UK Newswire Archive
Defend the right to protest at Occupy LSX Sat, 28, Jan, 2012.
26-01-2012 14:07
Occupy LSX will be hosting a defend the right to protest event on Saturday the 28th of January at the Occupy LSX site outside St Pauls Cathedral from 12noon to 6pm. We will be having loads of bands and entertainment. We want thousands of people to come down and join us for a day of party and protest.Sheffield Cathedral vs Occupy Sheffield - hearing set for 21-22 Feb 2012
26-01-2012 13:42
Occupy the High Court to support the St Paul's Cathedral protest camp
26-01-2012 12:15
Eco-warriors are calling on large numbers of people to occupy the High Court and apply to the judges in chambers for a stay of execution on the imminent eviction of the St Paul's protest camp.Grounds for a retrial are the fact that some defendants were refused admission to the court to hear their own case, the land is not a public highway and does not belong to the City of London but was originally gifted to the Church of England, and the City of London is a criminal organisation which is not entitled to possession of the site.
Cracking the whip – case against the ‘Atos Two’
26-01-2012 10:55
Two Nottingham residents, a wheelchair user and a retired paediatric nurse, dubbed the ‘Atos Two’, have been charged with aggravated trespass following a protest at the local offices of Atos ‘Healthcare’. They will stand trial at Nottingham Magistrates Court on February 27th and 28th. [See update below.]
Atos plays a crucial role in the government’s attack on people with disabilities as the company administers the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), a contract worth £100m a year. The WCA is specifically designed to force people onto Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) regardless of the claimants’ physical and/or psychological abilities.
These tests are part of the latest attempt to distinguish between a mass of ‘idle’ and a few ‘deserving’ poor. Whereas the former are demonised, the provision of alms for the latter is used to maintain the guise that capitalist regimes can be ‘progressive’ (a term that really needs to be reclaimed from Clegg) and caring systems of social relations.
Atos’ implementation of the WCAs resulted in the company also becoming a target of widespread criticism from beyond the radical community. Campaigners have e.g. repeatedly referred to the substantial success rate of appeals against Atos’ decisions. A report by the BBC Inside Out ‘found that of the 146,200 appeals that have been heard to date, 56,500 (more than a third), have been upheld in favour of the claimant’[1].
Furthermore the professionalism of those conducting the assessments has been repeatedly questioned. The Guardian reported in August that twelve doctors employed by Atos were ‘under investigation by the General Medical Council over allegations of improper conduct’ [2].
With Atos being such a particularly disgusting part of the modern British ‘welfare’ system, there have been a number of protests against the companies’ offices all over the country. The protest in Nottingham was not unusual in having been not only entirely peaceful, but also extremely (one might say far too) polite.
The rather ham-fisted reaction by the local police, until now better known for their frequent blunders and blatant incompetence rather than a particular urge to repress peaceful protests, as well as the CPS’s decision to charge the Atos Two have been received with astonishment. The prosecution is widely seen as politically motivated, a perspective only underlined by one of the arresting copper’s admission that ‘there’s been too much of this sort of thing going on and we’ve been told to crack down on it.’
The case of the Atos Two is indeed not an isolated one. The offence of aggravated trespass was introduced in the 1990s in response to the successes of hunt saboteurs and road protesters. It is frequently used against activists to deter people from engaging in acts of protest and civil disobedience. Recent examples include the cases against activists who went into Fortnum & Masons or Panton House.
All of these protests were using forms of direct action that are usually accepted within western representative democracies unless a certain line of annoyance is crossed. After the wave of direct action by UK Uncut and others in Nottingham and across the country over the last year this is apparently now the case.
‘Total policing’ does not only entail total surveillance and the increasing armament of the repressive apparatus, be it with Tasers, water cannons or rubber (and live) bullets. It also entails the repression of anything perceived to be putting a spanner in the efforts to maximise the accumulation of capital, however small that act of direct or indirect sabotage may be.
The ‘Atos Two’ have been supported by an impressive solidarity campaign. At their first court hearing there was a solidarity demo of around 40 people outside, despite it being early morning on a workday. A further protest is planned for the first day of the trial, as well as a demonstration on February 3rd with a number of other activities in the pipeline.
Their case shows that fluffy protesting is as liable to repression as more radical forms of direct action. As one of the solidarity messages sent to the ‘Atos Two’ noted, it is an example of ‘the ruling classes cracking the whip’. But the solidarity shown towards the defendants from within and outside the radical community as well as the wave of demonstrations and direct action against the imposition of “austerity” in the UK show that the attacks by the ruling classes can be – and are being – resisted. If anything, an increase in repression can often be a sign that resistance is beginning to work. We just need to keep pushing.
