Our THURSDAY DISCUSSION SERIES has been very badly affected by gossip or innuendo that suggests that The Book Cafe has been "banned" etc.. etc.. The truth is sadly that political discussions are now regarded under the new law as "public gatherings" requiring ZRP permission. We have resolved to continue because a 5-year tradition of free and open democratic discussion is too important to abandon, at probably the most critical juncture. Where discussions have a political content we will obtain permission. Otherwise we continue as normal. We have taken all reasonable steps to protect ourselves and our patrons from any trouble. We are perfectly aware that the new law represents, in practice, a form of suppression of freedoms of speech and assembly. We hope that you may share our conviction that democacy is an elusive right unless it is practiced. That there is NO option BUT to continue to exercise the right of a community to discuss matters which concern their lives, even under exceptionally difficult circumstances.