Parliament must amplify law on demonstrations and protests

On October 1, it was reported how NASA supporters held demos in New York City. The demonstrations were organised by Amnesty International. The video showed about 20 people some holding placards but all standing at a designated spot at the 47th and 1st Avenue between 11.30am and 1.30pm. The organisers had to buy a hefty insurance policy for the permit. This is the main reason I have penned this article.

Just like in other areas, we have borrowed heavily from the US on matters that touch on democracy and human rights. But when it got to demonstrations, protests and picketing we appear to have given the limitations to the Second Amendment a wide berth. We are suffering from that oversight and will continue to suffer until we wake up to the fact that enjoyment of rights has responsibility tagged on. Already, business entities in all our cities and towns are appealing for designated places for demonstrations, protests and picketing.