John Mcdonnell MP - UK establishment using police to crush our resistance
Video of pre-crime arrest victim Charlie Veitch speaking out
Over 300 people packed into a hot room at Friends Meeting House to debate attacks on the right to protest. There was sense of outrage and deep concern at such widespread tactics of intimidation and harassment used by police and a feeling that police behavior is seriously threatening people’s ability and confidence in their right to protest.
Steve spoke of UK Uncut’s attempt to mobilise people who hadn’t protested before through through fun and creative events. He described police making vexatious arrests and acting ‘as private security staff’.
Sarah McSherry, solicitor, acting for arrested demonstrators and defending Republic’s right to hold a street party, warned that the publication of photographs of wanted protesters could breach privacy laws. Kettling risks life and limb whereas it is the duty of police to enable the right to protest.
John McDonnell MP described how government fears of protest had handed extraordinary powers to the police and spoke of the need for solidarity with those arrested and charged.
Entering the theatre of the absurd, we heard of the arrest of Professor Chris Knight for attempted street theatre on the day of the royal wedding when it took twenty officers to search a van. The Zombies spoke of their arrest by 16 officers for ‘wearing face paint’ and ‘fancy dress’.
In Stokes Croft, Bristol, police provoked a good humoured crowd with a display of shock and awe, wielding batons to clear a squat and in the process provoking a riot.
Journalist Laurie Penny revealed the hostility she encountered in her attempts to counter a standard story of ‘protester violence’. Charlie Veitch described the peaceful tactics of anarchists and announced that his youtube channel was ranked above the Royal wedding channel.
Jim Wolfreys saw the serious implications of absurd police interventions; policies designed for the ‘war on terror’ or by occupying forces in Northern Ireland were being normalised and turned against domestic protest.
The meeting resolved to support all protesters, resisting attempts to isolate, divide and criminalise. Plans include:
- a show of support for Fortnum & Masons occupiers and other protesters on Monday at 9am outside Westminster Magistrates Court
- a public meeting in the run up to June 9 when many of those arrested have been recalled
- a demonstration outside New Scotland Yard to contest the role of the police.
What can you do?
- Monday 9 May, 9am, Westminster City Court, 70 Horseferry Road. Show support for the Fortnum and Masons defendants and others arrested on March 26 and during the student protests.
- Encourage people to sign up to the national petition and circulate the petitions for Alfie Meadows and Bryan Simpson.
- Build support the campaign. Invite a defend the right to protest speaker to speak at your trade union or student union, campaign group or organisation. Pass the motion in support of the campaign.
- Contact us with ideas for future actions, or to let us know about any support you can give whether its web and press skills or just hours to dedicate to the campaign.
- If you have been arrested or witness to arrests or violent behaviour by the police please get in touch confidentially on info@defendtherighttoprotest.org Send us your footage and accounts.
“Contact us with ideas for future actions, or to let us know about any support you can give whether its web and press skills or just hours to dedicate to the campaign”.
I’ve been a professional working photographer for thirty years. Documented the movement for the last seven or eight years, plus editing and curating - see http://www.minimouse.me.uk/exhibition/1.html
Always happy to help out.