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“you guys know all about 1968…Billy club to the fucking skull…we’ll beat your white ass…We’ll come look for you, each and every one of you.” – Chicago Police Officers – May 2012

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What happened in 1968?

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Detained protesters accused of Chicago terror plot

May 19, 2012

CHICAGO  — Prosecutors on Saturday accused three activists who travelled to Chicago for a NATO summit of manufacturing Molotov cocktails in a plot to attack President Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s home and other targets. But defense lawyers shot back that Chicago police had trumped up the charges to frighten peaceful protesters away, telling the judge it was undercover officers known by the activists as “Mo” and “Gloves,” not his clients, who brought the firebombs to a South Side apartment where the men were arrested. “This is just propaganda to create a climate of fear,” Michael Duetsch said. “My clients came to peacefully protest.” On the eve of the summit, the dramatic allegations were reminiscent of previous police actions ahead of major political events, when officials moved quickly to prevent suspected plots but sometimes quietly dropped the charges later.

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Prosecutors said the men were self-described anarchists and told a crowded courtroom that they intended to create mayhem in Chicago. A state’s attorney cited one of three men boasting weeks earlier about the damage they would do in Chicago. “After NATO, the city will never be the same,” he quoted the man as saying. At one point, one of the men asked the others if they had ever seen a “cop on fire.” Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy dismissed the idea there was anything more to the arrests than police responding to “an imminent threat.” “When someone was in the position (of having) Molotov cocktails — that’s pretty imminent,” he said. “It was not a completed investigation.” The suspects are Brian Church, 20, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Jared Chase, 24, of Keene, N.H.; and, Brent Vincent Betterly, 24, of Oakland Park, Fla.

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If convicted on all counts — conspiracy to commit terrorism, material support for terrorism and possession of explosives — the men could receive up to 85 years in prison. Later, outside the courtroom, Duetsch said the two undercover police officers or informants were also arrested during the Wednesday raid, and defense attorneys said they later lost track of the two. “We believe this is all a setup and entrapment to the highest degree,” Duetsch said. The suspects were each being held on $1.5 million bond. Six others arrested Wednesday in the raid were released Friday without being charged. They apparently came to Chicago late last month to take part in May Day protests. Relatives and acquaintances said the men were wanderers who bounced around as part of the Occupy movement and had driven together from Florida to Chicago, staying with other activists.

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Court records indicated no prior violent behavior. Longtime observers of police tactics say the operation seemed similar to those conducted by authorities in other cities before similarly high-profile events. For instance, prior to the Republican National Convention in 2008 in St. Paul, Minn., prosecutors charged eight activists who were organizing mass protests with committing crimes “in further of terrorism” after investigators said they recovered equipment for Molotov cocktails, slingshots with marbles and other items that could have injured police.

Source = http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/76517.html#ixzz1vLGYl7Ja

Click image to enlarge

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NLG Opposes “Terrorism” Charges Against Occupy Activists

PRESS RELEASE
Chicago Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
For Immediate Release: May 19, 2012

National Lawyers Guild Decries Terrorism Charges Against Occupy Activists protesting NATO Summit
Preemptive raids and conspiracy charges are common characteristics of National Special Security Events

Chicago, IL — After holding NATO protesters for up to 48 hours, and releasing 6 out of 9 arrestees without any charges, the City of Chicago filed state charges last night against 3 Occupy activists from Florida, including possession of explosives or incendiary devices, material support for terrorism, and conspiracy. On Wednesday night at approximately 11:30pm, police raided a house in the Bridgeport neighborhood, detained several people in multiple apartments, and arrested 9 activists. Police broke down doors with guns drawn and searched residences without a warrant or consent.

“The National Lawyers Guild deplores the charges against Occupy activists in the strongest degree,” said Sarah Gelsomino with the NLG and the People’s Law Office. “It’s outrageous for the city to apply terrorism charges when it’s the police who have been terrorizing activists and threatening their right to protest.”

NLG attorneys are questioning why it took the city 48 hours, the limit on holding arrestees without a court hearing, to impose such serious charges. Although some accusations of Molotov cocktails have been made by police, they have provided no evidence of criminal intent or wrongdoing on the part of the activists. On Thursday, when asked about the raid at a press conference, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy knew so little about the alleged terrorism investigation that he said he would have to gather further information before commenting.

The 3 activists charged are Jared Chase, Brent Beterly, and Brian Jacob Church. Last week, all three defendants were surrounded by several police squad cars outside of a CVS, detained for no apparent reason and asked questions about why they were in Chicago and what they planned to do during the NATO summit. One of the defendants recorded the encounter and posted an edited version on YouTube. When Superintendent McCarthy questioned the validity of the footage in the media, the entire video was quickly posted.

More than 20 people have been arrested so far in the lead up to the NATO summit, which begins tomorrow. At least 3 arrestees in addition to the ones charged tonight are still in custody. “Preemptive raids meant to intimidate and stifle dissent are all too common during National Special Security Events, such as the NATO summit,” said Gelsomino.

NLG attorneys will be representing the 3 defendants in their criminal cases and will be at their bond hearing tomorrow at 12pm at 2600 South California Ave.

