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86.
DEMONSTRATE AGAINST A CRIMINAL TRESPASS LAW.
A poster printed by the Paddington Workshop for the Campaign Against a Criminal Trespass Law announcing a demonstration and rally in Trafalgar Square, February 28th (1976). Silkscreen in red and black on white stock. 50.5x76cm.
Illustrated with a large image of a demonic judge moving houses like monopoly board pieces above two imposing court buildings.
Text reads: “The Law Commission’s proposals for a Criminal Trespass Law will soon be before Parliament. They want to make it illegal for any of us to take direct action however peaceful. This law threatens - Occupations (at work; at college), Pickets (at work; in the community). Squatting, Rent Strikes, Demonstrations”.
Designed to make squatting a criminal rather than civil offence, the law was enacted in 1977, and the economic, social and housing policies pursued by Thatcher and the Tories between 1979-1997 exacerbated the homelessness situation. New Labour under Blair restricted freedom of expression and the right to protest under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act of 2005, and State repression has increased further under the Tories.
Light creasing to extremities.
