Join us outside their court hearing!
Monday 9 May, 9am
City of Westminster Magistrates Court
70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2
On 26 March, around 140 people were arrested and detained for taking part in the occupation of Fortnum & Mason to highlight tax avoidance. Their protest was peaceful, as documented by eyewitness reports and video footage. They were told by police that they were free to leave – but as soon as the protestors left the building they were arrested. The occupiers now face charges of aggravated trespass and the possibility of a prison sentence.
The Fortnum and Mason arrests are part of a much wider project that threatens the right to protest. The student demonstrations of November and December were regularly kettled and charged by mounted officers or uniformed thugs wielding batons and shields. Tahmeena Bax and Alfie Meadows were peaceful protestors hospitalised by police. Alfie now faces charges of violent disorder – unlike the officers responsible for the brain haemorrhage that nearly killed him.
Faced with unprecedented cuts that threaten to decimate the welfare state, now more than ever we must defend and assert our right to protest.
On Monday 9 May join us outside the court hearing of Fortnum & Mason occupiers as well as others arrested on March 26 and the student demonstrations. We aim to defend the protesters facing charges and to remind the government and the police that we can and will exercise our protest without fear of arrest or intimidation.
Join the event on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117219988359477
Flyer to download and print: http://www.defendtherighttoprotest.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/fnm_flyer.pdf
But can everyone there be really sensitive and aware with banners, media messages, messages to defendants arrested etc. on the day. There are many people in court on that day, and over the following days who were arrested on March 26th (and on student protests), that were NOT arrested in Fortnum and Mason and surely they should also be fully supported.
Some of them may appreciate the media and other attention outside court, others may not, I would imagine it might be similar with some of the F&M defendants as well.
My hearing is on the 11th. Does anyone know if there are other trials going on on the same day?