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DEAR , 

ARE WE #FREETOPROTEST?

In the UK, on the day of the coronation of Charles III, 64 anti-monarchy
activists [4] were arrested for exercising their right to protest. Six were
detained for 16 hours. Although the Metropolitan Police expressed
‘regret’, and attempted to explain why they made the arrests, what is
very clear is the extent to which the UK government has placed dangerous
restrictions on the right to dissent through protest.

Quinn McKew, ARTICLE 19’s Executive Director, commented on the situation:


'ARRESTS TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO “UNDERMINE CELEBRATIONS” NOT ONLY
MISSED THE POINT, THEY VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION STANDARDS. THE UK IS THE HOME OF THE CHARTIST MOVEMENT, THE
FIRST MASS MOVEMENT DRIVEN BY THE WORKING CLASSES. THE UK PUBLIC HAS FOUGHT
FOR AND WON THE RIGHT TO VOICE DISSENT — INCLUDING AGAINST THE MONARCHY.
THE UK CANNOT CALL ITSELF A MODERN SOCIETY OR A PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY IF
IT TRIES TO SILENCE THAT DISSENT. AUTHORITIES MUST PROTECT THIS RIGHT, NOT
PLACE BARRIERS IN FRONT OF IT.'

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Image by: Alisdare Hickson / Flickr. 2022

What can we achieve when we unite to march through the streets, and what
challenges do we face? ARTICLE 19 has been working on the right to protest
in the UK and in other countries for the last two years. We recorded the
stories and insights from an amazing group of activists in the
#FREETOPROTEST podcasts.

Jo Glanville and Nicola Kelly talk to writers, journalists, and academics
about some of the most fiercely contested issues [5] spurring people to
take action around the world, from women demanding their rights to equality
and have autonomy over their own bodies in Iran and Poland [6] to activists
on the frontline of the climate crisis [7] to the rights of LGBTQI+
communities [8] in Serbia and Ghana.

'I THINK THERE IS DISCRIMINATION BY THE STATE AUTHORITIES. IT IS
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTERS. THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO
INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT BY THE STATE, INCLUDING JUDICIAL HARASSMENT,
PHYSICAL HARASSMENT AGAINST US AND OUR FRIENDS OR FAMILIES’

– Panadda 'Tong', activist in Thailand

ARTICLE 19 is campaigning for all people, especially those who face
discrimination, to be able to protest safely [3]. Over the next four years
we will call on the police, the media, and on policymakers to end police
brutality at protests, humanise protesters, and to reform laws to make
protest safer for all.

OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON THE ACTIONS OF ALL OF US.

NOW IS THE TIME TO RAISE YOUR VOICE.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT #FREETOPROTEST:

VISIT THE WEBPAGE

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