Source = http://nlgchicago.org/blog/nlg-decries-occupy-terrorism-charges-nato-chicago

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Overturned room at Bridgeport apartment raided by CPD on 5/16. Activists protesting the NATO summit were staying in the home.

Home brewing equipment in Bridgeport apartment illegally raided by CPD on 5/16. Activists protesting the NATO summit were staying in the home.

Broken door jamb in Bridgeport apartment illegally raided by CPD on 5/16. Activists protesting the NATO summit were staying in the home.

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NATO Blog: Some protesters detained as evening march snakes through Loop

As President Barack Obama and NATO leaders headed into Chicago this evening, demonstrators marched through the Loop for hours and sometimes scuffled with police officers. Several protesters were detained in the first serious confrontation of the day.  Earliler, demonstrators spent the middle of the day outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s house protesting cuts in health care. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived at Wrigley Field but did not sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” After a night of marching, chanting and testing the patience of Chicago police in the Loop, the last remnants of anti-NATO protesters slipped away into the night. There were repeated scrums with police whenever the front of the roughly 1,000-strong crowd tried to push past police, who kept them circling in the general vicinity of the Loop for hours. Some of the clashes resulted in arrests and detentions, but Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said there were only about half a dozen arrests.

The crowd remained largely peaceful and there were no reports of major damage. Police likewise accomplished a goal of keeping protesters south of the Chicago River downtown and away from the glizty Michigan Avenue retail district, where many NATO dignitaries are staying. The last big group of protesters headed into Greektown late tonight, but eventually lost gas as police relaxed their presence accordingly. The group’s energy ebbed and flowed in the last couple hours of the march, and it “officially” dispersed at Occupy headquarters in a W. Cermak warehouse. Relations between police and protesters also went back and forth – with some noticeably warm exchanges. Other marchers maintained their anger at police  with angry chants. The march dwindled as protesters walked south on Halsted Street and then east into Chinatown, until only about 75 people remained. Most of them boarded Red Line trains to head back to the city around 11:30 p.m., looking tired as they climbed the stairs to the platform.

Asked how he was holding up, one protester answered simply: “Exhausted.” “I’m pretty impressed with what we did, but I’m not looking forward to waking up and doing it again tomorrow,” said the man, who gave his name only as Curran and said he was from Boston. “But when I wake up tomorrow I think I’ll feel differently.” Moments later, he and dozens of other protesters boarded a northbound train as several police officers watched from the platform, making sure the train left without incident. Among them was 73-year-old John Grobner, who’d been walking since 6 p.m. on the route that moved aimlessly yet peacefully. Grobner, from Minnesota, is here with the Catholic Worker movement to protest the war. He said his feet needed a soak but he was doing okay. “It’s a Catholic Worker thing,” he said smiling. “It’s faith and resistance.” The days of protests are leading up what is supposed to be the biggest rally of the NATO summit, tomorrow at Grant Park on the first day of the meeting for world leaders. The anti-war rally is to include a march south on Michigan Avenue to the McCormick Place convention center where the NATO meetings are being held.

Source = http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/natosummit/chinews-nato-summit-obama-metra-lake-20120519,0,3320279.htmlstory

Chicago Police driving into NATO Protestors

On the 22nd of May #OccupyOil will be holding a funeral procession for Dutch Shell Oil. In a turnaround we are calling for the end of Shell’s destructive behavior throughout the world, from the west coast of Ireland to the Niger Delta.

Many people have lost their lives resisting the behavior of this unethical company.

It time we said “Rest in Peace Shell”.

Shell makes nearly £1.6m profits every hour. Help us say farewell to this 1% company.

When and where

St Paul’s Cathedral
Arrival 815am
The Shell Corpse will leave at 845am.

Strict dress code: BLACK

Contact:

Twitter – @OccupyOil – #OccupyOil

Facebook -

Group – http://Facebook.com/Groups/OccupyOil
Event – http://Facebook.com/Events/230582443683609

Website – http://OccupyOil.co.uk

Youtube - http://YouTube.com/OccupyOil

Bring noise, banners, black umbrellas and more importantly yourselves.

Tube and Rail Stations close by:

St Paul’s Tube Station (Central Line) – (5 minutes)
Mansion House (District and Circle Line) – (8 Minutes)
City Thames-link (National Rail) – (5 Minutes)
London Blackfrieers (National Rail) – (7 Minutes)
London Canon Street (National Rail) – (13 Minutes)
Bank Tube Station (Central Line) – (15 Minutes)

The City of London Police has unsuccessfully attempted to illicit information regarding the upcoming global event – Occupy Oil the Sequel (RIP Shell). PC Julie Hall (573CP) sent Occupy Oil an e-mail requesting the number of people who are attending this event along with the proposed action. Also sent with the e-mail was two PDF Application Forms. One being for a Procession protest (Appendix 1) and the other being for a Static protest.

The Human Rights Act 1998 protects the right of every citizen to peacefully protest. These rights are listed under Article 10 and Article 11 of the Human Rights Act. Case law also establishes that the Police are not allowed to prevent any peaceful protest without good reason.

