ENG "Called Cult a Cult" Megathread - News reports in OP

Hello Enturb, I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this in, I haven't used it much.

Anyway, I suppose I'd better fill in what happened for those who don't know.

I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: "Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult".

Within 5 minutes of arriving at QVS, I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use 'that word', and that the final decision would be made by the Inspector.

At around 11:15, while on the high ground of QVS, I was approached by these happy fellows:

YouTube - Anonymous Protests Scientology - London...

(:40)

I was read the Section 5 Public Order Act of 1986, and was told I was strongly advised to remove the sign. You can see my response in the video, as I read out Justice Latey's statement about the Cult of Scientology. I was given until 11:30 to remove the sign.

At around 12:05 the police caught up with me, I was given a Court Summons and my details were taken down. Videos will surface. My sign was removed:
http://www.britchan.org/i/src/12104398347.jpg

The reason I'm posting this is because I intend to fight this. I need your help, Enturbulation. I need precedents, legal advice, definitions and defences. I intend to make a big folder with all the defence you can give me, and in case this does get through to court, I will be well prepared.

Also, what's the likelihood I'll need a lawyer? If I do have to get one, it'll have to come out of my pocket money...

(Admin - thread title altered by admin and thread made a sticky)

ALL RELATED NEWS GOES HERE

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GUARDIAN THREAD OP:

[mod edit: digg the Guardian article here - Digg - Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult' ]


Fuck! An excellent article, thank you Guardian

Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
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DBPK:

PC Run Amok: UK Cops Bust Teen For Calling Scientology a Cult
has just been posted on Death By 1,000 Papercuts (DBKP) by LBG.

Quotes:

We wondered what Tom Cruise, producer, movie star, and the world’s most famous and vocal member of Scientology would say about police arresting people for calling his church a cult? Is his religion so fragile that a 15-yr-old boy, in a peaceful demonstration, now faces a fine or jail? Since when does a worldwide church with megabucks allow the U.K. police to act as their enforcers, effectively silencing its detractors? What does this say about the British government, who are protecting a “religion” and not the rights of its citizens to voice their opinions about a religion?

In order not to “offend” the British authorities have become the offensive, abusing their authority, turning people into criminals for exercising their right to free speech.

Only cults are afraid of criticism and are willing to punish people.

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TELEGRAPH:

here is the linky, they even have pictures. The snowball gets bigger. Remember, the London Telegraph ha sa talkback forum at the bottom of it's articles. Let em have it!

Boy faces court for Scientology placard - Telegraph
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DAILY MAIL

Teenager, 15, facing charges for holding a sign labelling Scientology 'a cult' | Mail Online

Man the serious harpoons! They have a comments section.
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BBC:

BBC (National UK Broadcaster): "Protest Teenager May Face Charges"
linky here :)

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Metro.co.uk - Teenager in trouble for calling Scn a cult

Teen in trouble for calling Scientology 'a cult' | Metro.co.uk

Sorry to hear you got a summons. I don't understand why you can't freely say Scientology is a Cult since, as far as I know, the C in CoS stands for Cult of Scientology.

What you need is some press to boot as well.

What day is your court summons?

And your img is verbotten as in can't see it if it's answered there.

Originally Posted by EpicNoseGuy

Hello Enturb, I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this in, I haven't used it much.

Anyway, I suppose I'd better fill in what happened for those who don't know.

I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: "Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult".

Within 5 minutes of arriving at QVS, I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use 'that word', and that the final decision would be made by the Inspector.

At around 11:15, while on the high ground of QVS, I was approached by these happy fellows: YouTube - Anonymous Protests Scientology - London - May 10th2008 (:40)

I was read the Section 5 Public Order Act of 1986, and was told I was strongly advised to remove the sign. You can see my response in the video, as I read out Justice Latey's statement about the Cult of Scientology. I was given until 11:30 to remove the sign.

At around 12:05 the police caught up with me, I was given a Court Summons and my details were taken down. Videos will surface. My sign was removed:
http://www.britchan.org/i/src/12104398347.jpg

The reason I'm posting this is because I intend to fight this. I need your help, Enturbulation. I need precedents, legal advice, definitions and defences. I intend to make a big folder with all the defence you can give me, and in case this does get through to court, I will be well prepared.

