Letter published on harassment of information tables

galway | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Monday November 03, 2003 20:32

by Kieran Cunnane - Defend Free Speech, Assembly and Activity

kierancunnane at eircom dot net

091 770067

Letter to Editor published in 3 local newspapers on the harassment of information tables by the authorities. Several groups and political parties got together on this and endorsed.

Dear Editor,

We the undersigned wish to make a public statement, backing Defend Free Speech, Assembly and Activity. We will not be bullied off the streets of Galway. In recent times, a Community Warden has been threatening groups who give out information on the streets with removal of their tables and with calling the guards. It is likely that this warden is being directed from officials in City Hall. The road traffic act 1993, Sections 70 and 71 have been used as the justification for these latest assaults on democracy. If these particular laws had any clout, they would have been enforced in this context many times since their inception in 1993. They have not. Indeed, although they are National Laws, none of our groups have heard of their application anywhere else in the country. They are designed for the open road and traffic hazard situations caused mainly by trees, branches, shrubbery and farm machinery. Now, having been dug up in an attempt to silence voices of opposition, their attempted use is being inappropriately applied to a Pedestrian Street in Galway. We declare that we have lawful authority to give out information under Section 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, and under the European Convention of Human Rights.
Another method being used by the authorities is that, when permission is requested, insurance of €6.5 Million is sought. Reading through the Road Traffic Act there is no mention of any insurance. Where this ludicrous figure has come from is not known; suffice to say it would be laughed out of any court. Are fold out, portable wallpaper tables on pedestrian streets a hazard capable of causing millions of personal injury ? Has anyone ever complained that a table caused a hazard since Galway’s streets became pedestrianised ? Indeed, the streets are already insured, so why in any event would there be a need for double insurance ? Going forward, permission will not be requested, unless our groups see a valid concern or reason for doing so, due in part to this ludicrous demand, but also because it is clear from International Law that it is not required.
The Community Warden did recently actually call the guards on a Galway Fair Trade Group. Ironically, this campaigner was giving out her information just over a week after the City Council passed a motion to endorse Fair Trade shops and products. Groups have in the past consulted members of the Gardaí, and were told that they were not breaking any laws. The warden’s action is in contrast, dragging the Gardaí into this issue. However, legal advice has been provided from several quarters, and we all will be standing up to any attempts to push us off the streets or to remove our tables. We will follow the full due legal process with anyone who threatens our rights.
We are stating loud and clear for all to hear, that we will not be bullied off our streets.

Yours,
Dette McLoughlin (Chairperson Defend Free Speech, Assembly and Activity),
Sean Dunleavy (Spokesperson, Socialist Worker’s Party),
Marian Brady (Secretary, Galway Green Party),
Collette Connolly (PRO, Galway Labour Party),
Daniel Callinan (Secretary, Galway Sinn Fein),
Kieran Cunnane (Chairperson, Galway for a Safe Environment),
Nuria Dunne (Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign),
John Cunningham (Convenor, Galway Alliance against War),
Niall O’ Brolcháin (Galway Environmental Alliance),
Brendan Smith (Sunnyvale Gardens),
Geraldine McDermott (Galway Fair Trade Group).

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Comments (6 of 6)

Galway City Council

by Community Warden - City council services

Mon Nov 03, 2003 20:50

enquiries at galwaycity dot ie

City Hall, College Rd, Galway

091 536400

read more at the link at what they're SUPPOSED to do. Note the term 'as appropriate', which implies that they should use common sense and discretion.
This is contrary to the long held mentality of 'just follow the orders of corrupt politicians"

contact the council at the above address.
Anyone have the names, contact details of the councillors who backed this clamp-down on free speech?

Well done.

by Tim

Mon Nov 03, 2003 20:58

I know the score.
They'll try telling you you're making a fuss over nothing, but it's the thin end of the wedge.

over the past 12 months the government has seen a lot of public opinion mobilised and they don't like it. I noticed how hostile they've become to anti-war posters (and we went through the procedure of asking for permission!)

Wonder what else they've got in mind that they don't want anyone complaining about?

i wonder if anyone would have advice

by pc

Tue Nov 04, 2003 12:47

on a sort of similar situation with foodnotbombs
we want to do it in a city centre park but they called the guards on us in stephens green
which technically isn't public property afaik
will just have to do in a unwarden park...

food not bombs - test the laws

by Big John

Tue Nov 04, 2003 13:07

Read the bye-laws very carefully and think whether there are ways to test these, and possibly stretch them. Some of these regulations may benefit the public, while others just pander to the egos of minor public officials. Happy eating.

i read the bye laws

Tue Nov 04, 2003 13:15

it says what the warden says goes

now i don't in person think it reasonable to kick us out for giving out free food but i don't see techincally a way to get round it,

i think st stephens green is diff it has its own act of law

It is a public place

by spacehed

Tue Nov 04, 2003 14:05

It's owned by the Office of Public Works.
Those wardens don't really know the law.
When challenged they make the assumption that most people in uniform do.
-if you're doing something they don't understand or their bosses don't like, then they think that it's enough for them to tell you to stop doing it.

We marched through the park one day (purely as it was the shortest way to the Dept of Foreign Affairs. The wardens thought they could take our banners as "advertising is not allowed". We told them we were passign through, and keeping our banners and if they wanted to take them, then we'd call the cops and report it as theft.

People can eat in the park, so people can give out free food in the park. If it's free then it's not trading (which is restricted)

Don't aim to be confrontational, rather educational, and be polite but firm with them, even if they get lippy with you.

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Letter published on harassment of information tables

Comments (6 of 6)