Below is an extract of the  e-mail which can also be seen in the picture below:

From: (Julie.Hall@City-of-London-PNN-Police.uk)

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

It has come to our notice you and other groups are intending to hold some form of demonstration / precession at or around the Shell AGM on Tuesday 22nd May.

We would like to speak to you regarding this so we can police the event proportionately.

We would look to facilitate any peaceful protest but would appreciate you completing the attached form to provide us details regarding numbers and any proposed action.

If you can complete the attached form and return it to us with as much detail as possible, I would be most grateful – alternatively please give me a call on  020 7601 2592.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

E-Mail from City of London Police

Appendix 1

An Example of City of London facilitating a protest

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Let’s make a stand this May 22!

Join Occupy Oil

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HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998

SCHEDULE 1 – The Articles

PART I – The Convention Rights and Freedoms

Article 8 (Right to respect for private and family life)

1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 9 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion)

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 10 (Freedom of expression)

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

Article 11 (Freedom of assembly and association)

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
2. No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This Article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.

Source = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/schedule/1

Case Law

R (Laporte) v Chief Constable of Gloucestershire and others  [2006] UKHL 55

A test case taken by John Halford to challenge the policing of an anti-war demonstration at RAF Fairford in 2003. The House of Lords ruled that the claimants’ Article 10 and 11 ECHR human rights to freedoms of speech and assembly were breached and that peaceful protest can only be prevented in the most extreme circumstances, a development the most senior House of Lords judge, Lord Bingham, described as a ‘constitutional shift’.

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R (Rubens and McClure) v. Metropolitan Police Commissioner (CO/6880/2009)

A challenge to a police decision to unlawfully arrest, search, handcuff and film over 60 peaceful protesters gathered inside a social centre at Earl Street during the 2009 G20 protests. Gwendolen Morgan and Stephen Grosz acted for the majority of the protesters, who were awarded damages resulting out of their treatment by way of civil claims. The police also agreed to destroy the films and photographs of the claimants and not place their data on the Police National Computer.

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R (McClure and Moos) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

John also represented a number of activists who were kettled and beaten while protesting at the April 2009 G20 Climate Camp. On Thursday 14 April 2011, the Divisional Court ruled that the use of kettling and force against 4000-5000 represented an unlawful policing operation. Offensive “shield strikes”, were ruled “unnecessary” and “unjustified”. Instructions to subordinate officers were “not satisfactory very general and imprecise”. During the course of the evening “officers declined to release people who should have been released.” Police evidence given direct to the Court by the senior officer responsible for the operation, CI Johnson, that groups within the Climate Camp were intent on disorder and criminality was “not… convincing” according to the Court.

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R (Morris, E and T) v Chief Constable of Kent Police [2009] EWHC 2264 (Admin)

A judicial review of the Kingsnorth Climate Change Camp policing operation brought by John Halford on behalf of the well-know activist Dave Morris and 11 year old twins. The secret police policy of subjecting those who wanted to pass through and join the protest to multiple stops and searches of was ruled to be unlawful and a breach of protestors’ Article 8, 10 and 11 rights. A civil claim arising out of the successful judicial review was settled with a significant payment, an apology and Kent’s agreement to disseminate an agreed letter setting out the ‘lessons learned’ to all other UK forces.

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Source = http://www.seppo.net/e/

Reblogged from beyondclicktivism:

• 
• 

By Tim Hardy

Trigger warning.

The livestreams and photographs coming from today’s Occupy London action are deeply distressing. The police are acting with impunity, seemingly unconcerned by the fact that their behaviour is being witnessed. There are many images to review and videos to watch but the sequence in this video from 8.52-9.22 stood out immediately.

As the policeman in the front pulls back at 8.52 you can see one of his colleagues in the background has his gloved hand clamped over the mouth of a woman who is seated.

Read more… 301 more words

Reblogged from OCCUPY WALK USA:

‘Sonic weapon’ deployed in London during Olympics

May 11, 2012

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a device which can be used as a “sonic weapon” will be deployed in London during the Olympics. The American-made Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) can be used to send verbal warnings over a long distance or emit a beam of pain-inducing tones. The equipment was spotted fixed to a landing craft on the Thames at Westminster this week. An MoD spokesman said it would be used “primarily in the loud hailer mode”. Royal Marines operating in patrol craft from HMS Ocean are also heavily armed with conventional firearms.

The piercing beam of sound emitted by the device is highly directional. Some versions of the LRAD are capable of producing deafening sound levels of 150 decibels at one metre. But the device, which was used this week during Exercise Olympic Guardian, can also be used to broadcast verbal warnings, such as ordering crowds to disperse. The San Diego-based LRAD Corporation has previously sold the device to the US Army, which deployed them in Iraq for crowd control. They have also been bought by the US Navy and Air Force as well as a number of police forces worldwide.

