Green Jenny Jones to support ‘coach-napped’ protesters

The 120 demonstrators were not arrested or charged, but were prevented from going to a lawful demonstration, and were instead escorted in a large police operation back to London.

They told the High Court in a recent hearing that the operation constituted arbitrary imprisonment and a breach of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

The judgement is to be delivered tomorrow at the High Court at 10am.

Jenny, who is to attend the case and a demonstration outside beforehand, commented: "Going on a demonstration is as lawful as going shopping or playing football, and the right to do so is fundamental to a free society.

"I am hoping that the High Court takes the same view. I have already told the Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, that I take a very dim view of the Metropolitan Police involvement in this case, even though the Met haven?t been taken to court, as it was led by Gloucestershire Police.

"If the police lose this court case, I will be making strong representations at the forthcoming Metropolitan Police Authority that they need to entirely rethink how they deal with these demonstrations.

"It is both a flagrant attack on people?s civil liberties to imprison and transport them across the country; and also a grotesque waste of public money to fight the case in the courts."

Jenny Jones is our candidate for London Mayor 2012. For more information on her campaign, please visit www.jennyforlondon.org

NOTES FOR EDITORS

John Halford, solicitor at Bindman & Partners 0207 833 4433 representing the Fairford Coach Action, Jane Laporte on 07817 483 167 or Jesse Schust on 07814 587 361 or e-mail thedishbench@yahoo.com www.fairfordcoachaction.org.uk

ENDS

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