We read:
"A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word "cult" to describe the Church of Scientology. The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion. Officers confiscated a placard with the word "cult" on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The decision to issue the summons has angered human rights activists and support groups for the victims of cults. The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church's œ23m headquarters near St Paul's cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was "abusive and insulting".
Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager facing court said: "I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: 'Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.' "'Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector." A policewoman later read him section five of the Public Order Act and "strongly advised" him to remove the sign. The section prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.
The teenager refused to back down, quoting a 1984 high court ruling from Mr Justice Latey, in which he described the Church of Scientology as a "cult" which was "corrupt, sinister and dangerous". After the exchange, a policewoman handed him a court summons and removed his sign....
Liberty director, Shami Chakrabarti, said: "This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain's free speech traditions. "After criminalising the use of the word 'cult', perhaps the next step is to ban the words 'war' and 'tax' from peaceful demonstrations?"
Ian Haworth, from the Cult Information Centre which provides advice for victims of cults and their families, said: "This is an extraordinary situation. If it wasn't so serious it would be farcical. The police's job is to protect and serve. Who is being served and who is being protected in this situation? I find it very worrying.
The City of London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers, ranging from constable to chief superintendent, had accepted gifts worth thousands of pounds from the Church of Scientology. The City of London Chief Superintendent, Kevin Hurley, praised Scientology for "raising the spiritual wealth of society" during the opening of its headquarters in 2006.
Source
6 comments:
What is left of the once great Great Britain? How sad!
Although I think this whole protest was just a childish outlash, most likely to sway more people to their own beliefs, It is just plain silly to charge the kid. Hell, its not much differant the the Political campaigning done here in the US; He, or she, that can make the others look worse wins the election.
Some of the local police appear to be in the pocket of the cash-rich Scientology CULT - and hopefully the corrupted officers in question will be investigated and prosecuted.
Where were these police when the muslims had hissy fits over cartoons and movies? If anything ever met the crieria it was certainly their signs calling for death and such.
I believe some were arrested or later traced after complaints (as they were photographed), but I don't know what the result was. But some firebrand imams have been deported.
So someone speaks the truth and get pesicuted for it englandd might as well return to putting them on the rack after all crinimals have free run of the country and KING RICHARD THE LION HEARTED,ADMERAL HORATIO NELSON and WINSTON CHURCHIL must be spinning in their graves at whats happened to the once great GREAT BRITIAN
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