[Boycott - Israel Supporters]

Marks and Spencer in free speech storm

David Ottewell, Manchester News
17 July 2004

Bosses at Marks and Spencer in Manchester are planning to use controversial anti-social behaviour orders against protesters.

The flagship store is gathering evidence with a view to obtaining ASBOs against pro-Palestinian groups who have noisily targeted its Market Street branch for 3½ years.

The move has been criticised by civil liberty campaigners, who say it infringes people’s rights of free speech.

Marks and Spencer picket (this one in London)
6 May 2004, courtesy Alex Eisenstein, indymedia

Anyone breaching an order can be jailed for up to five years. Only the police, council or a registered social landlord can apply.

Mike Rawlings, Manchester’s retail crime operations manager, said: “Marks and Spencer has been collating information and looking at trying to issue and enforce ASBOs.

Operating

“The situation is on-going. A lot of what is happening is a great nuisance to the company, but a lot of it is quite lawful. I don’t think that the company would be able to get an ASBO imposed just because someone was protesting against something. “The key phrasing in the orders is ‘alarm, distress and harassment’.�

The pickets, who have been operating since November 2000, involve a number of groups, including Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! and the Iraq Solidarity Campaign.

FRFI, which has organised 16 M&S pickets around the country, claims the company supports Israel, which it blames for the current bloody stand-off with the Palestinians.

It says the Manchester picket has been targeted by “anti-protest� groups which have tried to destroy banners.

Persecution

Police have confirmed they arrested a 33-year-old man on July 3 for allegedly ripping up posters.

Neither Marks & Spencer nor Manchester city council would comment on the situation.

Hussein al-Alak, chairman of the ISC in Manchester, said: “There is a feeling of persecution. It is unbelievable that one little protest is causing so much hoo-ha and so much scandal.�

Peter Rothery, a lawyer and member of the council’s Lib Dem opposition, said: “Anyone has a right to protest in a free society.

“It would be quite wrong to take an ASBO out in respect of people protesting a legitimate issue.�

ASBOs were introduced to make it easier for councils and police to curb anti-social behaviour, including racist abuse and neighbour nuisance.

Source: http://www.openmanchester.org.uk/?p=204

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