Which actions are illegal at a protest?

You may not:

• Block access to sidewalks or buildings.
• March in the streets without a permit.
• Disrupt counter-protests.
• Engage in speech that is obscene, makes knowingly false statements of fact, or that is likely to incite an immediate disruptive or dangerous disturbance.

What will you do if someone is damaging a public property near you explain it?

Immediate register an FIR; identification person/s or group by the local body or public corporation — whoever is the owner of the property; filing of a claim for realisation of such amount from the political parties/persons before the competent authority nominated by the state – the entire procedure was laid down by it …

Do you need permission to protest?

Do I need a permit? You don’t need a permit to march in the streets or on sidewalks, as long as marchers don’t obstruct car or pedestrian traffic. If you don’t have a permit, police officers can ask you to move to the side of a street or sidewalk to let others pass or for safety reasons.

Is it a crime to damage public property?

3. Mischief causing damage to public property. ––(1) Whoever commits mischief by doing any act in respect of any public property, other than public property of the nature referred to in sub-section (2) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine.

Should we respect public property?

Answer: We should protect public property because it has public ownership and is built for the public welfare. It is a part of the country’s infrastructure, and is collectively owned by the nation. This infrastructure is developed by the taxes collected and are symbolic of the country’s development.

What is the law on destruction of property during a protest?

Despite a law against the destruction of property, incidents of rioting, vandalism, and arson have been common during protests across the country. The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 punishes anyone “who commits mischief by doing any act in respect of any public property” with a jail term of up to five years and a fine or both.

Do protesters ‘total’ their own support?

Any group of protesters — firefighters or students — who resort to trashing buildings as an acceptable, routine tactic are more likely to ‘total’ their own public support than make a dent in the religion of private property that we live under.

What are the Supreme Court guidelines on destruction of public property?

In 2009, in the case of In Re: Destruction of Public & Private Properties v State of AP and Ors, the Supreme Court issued guidelines based on the recommendations of the two expert Committees. The Thomas Committee recommended reversing the burden of proof against protesters.

Should activists be allowed to damage property?

Nobody is saying that activists should be as destructive as possible to all property in sight. But as part of a movement that has tremendous moral force and faces targets who care more for property than for people, property damage has a proven track record of effectiveness in bringing about justice that would otherwise be denied.