong. The assumption that by giving more powers to law enforcement officers, they will be able to control and correct anti-social behaviour, stop individuals from doing harm and keep the general public safe, is just as false and misguided.
Other well meaning attempts through social services, community and probation officers, and support units of all sorts, to assist transgressors, as well as victims, to reform, heal and return to a ‘normal life’, unfortunately show small return for their efforts. I hasten to add, that small return should not stop the effort.
We should be writing to our MP's to vote against any legislation that infringes human freedoms because of some perceived necessity. That is not the way to preserve democracy. We have to live with the problems that may be engendered by such action, but they can be faced with fortitude.
The management of public order does not have to become what one sees in Hong Kong, Myanmar, North Korea etc. I hesitate to include Russia, but it has definite issues relating to human rights and democratic government. There are too many countries verging on police and military dictatorship to give anyone any sense of security, which is why it is so important to maintain the fundamental freedoms we have and not erode them with the flow of infringing legislation.
We have a government prepared openly to deal with people who regularly attempt to stamp out protest and opposition, with repression and terminal violence. A government that continues to trade with leaderships that abuse women and civil rights, is clearly perfectly prepared to do the same to its own citizens under the guise of maintaining public order. Do not be taken in by the hypocritical rhetoric of the likes of Just Boris and the Outlaws, as well as Violette Elizabeth Patel. They use the displays of badly judged and criminal violence by misguided unfortunate protestors to feed their own agenda to maintain power. Sadly, what started out as a demonstration to stop repressive legislation, became counterproductive; however, condemnation of such violence should not be taken as a licence to curb civil liberties. The way to prevent such action is by not introducing such legislation in the first place. Without the prospect of such a bill, there would have been no protest and consequently no descent into the chaos that erupted.
In any democracy there is a problem with maintaining the freedom of speech and assembly that goes along with the very idea of democratic government. The ability to oppose policies which could strike at its very foundations, is inherent in the system. The public, as well as any individual, must keep watch and speak out when such policies arise and make their voices heard in whatever manner is available, but in any case, within the rule of law.
We have recently witnessed a demonstration and attack on the Capitol of the United States. That involved a demonstration that got out of control and moved from protest to an insurrection incited by men in power not willing to let go. In their defence, they claimed their constitutional right of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, and denied any incitement to violence. There has been no rush, or desire, to create new law to impose further sanctions on speech and assembly. On the contrary there is every attempt to bring those who participated in the attack to justice. Whether the men who incited the attack are eventually brought to justice is another matter. Unfortunately that appears to be unlikely, and their continued reliance on their constitutional freedoms is what keeps them safe at present. But should anyone actually bring them before a court of law, then they would have to establish that what they said was actually free speech and not incitement. That would be for a jury to decide. It would be within the rule of law.
The events in Bristol and Washington are very different is scope and intention, yet the basic principles of the right to protest are the same. Liberty and human rights are not always easy, and given people’s behaviour and seemingly endless propensity towards scamming and deceit, one cannot be surprised at things getting out of hand. The personal resolve to maintain integrity in one’s life is very weak, particularly if one observes the performance of our so called leaders in the current government. Why has Priti Patel not resigned for her flagrant breach of the ministerial code? Why have others felt the need to resign instead?
What I am getting at, is that more control and restrictions are not necessary. The laws prohibiting assaults and damage are already in existence. Restricting the right to assemble is contrary to democratic governance and human rights.
I have no solutions to offer, save that of education. Formal and informal instruction of what living in a social democracy is meant to be about. I believe it is meant to be about being able to walk the street without fear of assault at any time of day or night. It is meant to be about getting through the day without suffering abuse of any kind. It is meant not to be subjected to deceit or flimflammery on a daily basis. It is meant to be about living whatever life we choose with whoever and wherever we choose to live it, in peace and harmony, without giving offence or harm to others. It is about decency.
Public order is not about legislation and law enforcement, it is about behaving decently. How can we make that happen? I know some people who just do it. To them is is as natural as breathing air. Would that we could all be like that. In the meantime we should support what is peaceable, equitable, sociable, decorous and any other word that symbolises decency. The pursuit of happiness does not have to be boring or harmful. A smile and a laugh also go a long way too.
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