NEWS RELEASE: Index on Censorship defends right to protest ahead of Margaret Thatcher’s funeral

16Apr13

Index on Censorship has defended the right to protest ahead of Margaret Thatcher’s funeral tomorrow.

Index CEO Kirsty Hughes said:
‘Some may feel it is distasteful to protest at a funeral but the right to protest is fundamental to a democracy. The role of the police is to maintain order not to prevent legitimate protest by those who wish to show dissent.’
The funeral has re-ignited the debate over Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, which could be used by the police to arrest anyone causing  ‘alarm’ or ‘distress’.  In February, MPs agreed to remove ‘insulting words and behaviour’ from Section 5 of the Act but this will not become law until later in the year.