IN yesterday’s edition, we took some time to explain how unprogressive the Public Gatherings Bill is and how it has made the situation worse when it comes to people’s freedoms. The Christine Mulundika case settled a very important principle in our constitutional history: citizens do not need police permission to enjoy their right to assemble; they only need to notify police so that law enforcement can facilitate public safety. The abuse came because the police converted notification into permission. They treated citizens as applicants begging for liberty. The job of reform was therefore very simple: remove ambiguity, reduce discretion, punish police abuse, and protect citizens’ rights. This Bill does not do that sufficiently. It still gives police excessive room to...