arrests after democracy village victory (UPDATED)

12 activists were arrested outside downing street after an afternoon of further action under the umbrella "operation rolling thunder". earlier in the day, the high court granted right to appeal against eviction from parliament square.

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18:00 3/7/10 just heard simon moore has been sentenced to 20 days imprisonment for contempt of court. his "contempt" was to bring a white 'peace' flag in to the court.

also a third person has received a seven day sentence for refusing to pay £40 fines for obstruction. two women have already received similar prison sentences

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video by radfax can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpv8vVhGLC8

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more details added 3rd july - two activists imprisoned

the appeal hearing will be on 19th july at the high court - the village can not be evicted before then.

two people were arrested yesterday for climbing over the gates of parliament

a further thirteen were arrested outside downing street later, while sitting outside the gates - most were later released after accepting cautions (did they get legal advice - it's not normally a good idea to accept a caution!), but at least three are still in custody at lunchtime today.

two activists have also received prison sentences. one was fined for obstruction, was unable to pay and has been sent to holloway for seven days. another woman is also believed to have been imprisoned for seven days.

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earlier this week, after the high court verdict found in favour of boris and the GLA, a stay of execution was granted to give time for an appeal.

the appeal has now been lodged on behalf of five defendants, and the high court has granted a further stay on the bailiffs until the appeal hearing which will be during the week of the 12th to 16th july.

the appeal is based on points of law, challenging the ruling that the GLA has the right to possess and injunct on behalf of the landowner, the crown.

if the appeal is successful, the crown will have to apply via the attorney general for an eviction order, rather than the GLA.

this afternoon, parliament square was packed with activists and media in wait for the announcement. by 4.30, a crowd of activists surged across the road. some made it again into the grounds of parliament, while a group of 50 or more took the street and staged a sit-in. others climbed the gates of parliament and unfurled peace banners.

rush-hour traffic was stopped for nearly two hours by the impromptu action against the afghanistan war, and then they moved on along whitehall to stage a further sit-in outside the gates of downing street, where eventually twelve people were arrested.

some of those arrested last week, during an invasion of the parliament grounds, have now had bail conditions set on them that they are not to go within one metre of 'protected' government buildings.

the democracy village, which has already defied all predictions by lasting since may 1st, will now have another two weeks to continue actions under its 'rolling thunder' moniker. again they have called out for other activists and groups to come and join them and to strengthen their foothold outside parliament in what they continue to describe as the most exciting development in direct action protest seen for many years.

remember that they represent the views of around three quarters of the british population according to several independent surveys. it will not look good when the government eventually tries to shut them down, and the more people resisting that shut down, the worse it will be for the authorities. they have now created quite a lot of press interest, so any repression will occur in the bright lights of the media. this is why it is such an opportunity for the peace movement and other activists to become involved.

they generally hold planning meetings each day at 1pm, but they man a welcome desk so people are invited to join at any time and help make banners and help plan and join in with actions.

Contact email: rikkiindymedia(At)gmail(d0t)com