Source = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18042528

Pain-inducing loudhailer for Olympics: Sonic weapon to be used on Thames to make boats stop

May 12, 2012

A weapon that can emit a piercing beam of pain-inducing sound will be deployed at the Olympics, it emerged last night. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to use the sonic equipment which was used by US troops in Iraq. The kit, which the MoD says will mostly be used as a loudhailer to make boats stop on the Thames, was seen this week fixed to a landing craft on the river at Westminster. Experts say the weapon, in operation during this week’s Exercise Olympic Guardian which tested Games security, is mainly for making crowds disperse and is called the long range acoustic device. Sound emitted by it can be pointed in virtually any direction. Some versions of the American-made LRAD are capable of producing deafening sound levels of 150 decibels at 3ft – which is the same as being stood next to the speakers at a very loud rock concert and causes the sensation of being compressed as if underwater.

Source = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pain-inducing-loudhailer-for-olympics-sonic-weapon-829532

Chicago police bulk up with $1m in riot gear for ‘peaceful’ Nato summit protests

May 11, 2012

“This is a device that has the capability to inflict permanent hearing loss on people,”

Chicago police confirmed to the Guardian that they will have a LRAD available at the 20 May protest, “as a means to ensure a consistent message is delivered to large crowds that can be heard over ambient noise”. “This is simply a risk management tool, as the public will receive clear information regarding public safety messages and any orders provided by police,” said Chicago police spokeswoman Melissa Stratton. However while the device can be used simply to transmit voice messages, it also has a “deterrent tone”, emitted at a volume which is painful to the human ear and which can be used to disperse crowds.

LRADs have been purchased by the US army and navy, and have also been used in commercial shipping as an attempt to drive away pirates. The device was first used at a protest in the US at the G20 Pittsburgh summit in September 2009, however there are ongoing complaints that its use there caused some people to suffer permanent damage. Karen Piper, a university lecturer, claims she suffered irreversible hearing damage that day, and is currently bringing a legal case against the city of Pittsburgh. ”This is a device that has the capability to inflict permanent hearing loss on people,” Piper’s lawyer, Vic Walczak, told the Guardian, adding that the device is “more dangerous than a Taser”. “We don’t believe it should be used against demonstrators. It should not be used outside the battlefield.”

Source = http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/11/nato-protests-chicago-police-riot-gear

Sonic weapon deployed for Olympics

May 11, 2012

Source = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9261613/Sonic-weapon-deployed-for-Olympics.html

London 2012: Sonic Weapon Deployed For Olympics

May 11, 2012

A device which can be used as a sonic weapon is being deployed in London for the Olympics. The American-built long range acoustic device (LRAD) can be used both as a high-powered loud speaker and to emit an ear-piercing beam of sound. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that it was among a “broad range of assets” being used by the armed forces to provide security during the Games. A spokesman said it would be used primarily in “loud hailer mode” in order to issue verbal warnings to any boats on the River Thames that were causing concern.

However the LRAD, which can reportedly emit a highly directional beam of sound at a pain-inducing 150 decibels, has also been used by the US Army as a crowd control device in Iraq. “As part of the military contribution to the police-led security effort to ensure a safe and secure games, a broad range of assets and equipment is being used by our armed forces,” the MoD spokesman said. “This includes the LRAD which will be deployed during the Olympic Games primarily to be used in the loud hailer mode as part of the measures to achieve a maritime stop on the Thames.”

Source = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/05/11/london-2012-sonic-weapon-deployed-olympics_n_1510627.html

“Two members of Durham Constabulary staff who held and twisted the arms of a prisoner to make him answer their questions have been fined by magistrates. CCTV footage taken in the custody suite of Peterlee police station last March shows David Healer screaming in pain during the assaults by Sergeant Stephen Harvey and civilian detention officer Michael Mount.”

Click here to continue

http://4therecord.org/uk-police

Reblogged from Skywarriors Blog:

I feel compelled to pen a blog tonight; it has been a busy few days.  May Day, The Big Six Energy Bash and now the news tonight that the encampment at Parliament Square has been finally removed, after Maria from Peace Strike lost her right to appeal and Simon Moore’s ASBO has been upheld by Westminster Magistrates Court.

I first came to London two years ago on the 30th of April. 

Read more… 469 more words

Peace Strike http://PeaceStrike.org

May 2, 2012

Cairo (CNN) — Egypt’s military may hand over power to a civilian authority in the next three weeks should a presidential vote be decided in the first round, a spokesman for the armed forces chief of staff said Wednesday. “General Sami Anan said today during a meeting with political powers and parties that (the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) looks forward to handing (over) power within the next three weeks if a president wins in the first phase of elections without runoffs,” Maj. Alaa Al Iraq said. The move, he said, is meant to quash doubts of those who fear a lingering military rule and signal an intention to make good on the coming transition.

Click here to Continue reading

Royal wedding protesters challenge police over arrests – video

April 29, 2012

Fifty-five people were arrested on the day of the royal wedding last year, 30 of them for a potential breach of the peace. A year on, 15 of them are taking the police to court for a judicial review to challenge the tactics that were used that day against a ‘hypothetical protest that had already been criminalised’. They tell the Guardian why they want the law to change and discuss what the practice could mean for the policing of protests at the Olympics

Click here for the Guardian Video

Source = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2012/apr/29/royal-wedding-protesters-challenge-police-video

The Charring Cross 10

“the Met have been going ’round, rounding up people for the royal wedding, to make sure there’s no problems.” – BTP Officer

The Charing Cross 10 are ten people who were on their way to the republican street party when they were stopped at Charing Cross station. They were violently arrested for ‘breach of the peace’ despite not having broken any laws. The Charing Cross 10 are stopped and searched. At 57 seconds the member of the British Transport Police states “the Met have been going ’round, rounding up people for the royal wedding, to make sure there’s no problems.” They then ask for the protestors’ details. When the protestors refused, as they were completely within their rights to do, the British Transport Police used Section 60 powers to stop and search them.