Also, what's the likelihood I'll need a lawyer? If I do have to get one, it'll have to come out of my pocket money...

You know what? I wasn't tongue in cheek when I said you should write Boris (for a start).

Originally Posted by Skeptic1337

What day is your court summons?

Could be a few weeks, could be a few months.

Originally Posted by Ebeneezer_Goode

You know what? I wasn't tongue in cheek when I said you should write Boris (for a start).

For serious?

Nice to see you posted it on Enturb bud, this should get some more awareness etc And get you the help that you deserve. Unfortunately i would habe no idea what advice to give you, although rest assured i will support you 100% of the way.

Common sense tells me that it has to get thrown out, there is no way that they would allow this...I mean, with the quote you read out..that should be more than enough.

Let's move this to a more open section of the forums to give this proper attention.

Eventhough it was advised from the start to not turn people into martyrs, you did so out of your own beliefs and it will be respected, you'll be helped no doubt.

BULLSHIT

If a Justice can say it in court, you can say it on the streets.

Moved to Breaking News for now, since there were a few requests for this.

That is absurd. I don't understand why the word cult is means for taking a sign down. Is there a list of unacceptable words for protest signs?

I wish I knew anything about law or anyone who knew anything about law.. unfortunately I don't. All I can do is wish you luck in your fight and spread the word.

You were extremely brave for standing your ground. It really moved me to hear on the video, "I'm not gonna take the sign down."

You've done nothing wrong and you clearly weren't the only one there calling the Co$ out as a cult. This just seems to be more of their scare tactics and underhandedness.

Continue being brave, and I hope you can find the proper support to fight this all the way. Thank you.

Fight it.

They cant ban words and they cant ban you writing that word on a sign and holding it. I say all the londoners at the next protest should all have CULT on their signs nothing else.

Write to Boris, write to the newspapers. And when you do go to court i am sure there will be a couple of hundred anonymous outside protesting. I know I will make the journey from devon up there in support.

Use the same quote you used in the vid as evidence. And use many more.

They cant ban words - even in the UK. CONTACT THE MEDIA< they will EAT IT!

ENG, glad to see that you're on the friendly neighbourhood enturb.

This is a bullshit case, don't be concerned, there's lots and lots of precident to calling COS a cult, let's keep it simple:

Get 50 news articles about Scientology, 40 will call it a cult or a sect.

Get the full ruling of Justice Latey

Get a dictionary.


You're good bro, this won't be a risk to you and it'll be over pretty quickly, and for the hassle you go through you'll set a lot of precident, thanks for having the BIG STEEL BALLS to stick to your convictions (albeit a bit silly to force the issue)


Listen to the video, the cop actually agrees with you, but she had her orders.

A quick note to say that you are entitled to a solicitor to represent you, and you can probably get legal aid.

Testing eligibility for criminal legal aid

In magistrates’ courts, legal aid can be granted to defendants who could be imprisoned.

Defendants need to pass a financial means test. Some people automatically pass this test:

* those who are under the age of 16
* people aged 16 or 17 with no income and living with their parent or guardian
* people under 18 and in full-time education
* those on unemployment benefits.

There is no financial means test for cases heard in the Crown and higher courts.

Legal aid can be granted to all defendants. The court can issue an order to recover legal aid costs if they believe a defendant could have paid for their own defence.

Read more on the Criminal legal aid eligibility pages.

You can read more about that here: LSC Website : Can I get legal aid?

Do go and see if you are eligible for legal aid and find a solicitor to represent you if you are. Most solicitors will give you an hours worth of free advice and give you the test for legal aid eligibility if you wish further representation from them.

If you don't want to seek a solicitor right away, you can wait and see the duty solicitor on the day you go to court. This is not as good as getting one beforehand, as the duty solicitor will only get the details of the case on the day and will have limited time to read through them. This usually leads to continuance for more time to read the files and prepare a defence, meaning you have to go to court more than once - although this could be the case anyway, depending on what happens.

You may also be sent to the probation services so that they may prepare a report on what they think a likely punishment should be if you are found guilty. This will include recommandations about whether or not you should serve prison time, have a period of probation, or do some community service.

Do the most powerful thing you can do. Bring it to the public... contact a reporter... let them know what is happening, hopefully they will write a article. We find it outrageous... I think many in the public will to. Get it in the public forum... even if you lose in the legal forum