SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 09/06/05
SSP: Democracy for sale and only the rich can afford it
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Frances Curran today said that people wanting
to protest about the fact that the poor of the world didn't have enough
money were being prevented from doing so because they didn't have enough
money.
Speaking after the meeting of Perth and Kinross Council that put a
precondition of £5 million liability insurance that will cost G8
Alternatives up to £30,000, Frances accused the authorities of placing every
possible obstacle in the way of those who wished to exercise their
democratic right to protest against the policies of the G8.
Frances said;
"This is a travesty, a threat to the democratic rights of the people of this
country; it means that democracy is for sale.
"In a civic society it is right that councils and the government waive any
financial constraints on protestors taking action.
"Children in Africa are dying because they don't have enough money to buy
food and we can't protest about it because we don't have enough money for
the liability insurance.
"I'm absolutely appalled.
"In theory we've got the right to protest but they keep putting obstacles in
our way.
"The right to freedom of assembly, of the right to demonstrate and protest
clearly comes at a price.
"Democracy is for sale and it looks like only the rich can afford it."
[ends]