Starbucks Zombies

“I was told by the police, ‘if you’re going to dress like that, you’ve got to expect to be arrested’. And I thought I had to break the law to be arrested…” – Erich, one of the Starbucks Zombies

The Starbucks Zombies are five people who came to Soho Square for a zombie flashmob. The square was mostly empty when they arrived, but heavily policed. When the atmosphere seemed to turn they left the square and went to a nearby Starbucks. From here they were stopped and searched, illegally detained, and then arrested for ‘breach of the peace’. They were handcuffed, taken to Belgravia Police Station on the other side of London, and held in cells before being released without charge once the public celebrations were over. All because they were wearing fancy dress.

Frith Street Two

Two trans people on their way to the zombie flashmob in Soho Square, run by Queer Resistance, were detained, stopped and searched and arrested for breach of the peace after police found a tube of facepaint and a flyer for the flashmob. They were also sexually assaulted by the police officers who subjected them to unnecessary and illegal “intimate body searches”. These searches appeared to be purely to satisfy the individual police officers’ curiousity or to cause distress. The sexual assaults are being dealt with separately to the Judicial Review as that is a criminal law matter regarding the behaviour of individual officers. The Judicial Review will cover their arrest and detention.

“At around 10.30am we made our way out of the of the sq smelling trouble coming and not wanting any, as we walked out onto one of the a joining roads out of the area heading south we pulled our bandanas up as some paparazzi took our pictures, neither of us wanted our pictures used as part of some media stunt. As we moved further up the road we pulled our bandanas down as to not be concealing our faces, as we knew this would single us out, fat luck really because we had already been spotted by a group of 6 police officers, consisting of five male and 1 female officer who then proceeded to pull us over and use Section 60 to stop and search us.”

“when searching my person the female police officer said to me “Okay, I’m going to feel under your bra now” To which I replied “That’s not a bra” At this point her hands were still on my chest “What is it then?!” ”A binder” ”Whats a binder?” (At this point, may I point out her hands were STILL on my chest) To this I said “I’m Transgendered” … May I mention at this point, that I am a fully trained security guard? So I know how to do a pat down, that was not a pat down that was a grope and a violation of my privacy”

Charlie Veitch

Charlie Veitch, the founder of the peace activist group ‘The Love Police’, was pre-emptively arrested on Thursday the 28^th of April 2011, around 1615h, on an allegation of a conspiracy to cause public nuisance. As the video evidence shows, Charlie was not read his rights, and no warrant was presented for his arrest or for the search of his living space. He was held for 16 hours at Parkside Police Station in Cambridge. Outraged locals, students, and activists protested outside the station, and concerned citizens from around the world inundated the station with phone calls to voice their concern of this totalitarian police behaviour. Parkside police were obstructive to his lawyer, family, and partner, let alone friends and supporters, by not providing any information of his wellbeing or whereabouts.

At around 1000h on Friday the 29^th of April 2011, Charlie was collected by the Metropolitan Police from Parkside and taken to an undisclosed police station in London for 8 hours. Efforts by his lawyer, family, and partner to locate him were made in vain – he had effectively been ‘disappeared’ into the police system. Charlie was denied his right to a phone call from London, again continuing the obstruction of his access to his lawyer, family, partner and supporters. He requested that the police telephone his partner to inform her of his whereabouts, which was promised but not performed. With his family in the dark as to his whereabouts, concern was considerably growing. Charlie was eventually released on bail 23 hours and 45 minutes after his arrest at approximately 1600h on Friday 29^th April from Edmonton Police Station, London – just within the 24 hour limit that a person can be lawfully arrested and detained without charge.

The guillotine 3

Retired anthropology professor Chris Knight, anthropology professor Camilla Powers and another associate of theirs were arrested on April 28th (the day before) for ‘conspiracy to create a public nuisance’ as they had planned to do street theatre related to the royal wedding.

James Newman

“It looked like anyone who was wearing fancy dress was being detained and it appeared that arrests were being made has the people never did arrive at Soho Square which was just around the corner” – James Newman

Today I went to Soho Square in order to get some footage of a Zombie Party that was meant to be happening there.  When I arrived I noticed how empty the place nearly was.  There were more police then press and more press then the Zombies. It became clear after a while that many people were being prevented from getting to Soho Square. I saw people dressed as Zombies held for long periods on Oxford Street and around 30 police officers were waiting around one corner while a group of 20 waited at another corner. It looked like anyone who was wearing fancy dress was being detained and it appeared that arrests were being made has the people never did arrive at Soho Square which was just around the corner.

