According to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, what does obscene display in public refer to?

The reference to obscene display in public under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 addresses actions that are likely to cause outrage or alarm in members of the public due to their graphic or shocking nature. In the context of anti-abortion campaigners, their displays often include visually graphic content intended to provoke strong emotional responses, which can be classified as obscene under the law. Such displays may include images or language that are deemed offensive, thus fitting the criteria of an obscene display that might disturb the public peace.

Displays of public nudity outside of designated areas, while potentially provocative, do not necessarily fall under the category of obscenity as defined by the legislation, which primarily concerns materials that intend to shock or offend. Showing offensive slogans, although it can be disruptive or upsetting, must meet a higher threshold of being regarded generally as obscene. Similarly, the display of illegal substances is more closely associated with drug-related offenses rather than public order offenses pertaining to obscenity. Thus, the correct identification of anti-abortion campaigners’ displays aligns with the parameters set out by the Act regarding obscene public expressions.