terrorist anglers???

[mark]

story on radio 4 yesterday.

2 anglers have been detained under the anti terrorist laws for fishing seaforth docks in liverpool.

didn\'t give a massive amount of detail, but port authority wanted them out so decided that was the easiest bit of legislation to use to have em removed, and possibly get all there gear confiscated.

bit heavy handed me thinks.

proof were it needed of Blunketts fascist tendancy!

one spokesman was quoted as saying that this piece of particualr legislation is quite neat in that it allows for the arrest of any person, anywhere and at anytime without the need for just cause or suspicion and they can be detained indefinately at blunketts discretion. Don\'t know if these 2 lads have been realeased yet but they were certainly detained for at least one night

[DaveMason]

I seen that Mark , and it reminded me of the discussions on here about identity cards and loss of civil liberties and all that . To the lads who said it could not happen in this country - it has

The most upsetting part of it all is , under the disguise of terror laws , the goverment have done exactly as they please and no one has said boo . While we are the subject , of the 600 suspects held under the new \"Laws\" , not one has been charged . Why\'s that ??

[bigdavewsf]

the 2 lads steve and dave are due to appear in court on thursday 11th november, theres going to be a show of support from many of the local lads that can make it, its been on tv, radio and the press.these lads are standing up for all of us who used to fish the best marks on the mersey. everybody else it seems is still alowed free accsess without question to the docks exept us anglers and birdwatchers.

more details can be found here http://wsfsouth.co.uk/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1615&postdays=0&postorder=asc&star t=0

and here http://www.castandcatch.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2731


good luck to them both as they are both prepared to go to prison to get our voices heard



[Edited on 6/11/2004 by bigdavewsf]

[mark]

I\'ll wager Ell\'s testicles (hedging me bets there) on the fact that you\'ll not see the same legislation being used against the pro hunt lot when they throw their next protest or decide to ignore the ban (if it ever appens)

we can only hope that the magitrate they end up in front of sees sense and dismissed the case. I\'m amazed the cps are even gonna try this one

[willywetegg]

Absolutely disgusting.

Jim.

[bigdavewsf]

and the powers that be wonder why the common man in the street is losing confidance with the police and the laws its meant to be upholding,since the implementation of this ruling a mate of mine has been on to the docks a couple of times a week through work and has not once been stopped by the police on the gate, the whole situation is a farce

[bigdavewsf]

theres a letter been formulated to send to the chief of the mersey dock and harbour board the link can be found here http://wsfsouth.co.uk/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1687

we would all be gratefull if you could support us by forwarding it on to mr letharbarrow

[mark]

will do and also have circulated the above link on a few other forums

[bigh]

The 2 guys concerned appeared in court this morning and the case has been adjourned until 9/ 12 2004. This gives a little more time to drum up support from anglers like yourselves from all over the country. Remember, if it can happen in one place, there is nothing to stop it happening in another (YOUR place??).
There is an on-line petition, which I have signed and I would urge as many of you as possible to do the same.

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

\"The Sea is Free \"

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/docks/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider
signing yourself.

Best wishes,

Harry Cooper

[mark]

now I do not condone what the port authority have done in any way, but I was thinking on the way back (from liverpool today as it happens) I wonder if there is a depper story here. From what was said on radio 4, this arguement goes back a long way and theytried to invoke the same old by-law 20 odd years ago.

what I was thinking is, was there a reason for them to be so heavy handed. Lets say, hypothetically, that along the dock walls there has been a continued build up of litter, discarded line baits etc (sound familiar??) and they just got fed up with it??

If that is the case there\'s a fairly salutory warning to all the eejits who dump there **** all over shields pier.

Not saying for a minute that that is the case, but its worth thinking about. If a precedent is set there, it might be us next if there is no respect shown for someone elses property

[Marc]

Any news on what happened down in Liverpool today, It was today they were up infront of the judge wasn\'t it.

[willywetegg]

Nothing on there website yet marc mate. Will keep checking.

Jim.

[willywetegg]

Adjourned till 1st February.

Jim.