I was not able to find an internet cafe to upload my memory card so I made my way back to Soho Square where I spoke with the BBC reporter to explain this problem.  He arranged for me to go to British Broadcasting House in Regent Street and gave me directions. I noticed that two police officers at Soho were following me.  They had seen me speaking with the BBC reporter before I left.  When I got within 1 minute of the BBC on Regent Street I saw a police van stop and two officers looking at me while they ran over. I turned on my camera and started recording.  This appeared to anger one of the officers who grabbed my left arm while other officers arrived and grabbed hold of my other arm.  I was told it was a Section 60 stop and search.  At this point both my arms were being held and then another officer ripped my camera from my hand.  After some time I was arrested for suspicion of handling a stolen credit card which was my card with my name on it. When I arrived at West End Central I was informed by a police officer that this is where they took the Kray’s brothers. Whilst in the station I noticed some faces that I recognized from Soho Square. It took some time for the duty sergeant to process me through but once he was done I was taken to have my photos taken. I then had to go for another set of photos with a lady.

Court Case

“It is our view that the treatment of our clients was unlawful under common law and was in breach of their fundamental rights under the European Court of Human Rights articles 5, 8, 10 and 11,” said a spokesperson from Bhatt Murphy. “The apparent existence of an underlying policy that resulted in those arrests is a matter of considerable concern with implications for all those engaged in peaceful dissent or protest.”

Many of those arrested have decided to challenge the legality of their arrests. They have been granted permission for a Judicial Review which will take place on the 28th May – 1st of June 2012. They are being represented by both Bindmans and Bhatt Murphy solicitors. Unlike a Private or Civil Law claim (which would have been easier to achieve), a Judicial Review is an investigation which can and will go as high up the chain as is necessary to find out what the policies were and who made what decisions. Private or Civil Law claims would have likely resulted in an offer of compensation money before the case ever got to a judgement, but the claimants wanted a proper investigation and a judgement at the end of it to set a precedent for future policing. The claimants want to make sure that what happened to them cannot happen again.

Those involved hope to prove that there was (as the evidence seems to indicate) an over-arching policy of pre-emptive arrest that day. It is hoped that the Judicial Review will clarify that the Met’s policing of the royal wedding was illegal and that similar actions cannot be repeated. It is especially concerning as it is believed in some circles that the royal wedding was used as a ‘dry-run’ for the policing tactics which will be used during the olympics and the jubilee in 2012.

Source = http://pageantryandprecrime.wordpress.com/

Video Play List April 28/29, 2011

Other Sources:

Royal wedding: police criticised for pre-emptive strikes against protesters

The protester had only got a few bars into his version of the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, recast as “we all live in a fascist regime”, when the plain clothes officers moved in. Inside Westminster Abbey, Prince William and Catherine Middleton were exchanging vows watched by millions, but in nearby Soho Square, the expression of different views by a few people met a robust and, according to some present, disproportionate response. About a dozen policemen grabbed the singer, sparking a clash with his colleagues, changing the mood of a small and peaceful gathering as he was handcuffed and bundled away. “He had articles on him to cause criminal damage,” explained Chief Inspector John Dale, to loud protests.

“You just incited a peaceful situation into violence,” shouted a bystander. “The police should be peaceful and respect our right to protest,” said another witness, Jed, 19. The action against the 10 or so people participating in the Right Royal Orgy in Soho Square was one of several pre-emptive strikes by Scotland Yard. Police said they made a total of 52 arrests including 13 at Charing Cross station, where people were found to have climbing equipment and anti-monarchy placards, in addition to 21 arrests during raids of five squats in London on Thursday morning.

Source = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/29/royal-wedding-police-criticised-protesters

Royal wedding protest: three anti-capitalist activists arrested

Three anti-capitalist activists who were planning a mock execution of Prince Andrew with a guillotine to mark the royal wedding have been arrested and detained at Lewisham police station. Officers arrested Professor Chris Knight, a leading member of the G20 Meltdown group, outside his home in Brockley, south east London at around 6.15pm, according to an eyewitness. Also arrested were Knight’s partner Camilla Power and Patrick Macroidan, who was dressed as an executioner, said fellow activist Mike Raddie, of north London, who was with them. The three activists were preparing to drive their theatrical props, including a home-made guillotine and effigies, into central London when three police cars and two police vans drew up near Knight’s home in Brockley, said Raddie. “Chris was arrested first. He lay down on the pavement opposite his house to make the arrest difficult,” said Raddie. “He was pulled up by four police officers and two bundled him into the back of a van.

“Camilla was put in the back of one of the police cars. Patrick was dressed up as an executioner when he was arrested.” Raddie said the police also seized a van containing the group’s props, which included a wooden guillotine. “It’s a working guillotine but it doesn’t have a blade – just wood painted silver,” he added. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “This evening, 28 April, officers arrested three people – two males aged 68 and 45, and a 60-year-old woman – in Wickham Road, SE4 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance and breach of the peace.  “They are currently in custody at Lewisham police station.” The group has advertised the Zombie Wedding on its website and via Facebook. The event was billed as a “right royal orgy” with “rumpy pumpy and guillotines.” It also states: “PS govt of the DEAD disclaimer: this is a totally non-terrorist event and bears absolutely no resemblance to the Jacobin Terror of 1793-94.” The website said the event would start with a Zombie Wedding Breakfast in Soho Square at around 9.30-10am, after which participants would head to Westminster for mock executions.

