ABSTRACT
In an era of rising protests, social unrest and political discontent, especially over climate change, war dangers, austerity measures and social inequality, the right to protest is increasingly prominent, controversial and subject to government reaction.
This book seeks to examine the critical historical, social, political, ethical and legal issues raised by the basic democratic right to protest and the legislative and executive measures being taken by governments to restrict it.
These measures are examined with a focus on three countries with an English legal heritage: the United States, Britain and Australia. These states are frequently held up as models of liberal democracies, respecting core legal and democratic rights. However, an examination shows that they have adopted far-reaching anti-protest laws that more resemble measures taken by police states.
