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police and protesters


NVDA And The Law

'In a world where laws are made for money and property, those of us who hold, in even higher esteem, values such as beauty, naturalness and obligation to future generations, are left to challenge the law or defy it. After all, laws are not made in heaven, but in parliaments where the vested interests of the wealthy often usurp public interest and commonsense. So laws can end up restricting and snaring the true public interests of the people, of otherwise law-abiding citizens.'
Bob Brown -


Public Speaking
Letter Writing
Writing Submissions
Using The Law
Lobbying Politicians
Lobbying Corporations
Working With The Media
Get The Message Right
Tell The World
Non-Violent Direct Action
Planning Actions
Running A NVDA Workshop
NVDA and The Law
Starting A Website
 


If you have some co-ordination and negotiation skills, you may be able to get the direct action result you want without getting anyone arrested/fined/convicted. Then again, you may not. Be prepared.

Before doing an action, check your gut feeling to make sure your own personal motivation is solid. If you are breaking the law, you may well end up being arrested and subsequently convicted/imprisoned*.

If you have access to a video camera, use it to ensure that police follow procedures and that the arrest/s are civil and non-violent.

* Three Greenpeace activists were imprisoned for hanging a 'Go PVC Free' banner outside a toy fair. They were told they could spend three years in jail. Fortunately they were released after 14 days.

If Arrested

It should be stressed that, in all cases, activists should give no more than their name and address to the police unless advised otherwise by a lawyer. It is advisable to carry a photo ID so that the police can easily identify everyone they arrest. If you don't have a photo ID, they will hold onto you until you can prove who you are.

Responsibilities of your legal liaison person at the police station:

  1. Ascertain what, if any, charges are being filed.
  2. Ensure that the arrestees are being given their legal rights (contact a lawyer).
  3. Ensure that the arrested activists are released as soon as possible
  4. Make sure that the rest of your group is kept informed of the situation as it develops.

For more detailed information download Getting Arrested And Convicted - What Does It Mean? prepared by the NSW Environmental Defenders Office in Australia.

* Please note: the above file is in PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat you can download it here. It's free.

 


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