BPS Advisory: Permits For ‘Public Processions’

February 8, 2016

Saying they support the rights of all residents to peacefully protest, the police said they “would like to encourage all groups wishing to form public processions of the Bermuda laws that govern such activities,” noting that those wishing to march on a public street should make an application at least three days in advance to obtain a permit.

A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service supports the rights of all Bermuda Residents to free speech and the right to gather and peacefully protest.

“These rights do of course come with some responsibilities and the Police Service would like to encourage all groups wishing to form public processions of the Bermuda laws that govern such activities.

“The Public Order Act of 1963 makes the requirement of those wishing to march on a public street that they make an application to the office of the Deputy Governor at least three [3] days in advance to obtain a permit.

“Where a permit has been granted, all directions or instructions therein must be adhered to by persons taking part in the parade/procession. This will include all directions given by a police officer.

“Where persons are gathered in furtherance of exercising their free speech they are cautioned that should do so in a manner that does not impinge on the free speech or freedom of movement of others nor constitute behaviour likely to cause a Breach of the Peace. .

“An early application to the Deputy Governor’s office is encouraged in order that proper arrangements can be made for both the security of those taking part as well as traffic control.

“All applicants are also encouraged to make contact with the Bermuda Police Service Operational Planning Officer who can assist in making a successful application to the Deputy Governor’s office.

“The BPS Operational Planning Officer can be reached at 2471362 or via the switchboard at 2950011.”

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Comments (9)

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  1. San George says:

    Read the Constitution people – you have the right to assemble. No law is superior to the Constitution. Arbitrary use of power with disregard for the law is tyranny.

    • serengeti says:

      Under the constitution the government (and has) can pass laws which are reasonable required to preserve “defense, public safety, public order”, and similar.

      • planeasday says:

        “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
        ― Samuel Adams

        I think you should ponder the above and below for a moment “Serengeti” and “Pay attention”…

        And speaking to your preservation of “defense, public safety, public order” A great man once said “the defense against all manners of danger has ALWAYS been the instruments of tyranny at home.”

        The potential tyranny lies in the act of having to apply for a permit to peacefully assemble. The constitutional right of the citizenry is now in the hands of an “authority” who gets to decide yes or no…sounds EXACTLY like the work of tyrants to me…

        Interesting how this public Order Act of 1963 came at a time when many (lets cut to the chase here okay) black Bermudians grew weary of the institutionalized oppression present at the time and began to be vocal about it. The regime at the time sought, obviously, to stymie any forward progress the “trouble makers” may have been making.

        So is it not obvious that a days after a major political player calls for civil disobedience (and NOWHERE in the words civil or disobedience should violence be assumed) the cards of the would be oppressors are quickly shown?

    • Pay attention says:

      What they are trying to get across is that you DO NOT have any right to disrupt others who are being productive and going about their daily routines. There is no tyranny suggested except by you.

  2. Family Man says:

    The above laws do not however apply to the BIU who are free to march as, when and where they see fit.

    • planeasday says:

      Prominent PLP member calls for civil disobedience and this “reminder” of our rights is conveniently…very timely put to print. When the shoe is on the other foot Red Team and policies that you do not agree with (are proposed or shoved down your throat) remember the same rules apply to you…

  3. Vulcan Trash Cleaner says:

    the biu and plp and others associated with the plp wont pay a blind bit of notice to the BPS and the day the BPS does arrest anyone from these groups for marching without a permit riots will break out!

  4. Legalgal says:

    But Traffic laws apply too.

  5. Y-Gurl says:

    We live in a Police state including the militarization of some of them…and yet they do what they want, isn’t that an imbalance