Demonstrate Monday 26th September 3pm, Bham Magistrates Court
Three men have been charged with causing danger to road users after they scaled a bridge which connects the Hyatt Hotel to the ICC in Broad Street Friday evening and unfurled a banner. The banner read ‘Traitors Not Welcome’ to highlight that many of the people who voted Lib Dem last year feel betrayed by their enthusiastic adoption of policies opposed to what they voted for, in particular their decision to break their pledge on tuition fees.
At court all three men pleaded not guilty denying entirely that they caused danger to road users. Even the prosecution accepted in court that “no damage or injury was caused.” Two of the men were bailed on the condition that they do not enter Birmingham City Centre but the other one- Edward Bauer, Education VP at Birmingham University Student Union- was refused bail on the grounds of a previous conviction for aggravated trespass, as well as his continuing trial for the peaceful occupation of the Fortnum and Mason shop on March 26th of this year. He has been sent to prison awaiting a review of his bail.
This is an outlandish use of the law to imprison someone who poses no threat to the public. It comes as dozens of student protesters are set to go on trial in the coming months for daring to demonstrate against rising tuition fees last winter. Sentences already handed down to protestors have been excessive to say the least. Frankie Fernie, a student from York, received 12 months for throwing a few sticks, whilst Charlie Gilmour is serving an 18 month sentence for throwing a bin at the royal convoy on December 9th.
It also follows a dramatic increase in the number of people being refused bail in the wake of the riots, when 70% of those charged with riot related offences were remanded in custody compared to an average of 10% during 2010. This blanket refusal of bail is currently subject to a legal challenge by Solicitors Hodge Jones & Allen for denying people “a long -standing and essential part of our criminal justice system” in which bail “should be carefully considered and each case should be looked at on its own merits.”
The imprisonment of Ed Bauer however, suggests this attack on civil liberties has set a dangerous precedent which is now being mobilised to further crack down on protest and dissent.
A defence campaign has been launched on Facebook (‘Banner Drops Are Not A Crime’) and Twitter (@BannerNotACrime), which has called a solidarity demonstration for 3pm, outside Birmingham Magistrates Court, Corporation Street.
NUS President Liam Burns and other members of the NUS executive have signed up to a statement calling on Theresa May to order his release immediately.
Members of Birmingham UCU have also met and produced the following statement:
“This meeting of Birmingham University UCU members defends the right to non-violent protest against fees and cuts.
“This meeting deplores the arrest of Guild of Students Vice President of Education Edward Bauer for dropping a banner from a bridge near the ICC on Friday, condemning Nick Clegg for endorsing increased tuition fees.
“This meeting further deplores the court’s refusal to grant Mr. Bauer bail, apparently on the grounds that he is a member of the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts and is awaiting trial for taking part in a previous non-violent protest.
“This meeting calls on the University of Birmingham not to take any disciplinary action against Mr. Bauer for a peaceful protest which took place off-campus.”
In their pathetic belief that they have some very minor role in government now the Lib. Dem leadership has totally betrayed its principles and supporters. As someone who spent many hours over the decades protesting with Liberals and then Lib Dems against undemocratic policies I admire Ed Bauer for his action for democracy. I am ashamed of having been a party member for some years.
If a banner cannot be dropped across a bridge outside the security zone without a young man being arrested and refused bail it is not surprising that the country seems to be deteriorating into an establishment supported police state where bankers who ruin the economy go free to carry out more vandalism and a gentle. non party political young man is treated so disgracefully. Proud of you Ed - we need people like you.