Civil Disobedience

Before you begin, take note:

• Everyone has the right to freedom of expression - Article 10
  This means that there is freedom of speech (e.g. banners, leaflets, slogans etc.)
• Everyone has the right to freedom of assembly - Article 11
  This creates the right to protest, picket, hold a sit-in, demonstrate and march, in both public and private areas (in Steel and Others v UK the European Court ruled that it was a breach of Article 11 to remove 3 protestors from outside an arms fair in London). The purpose of the assembly is irrelevant; the only limitation is that there must be peaceful intent (even if disorder results). Article 11 also confers the right to hold meetings, marches and demonstrations on the public highway. This was confirmed in Anderson and Others v UK, which distinguished protesting from hanging out just for social purposes.