Source = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/28/royal-wedding-protest-three-arrested

Met offer £5,000 compensation to arrested royal wedding protester

A protester who was held in police cells for six hours during a crackdown on street protests during the royal wedding has received £5,000 compensation and an official apology from the Metropolitan police. Republican, Adam Moniz, 30, was arrested by 10 officers and kept locked up in custody for the duration of the wedding while attempting to make his way to a council-approved demonstration nearly a mile away from Buckingham Palace that morning. His detention was part of dozens of other “pre-crime” arrests that took place around the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William on 29 April. The arrests were later condemned by activists and lawyers as “Orwellian” and potentially illegal. Moniz, who was travelling alone by train from his home in Southampton had been planning to join other republicans in Red Lion square, Holborn, at an event registered by Camden council called Not the Royal Wedding.

Moniz was first stopped by British Transport police (BTP) when they boarded his train at Clapham Junction and discovered his banner which read “democracy not monarchy”. Moniz said he told them he was planning to attend the Red Lion square event and even offered to turn back but that the BTP officers told him he should continue with his journey. However, when he alighted at Victoria station, Moniz was searched and arrested on suspicion of an “anticipated” breach of the peace. In a letter from the directorate of professional standards, the branch of the Met that deals with conduct and behaviour, police apologised to Moniz for “distress” suffered as a result of his arrest.

Signed by acting detective superintendant Mark Eley, the letter admits that policing of “large scale public order events is a challenging task”, and that the balance of “rights and freedoms” between different parties had “not been achieved” in Moniz’s case. Speaking about the Met’s apology Moniz said: “I was treated like a criminal just so that someone else could be treated like a prince. I was denied freedom of movement through central London and freedom of expression purely because of my republican beliefs.” He added that the events underlined the importance of the phrase on his banner, “Democracy not Monarchy”. Moniz’s lawyer Sarah McSherry, from the firm Christian Khan said: “Mr Moniz’s arrest and detention constituted a breach of his fundamental and democratic right to protest … The [Metropolitan police] commissioner, when challenged, has compensated our client, destroyed all photographs taken of him, apologised for the arrest and confirmed that any record of it will reflect that Mr Moniz was paid damages and an apology made.”

Source = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/sep/23/met-compensation-royal-wedding-protester

Royal Wedding Day ‘zombie’ takes cops to court – Hannah Eiseman-Renyard, arrested during “fun day out”

November 18, 2011

A WRITER who claims she was arrested for being dressed as a zombie on the day of the Royal Wedding has won the right to challenge the actions of police in the High Court. Hannah Eiseman-Renyard, 25, says she and three friends were arrested in a West End branch of Starbucks after they dressed up as the undead as part of a “fun day out”. They had been en route to a “zombie flashmob” in Soho Square, which was organised to highlight the impact of funding cuts on HIV clinics and hate crime, when they were allegedly deprived of their liberty along with others who were on their way to a republican street party.

Ms Eiseman-Renyard, who lives in Islington, said that shortly after noon on April 29, as Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey, she and her friends, who were wearing bloody face paint, were handcuffed and driven to Belgravia Police Station, where they were held for around three hours before being released without charge. She added: “There were signs up saying cells had been cleared especially for the Royal Wedding.” The High Court will make a judgment on the case in the New Year after the group was granted a judicial review. A spokesman for solicitors Bhatt Murphy, who are representing them, said: “The treatment of our clients was unlawful under common law and was in breach of their fundamental rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Source = http://www.westendextra.com/news/2011/nov/royal-wedding-day-%E2%80%98zombie%E2%80%99-takes-cops-court-hannah-eiseman-renyard-arrested-during-fun

London Police Sexually Assault 2 Trans People During Royal Wedding?

Anger is building within the UK’s trans community today following reports that heavy-handed security during Friday’s royal wedding led to at least two trans individuals being sexually assaulted – by the police. Allegations are still to be tested, but those familiar with the UK’s policing record over the last few years – bouncing from over-soft to ludicrously heavy in response to political pressures from on high – suspect there may well be more than a smidgeon of truth in the story. As the world looked on through rose-tinted spectacles, here and there in London, small groups of protesters gathered to contrast, in mostly good-natured fashion, the opulence of the royal ceremony with the reality of swingeing public services cuts across the rest of the UK. Radical street theatre, left-wing poetry readings and a zombie flashmob party organised by members of the UK’s gender queer community, in Soho Square, at the heart of LGBT London, were just some of the events on the royalty sceptic agenda. The police (London’s Metropolitan force, or “the Met”, as they are more commonly known) were not amused. They invoked fairly draconian powers (s60) that enabled them to stop and search anyone, without the safeguard that those in the US would know as “reasonable cause”. They also arrested people, taking them off the street temporarily and then releasing them without charge, by adapting some fairly antiquated laws around “breach of the peace”.

