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According to a recent article in The Friend, at least 400 are being prosecuted for failing to complete the 2011 census. We can safely assume that these won’t all be for conscientious refusal, but it is anecdotally a higher number than in previous censuses.
The story also mentions a worrying trend: summoning census resisters to courts not in their local area. One to watch.
Upcoming court dates:
Tue 17 Jan: Mandy Woods.
Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court
A single mother who was summoned to a court 40 miles from her home.
Tue 17-Wed 18 Jan: Sarah Ledsom, Derek and Andy
Liverpool Magistrates Court. Solidarity vigil and demo outside from 9.30am both days, with the possibility to watch proceedings from 10am.
All are being prosecuted for refusing to complete the 2011 census and all have cited weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin’s involvement in the census data processing among their reasons for refusal.
See our blog post Photos and court case update from the 8th December to see the last time they were in court.
Thu 26 Jan: Barbara Dowling of Glasgow.
Court 16, Sheriff Court of Glasgow and Strathkelvin, PO BOX 23, 1 Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9DA. (map)
In the words of EthicalCensus.org.uk, “Countless Scots have either failed to fill in their census forms or returned them partially completed or improved by critical comments, but have not been prosecuted. Barbara’s victimisation is inexplicable.”
Wed 1 Feb: John Voysey of Herefordshire
Wrexham Magistrates Court
John was a conscientious objector in 1947 and is now a conscientious census objector.
Thu 2 Feb (pre-trial): Deborah Glass Woodin
Reading Magistrates Court
Monday 14 May for her full hearing
Mon 6 Feb: John Marjoram
Bristol
A long-standing peace activist, plans to plead not guilty.
Thu 9 Feb: Judith Sambrook
Mold Magistrates Court
Wrexham Magistrates Court on Thursday 8 March for the trial.
Fri 2 Mar: Roger Grenville, Vicky and the man known as Marcus Hoo
Birmingham Magistrates Court, at 10am.
Info from NoCONcensus, Indymedia, and EthicalCensus. See some extra info on some of the defendants in our other blog post.
Countless Scots have either failed to fill in their census forms or returned them partially completed or improved by critical comments, but have not been prosecuted. Barbara’s victimisation is inexplicable.
As , an ex British soldier who served his country with honour and exemplary service I am shocked , angry and saddened at this disgraceful behaviour by The Government of Gt Britain to allow the freedoms of its peoples , that which I served to uphold , to be potentially infiltrated by those who profit from war .