 |
|
|
Magistrate's Court --Monday, 12th October 1998, at 10:00 a.m. Legal Defence Fund Appeals Being Made for Donations |
|
There are believed to have been only three prosecutions for protest under this Act in the past 138 years. The Court has already indicated that it is considering sentencing Tatchell to a term of imprisonment. Tatchell's trial arises from his involvement in OutRage!'s Easter Sunday protest in Canterbury Cathedral, when he interrupted the sermon of the Archbishop of Canterbury, condemning Dr. Carey's support for discrimination against lesbian and gay people with regard to employment, the age of consent, fostering, and marriage. The prosecution claim that any form of protest in a church --no matter how peaceful and dignified-- is "indecent" under the terms of the Act. No Cathedral clergy or administrators are appearing as prosecution witnesses. None are supporting the charge of indecency. At an earlier Magistrate's Court hearing on 12th June, Tatchell was refused permission to summons Dr. Carey as a witness, despite satisfying all the legal requirements. The Court declined to give a reason for its refusal. At the same hearing --again without explanation-- the Court refused Tatchell access to unused prosecution evidence which the prosecutor has admitted may undermine the case against Tatchell and could help his defence. Tatchell is calling for the repeal of the statute under which he is charged, arguing that "it gives the Church privileged immunity from public protest and dissent".
"What is at stake in this trial in the precious, hard-won freedom to demonstrate. If the prosecution win, it will be a defeat for civil liberties and a victory for authoritarianism. "The restrictions on tbe right to protest under the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act are incompatible with. a democratic society and should be repealed", said Mr. Tatchell. DEFENCE FUND APPEAL OutRage! is appealing for contributions to the Peter Tatchell Defence Fund. "We need financial help to fight this prosecution", said David Allison of OutRage!. "Peter's case is an important test of civil liberties. We must defend the right to peaceful protest and resist this attempt to stifle freedom of speech". Cheques should be made payable to "OutRage!" and sent to: OutRage!, P.O. Box 17816, London. SW14 8WT |
Peter Tatchell and other members of OutRage! London ascend to the pulpit 
"The right to free speech does not stop at the door of a Cathedral. Under
this ancient law, the Church has privileged protection against protest. No
other institution is granted these special, sweeping powers to suppress
dissent. It should not be a crime to criticise the Archbishop of Canterbury
in his Cathedral", said Tatchell.
© 1997-98 BEI