Date: Wed, 07 Jun 1995 14:32:40 -0400 (Wed)
From: Gary Kendall <[g d k] at [mhis.BIX.com]>
To: [l--er--t] at [Dartmouth.EDU]
Subject: Illegal protest gather support

The Electronic Telegraph                         Monday 5 June 1995

    [The Front Page]
   
Illegal protests gather support

  BY SEAN O'NEILL
  
   ILLEGAL demonstrations against new motorways, nuclear power, and
   the export of live animals are attracting growing public support.
   
   A new survey shows that 68 per cent of people believe that there are
   times when protesters are justified in breaking the law. That is 14
   per cent higher than the last time a similar poll was taken in 1984.
   
   The research, conducted by Gallup last month, found approval of civil
   disobedience across the political spectrum and all classes. It
   suggests a growing disillusionment with the response of politicians
   and government to public opinion.
   
   The figures were welcomed yesterday by pressure groups whose tactics
   in recent years have ranged from commando raids on nuclear plants to
   mass sit-down protests to stop lorries carrying calves for export.
   
   Occupying buildings is approved of by 32 per cent of people, a 10
   point rise on the figure 11 years ago. Stopping traffic has the
   approval of a quarter of people, compared with 14 per cent in 1984.
   
   Just over half of Tory voters said there were times when people
   protesting against matters which they found very unjust could break
   the law. More than three-quarters of Labour voters and 70 per cent of
   Liberal Democrats agreed.
   
    Overwhelming opposition to violent protest
    
   There was consistent support for the idea of civil disobedience among
   working class and middle class people: 67 per cent of ABC1s and 68 per
   cent of DEs were in favour.
   
   Protesters who broke the law in disrupting motorway building have the
   support of 62 per cent of people (10 per cent up on 1984). Illegal
   demonstrations against the building of a nuclear power station would
   have the backing of 70 per cent (seven per cent more than 1984).
   
   But there was overwhelming opposition to violent protest and a marked
   reluctance to become involved in civil disobedience.
   
   Seventy-five per cent said they would never refuse to pay rent or
   taxes; 69 per cent would not join unofficial strikes; 69 per cent
   would never join a sit-in and 70 per cent would never block traffic.
   
   Only one per cent said they had or would break windows or remove road
   signs - actions liable to criminal damage charges. No one admitted
   using personal violence.
   
   Adam Woolf, spokesman for Greenpeace, which has had 100 of its members
   arrested in protests this year, said the survey reflected badly on
   government and the legal system.
   
   "I think people are losing faith in lobbying MPs or with consultation
   processes, because they don't seem to deliver the results that the
   majority of the people want."
   
   Mr Woolf said that while Greenpeace's actions were carried out by
   trained volunteers, more and more people were becoming involved in
   other protests that were often in breach of the law. Many of those who
   had committed public order offences in demonstrations at Shoreham,
   Brightlingsea and other ports against the live animal export trade had
   no previous criminal records.
   
   "I think this shows that Government isn't listening to the people,"
   said Joyce D'Silva, director of Compassion In World Farming.
   
   "If you ask people should the live export trade be stopped they say
   yes. But the Government hasn't taken that on board."