Police issue advice ahead of online calls for protests at various locations across Northern Ireland this weekend and next week.
Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “We are aware of posters online calling for further protests at various locations across Northern Ireland this weekend and next week. Preparations for a policing response are underway to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.
“The right to freedom of speech and freedom assembly are fundamental human rights. They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest. However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.
“Those considering protests involving vehicles should be aware that all motorists have to consider other road users , particularly critical blue light or transport services. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is required to balance the rights of all members of the public. This is particularly acute where processions, or protests, may have an impact on critical road users such as blue light services or on significant transport hubs such as airports and railway and bus stations.
We will continue to police these protests with the ‘Four Es’ approach of engage, explain, encourage and, where we assess in the context of an individual incident that having had regard to all competing rights, enforcement if necessary. Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued to a motorist the recipient has the option to contest the matter in a court. Those organising public processions involving vehicles must also comply with the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 and the Parades Commission code of conduct.”
Further protest and civil disobedience advice is available on the Police Service of Northern Ireland website - Protest and Civil Disobedience | Police Service of Northern Ireland