Protest bill like Special Powers: McCann

The People Before Profit activist said the alliance been inundated with support for the idea of a civil rights march in Londonderry next October if the Sinn Fin/DUP Public Assemblies bill hasn't been withdrawn by then.

"The bill would impose severe limitations of public gatherings and protests of all kinds. It brings us back to the days of the Special Powers Act," he argued.

Neither Sinn Fin nor the DUP has provided any explanation whatsoever of why they decided in private to extend the scope of a bill which was supposed to focus only on contentious parades.

"The bill the two parties have produced covers not only parades but all public meetings of 50 or more people.

"Any police officer will have the power without a warrant to arrest anyone he or she suspects of being in breach of the measure. A sentence of up to six months and a fine of 5,000 could follow," he added.

Speaking after a picket this afternoon at the Guildhall marking the closure of a period of public consultation on the bill he said trades unions, community organisations, and anti-war and anti-racist campaigns would all be severely hampered by the legislation.

"The Bill would curb the ability of communities and workers to resist the coming cuts. Many suspect this is the real reason behind it.

"People Before Profit again urged supporters of Sinn Fin and the DUP to tell their MLAs that this type of repressive law is unacceptable and should be taken off the table.

"If the Bill is still in position after the long Stormont break, People Before Profit will begin preparation for the march - which we are confident will attract support from around the North - possibility beginning at the DUP office and marching to Sinn Fin's headquarters in the Bogside for a rally."