Examples of things that might have got you arrested on Friday? Possession of a tube of paint. Possession of a leaflet. Or in one instance, apparently, possession of that most dangerous of weapons: a pen. Broadly speaking, the police seemed to be continuing a pattern established at recent more violent demonstrations: coming down hard on those protesting peacefully and with wit; tip-toeing away from anyone better organised and more violent. All of which sets the stage for the alleged sexual assault of a trans man, Logan Le’Belle, and a trans woman, as described in an initial piece in Lesbilicious and in the blog fanoffury. They arrived early to take place in the flashmob zombie party, saw that police were dispersing it, and decided to walk on by. It made no difference. They were spotted by a group of 6 police officers, consisting of five male and 1 female officer who then proceeded to stop and search them. Logan described the experience thus: “When searching my person the female police officer said to me ‘Okay, I’m going to feel under your bra now’, to which I replied ‘That’s not a bra.’”

Source = http://www.bilerico.com/2011/05/london_police_sexually_assault_2_trans_people_duri.php

Democracy in the UK?

Today I went to Soho Square in order to get some footage of a Zombie Party that was meant to be happening there.  When I arrived I noticed how empty the place nearly was.  There were more police then press and more press then the Zombies.  It became clear after a while that many people were being prevented from getting to Soho Square. I saw people dressed as Zombies held for long periods on Oxford Street and around 30 police officers were waiting around one corner while a group of 20 waited at another corner.

Source = http://4therecord.org/2011/04/30/democracy-in-the-uk/

The royal ban on Free Speech and Protest – April 29

Charlie Veitch, the founder of the peace activist group ‘The Love Police’, was pre-emptively arrested on Thursday the 28th of April 2011, around 1615h, on an allegation of a conspiracy to cause public nuisance. As the video evidence shows, Charlie was not read his rights, and no warrant was presented for his arrest or for the search of his living space. He was held for 16 hours at Parkside Police Station in Cambridge. Outraged locals, students, and activists protested outside the station, and concerned citizens from around the world inundated the station with phone calls to voice their concern of this totalitarian police behaviour. Parkside police were obstructive to his lawyer, family, and partner, let alone friends and supporters, by not providing any information of his wellbeing or whereabouts.

Source = http://4therecord.org/2011/05/04/the-royal-ban-on-free-speech-and-protest-april-29/

Stop and Search FAQ:

Stop and Search

Why do the police in London use stop and search?

The use of stop and search powers allow the police to tackle crime and anti social behaviour, and to prevent more serious crimes occurring.

Generally stop and search happens in public places – in the area around football matches, for example, or in neighbourhoods that have been experiencing problems with crime or vandalism.

The police have the legal right to stop members of the public and search them for a variety of reasons and using a number of powers, including :

• Section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives police the right to search people in a defined area at a specific time when they believe, with good reason, that: there is the possibility of serious violence; or that a person is carrying a dangerous object or offensive weapon; or that an incident involving serious violence has taken place and a dangerous instrument or offensive weapon used in the incident is being carried in the locality. This law has to be authorised by a senior officer and is used mainly to tackle football hooliganism and gang fights.

Across London you may encounter three different police forces, the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and the British Transport Police. Officers from these three forces, at various times, work together on specific crime and terrorist operations.

Who can stop me?

• A police officer, or
• A police community support officer.

A police community support officer must be in uniform. A police officer does not have to be in uniform but if they are not wearing uniform they must show you their warrant card.

Where can I be searched?

• In a public place
• Anywhere, if the police believe you have committed a crime

If you are in a public place, you only have to take off your coat or jacket and your gloves, unless you have been stopped in relation to terrorism or where the officer believes you are using clothes to hide your identity

If the officer asks you to take off more than this or anything you wear for religious reasons, such as a face scarf, veil or turban, they must take you somewhere out of public view. This does not mean you are being arrested. In this case, the police officer that searches you must be the same sex as you.

What can I expect from the officer stopping or searching me?

The officer must be polite and respectful at all times. The Metropolitan Police are committed to continuously improving standards around the delivery of service to London’s communities.

All stops and stops and searches must be carried out with courtesy, consideration and respect.

We are aware that the process may take a little time but the process should be handled quickly and professionally.

The police officer will ask a few questions and then if necessary search you.

The search is not voluntary. If you do not cooperate the officer can use reasonable force to conduct the search.

Police officers, and police community support officers must use stop and search powers fairly, responsibly and without discrimination.

During a stop and search what information will the police ask for?

The police have a legal requirement to include certain information from individuals who have been stopped and searched. This includes:

• Date and time of the stop and search
• Location of the stop and search
• Why they stopped you, the grounds
• What they were looking for
• Names of the officers conducting the search and others present

The police officer will ask for your name and address and date of birth. You do not have to give this information if you don’t want to, unless the police officer says they are reporting you for an offence.

Everyone who is stopped or stopped and searched will be asked to define his or her ethnic background. You can choose from a list of national census categories that the officer will show you.

You do not have to say what it is if you don’t want to, but the officer is required to record this on the form. The ethnicity question help community representatives make sure the police are using their powers fairly and properly.

Source = http://www.met.police.uk/stopandsearch/what_is.htm