Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to gather in Parliament Square next Thursday to take part in a unique protest. The subject: absolutely anything. Opponents of war, fur, fees, developing world debt - whatever - will come together for what has been called a “mass lone demonstration” by its organisers.

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Update: This from Mark Thomas’ email list:

‘[T]he more eagle eyed amongst you might have noticed the Guardian on Thursday and an article that mentioned the Mass Lone Demos. For those that have not followed the story so far , here it is…. the government introduce the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, in which they make it a legal requirement for any protest in Parliament Sq and its environs to get prior approval or licenced from the police 6 days in advance. As this includes individual demonstrators (who only need have a banner or a badge in Parliament Square to warrant being classified as a demonstration) I came up with an idea. What happens when a whole load of individual demonstrators turn up to get licences from the police at the same time? Can we turn compliance into defiance? Will the police grant licences fro us? Can we turn it into a regular event that throws the stupidity of the law back at those who have to police it?

‘Well this Thursday night we had over 100 people turn up to get their individual protest application forms into the police at Charing Cross police Station in London. At least 30 forms were handed in on other peoples behalf as well. So we estimate about 100-150 people have applied to come and have a Mass Lone Protest in PArliament Square on the 31st of August 6-7 pm. Anyone who missed this and wants to join in still can.

‘All you have to do is fill the form in and hand it in to Charing Cross police Station anytime Friday the 25th.’