21 October Clubnight: What will the ASB Act mean for freedom?

PSPOs imageThe Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act will give the police and councils broad new powers to ban activities in public spaces, restrict the behaviour of particular individuals, and to disperse people from an area and confiscate their property.

This meeting – the day after enactment – will discuss the significance of these new measures, and their effect on public liberties.

Do such open-ended powers completely transform the role of UK local authorities and police? How much of a break do they represent from previous Orders controlling behaviour in public spaces? How is the ASB Act likely to be used, and what will it mean for freedom in public spaces? Is there a problem with ‘anti-social behaviour’ or incivility in public life, and how might this problem alternatively be tackled?

This meeting will bring together different groups and individuals concerned about these new powers, to discuss ways of taking them on in the period ahead.

Speakers: Peter Tatchell (human rights campaigner and director, Peter Tatchell Foundation); Jonny Walker (director, Keep Streets Live); Simon Calvert (campaign director, Reform Clause 1 Campaign; and The Christian Institute); Matthew Varnham (legal adviser, Occupy London and other protest groups); Val Stevenson (The Pavement Magazine); Josie Appleton (director, Manifesto Club).

Date: 21 October
When: doors open 7pm (discussion begins 7.45pm).
Where: The Vibe Bar (Pavilion room, upstairs), 91-95 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. See map

Cost: Free for Manifesto Club members; £5 non-members. (Join the Manifesto Club).


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Read on…

  • ASB Act: Quick-fire Guide
  • Briefing document – Buskers and homeless under threat from new ASB powers, Manifesto Club
  • Reform Clause 1 Campaign
  • Busking and Public Space Protection Orders, Jonny Walker, Keep Streets Live
  • New ASB Powers: Is there anything they CAN’T do?, Freedom Hotline Blog