Today is Constitution Day in Denmark. We celebrate it every year on 5th June with speeches and events around the country.The constitution was signed on 5th June 1859 by then absolute ruler, Frederik VII. Hereby creating the limited Monarchy we know today - with the Danish Parliament as the legislative assembly, and reducing the monarch to a more or less ceremonial figure.
One of the events took place in the Copenhagen park of Ørstedsparken. The event was arranged by the association of Forældre mod Politibrutalitet (parents against police brutality). It was founded in 2006 after an anti-nazi demonstration that got out of hand with conflicting groups. The members had many other examples of misplaced use of brutality by the police within the past years - latest during the World Business Summit on Climate Change in Bella Center end of May. Therefore, the association presented its main speaker, lawyer Michael Bjørn Hansen, from the law firm of Christian Harlang, specialized in civil rights cases. He spoke up for the right to demonstrate. And against the brutality of the metods used by the police in dealing with demonstrations of various kinds.
One point he made - on this Constitution Day - was that there is actually no demand in the Constitution for the prior announcement to the authorities (police and others) before a demonstration. This is merely a practical arrangement in order to control the potential negative side effects of demonstrations - if they get out of hand. Actually, he pointed out, demonstration is a civil freedom right. Delivering the paradox of the day: the Constitution and the laws of the country should protect demonstrations - rather than control them. Since demonstrations are often the only measure to voice opinions for the week in society. He harvested many cheers and applauses for his help to the association. Which he in turn returned with thanks to the association for gathering examples and cases.