The next few months sees many students and other protesters in court. Defend the Right to Protest will be organising various events and actions, including protests, letters, petitions, socials and setting up a new lecturers’ network so that students have point of contact if they are hurt or arrested on protests in the future. If you are a lecturer, teacher or work at a university or college and would like to be a point of contact for students at your institution, please email ninapower[at]gmail.com
At the moment, the trial is underway of two brothers accused of pulling an officer from his horse (details here). The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
As the recent ruling on the riot appeals makes clear, incredibly harsh sentences are being handed out for anyone deemed to be part of a “public order” situation. This clearly has implications for protesters and anyone out on the streets. As the Dale Farm eviction demonstrated today, where 23 people have been arrested and several people tasered, the police, acting with the backing of the government, are treating anyone that gets in their way with impunity, whether it be protester, rioter or resident.
The police, the courts and the government may be handing out deterrent sentencing and behaving violently, but people are still coming out to protest in massive numbers, as #Occupylsx demonstrates.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Defend the right to protest - by protesting! Help build for the student protest on the 9th and the strike on the 30th Nov. If you are attending future protests let us know if you are able to help the DTRTP distribute information about the campaign and the “bust card” which ensures that people know their rights in case of arrest.
2. Sign the petition and contact the campaign on info@defendtherighttoprotest.org
3. “I am Spartacus” Protest 10th November, Westminster City Court!
The Fortnum and Masons trial starts on the 10th November. Join the protest at Westminster City court - more information to follow.
4. 10th November Fortnum & Masons 145 & Defend the Right to Protest social event
LSE SU, Houghton Street - More information to follow
5. Join the university and college staff network
We have launched a network for university and college staff who want to support their students – those arrested, and those who will be protesting in the future. For more information see: http://infinitethought.cinestatic.com/index.php/site/index/lecturers_defending_students/ To get involved email Nina Power at ninapower@gmail.com
6. Solidarity! Do what you can to raise awareness about the attacks on protesters and the DTRTP campaign.
-Raise the motion in support of the campaign in your student/ trade union: http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/about/
-Invite a representative from DTRTP or one of the defendants campaigns to come and speak at any events you organising- email us at info@defendtherightoprotest.org
-Make a donation if you can!
7. Support imprisoned protesters – Write to them and “Twin” with them.
For information about how to write to protesters who have been imprisoned go to:
http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/prisoner-support/
We will shortly be launching a twinning campaign encouraging student and trade unions to “twin” with an imprisoned protester in which they undertake to support that protester . This could include raising awareness about their case, campaigning for their release, supporting their appeals, supporting them whilst they are in prison and doing what we can to provide support when they come out.
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