For updates on the ‘Atos Two’ please follow http://twitter.com/nottsdefence
Email: nottsdefence@riseup.net
*** UPDATE: The charges of the Atos Two were unexpectedly dropped by the CPS on January 13th apparently “complainant no longer supports the prosecution”. The ‘Atos Two’ have asked us to express their gratitude to everyone who has supported them over the last few months and let you know that you’re all fantastic! Check the campaign website for details of further actions against Atos: https://network23.org/nottsdefence/2012/01/13/atos-two-charges-dropped/
Article originally appeared in freedom newspaper: http://www.freedompress.org.uk/news/2012/01/26/cracking-the-whip-%E2%80%93-case-against-the-%E2%80%98atos-two%E2%80%99/
The Echo of Silence
26-01-2012 09:32
This is a message to the uprising conservation activists in India from the karmic underground of a subcontinent which had to experience the prototypes of the current destruction in a thousand years of shadow. We speak for everyone who has chosen to live without the permanent terror of the police state, and for everyone who might nourish the sprout of such a decision in the prisons of their daily lives, so we speak for everyone able to agree or disagree for themselves. In this place, there is little left to conserve, and the fine thread of life connecting us with its timeless nature would be easily cut. We desire, envision and pursue the abolition of the regimes threatening to do so and the deconstruction of their inferior motivation of nuclear power. In the physics of the atom, we see human minds inspired by the Sun and the paths of the planets, trying to imagine what is not fully understood, captured in the metaphor of their own misunderstanding. Precisely this narrative is the core element of the police state that must be taken out to avoid catastrophe. And yet the condition of the universe this toxic legacy is part of suggests that no one carried such a monstrous aberration quite far, for otherwise it would already be just as looted as this Earth.Australian protesters trap PM
26-01-2012 07:45
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott were trapped in a restaurant for half an hour by a crowd of anti-racist protesters.Sheffield Cathedral vs. the 99%
26-01-2012 00:10
At 10.30am on Thursday 26th January 2012, Occupy Sheffield will attend a trespass hearing in Sheffield District Registry Court.On Trauma and Homelessness
25-01-2012 23:32
up to a third of all homeless people are former soldiers, sailors and airmen, many of whom are living with medical conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,Peace for Iran - No to War: Second weekly protest
25-01-2012 22:55
A small but vociferous band of supporters of Peace Strike and 'Solidarity with the Iranian People's Struggle' (SWIP) staged their second weekly protest this afternoon outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Westminster. They are opposed to foreign military intervention in Iran or Syria.
Slogans chanted included "Peace for Iran / Syria / the World - No to War"; "We are all Iranians / Syrians / Concerned Citizens"; and "Solidarity with the People's / Workers' / Women's struggle in Iran / Syria".
The demonstration lasted about an hour and a half, until the stream of Foreign Office employees leaving the building had tailed off.
US Defence Secretary and former CIA director Leon Pannetta admitted on Sunday that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons, yet the drumbeat for war goes on, with US, UK and French warships now in the Straits of Hormuz, the European Union imposing an oil embargo on Iran, and President Obama refusing to rule out military intervention, declaring in his State of the Union address that "all options are on the table". The question to the peace and anti-war movement is whether they are prepared to take the action necessary to prevent a repeat of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
Stop the War are to stage a protest outside the US embassy on Saturday, whilst next Wednesday's Peace Strike / Iranian solidarity protest will take place at the same time and venue as today's.
Report and pics from last week's protest:
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/11492
http://www.demotix.com/news/1011239/first-joint-protest-against-war-and-irans-tyrant-regime-london
All images are Copyright (c) 2012 D. Viesnik / Peace Strike. They may be reproduced free of charge for non-commercial purposes, if credited. For larger, high resolution versions, please e-mail vd2012-imc [at] yahoo .co .uk
EU May Vote Soon On ACTA (Mother of SOPA)
25-01-2012 19:32
ACTA is the international version of the SOPA/PIPA laws in the US that would seriously restrict Internet freedoms. Under ACTA, information would be copyrightable for the first time, a bold step by the 1% towards the dark side.Update on Occupy Liverpool Eviction Threat
25-01-2012 18:31
Occupy Liverpool Eviction ThreatStay of Execution Sought for St Paul's Protest Camp
25-01-2012 18:20
Urgent messages proposing that a stay of execution for the St Paul's protest camp should be sought tonight from the emergency High Court duty judge have been forwarded to some of the eco-warriors camped outside the Cathedral.The High Court in the Strand in London has a procedure which is available to all defendants in court cases to seek emergency injunctions and stays of execution on court orders from 7 o'clock at night until 10 in the morning and all through the weekends.
Call out for support of Occupy Sheffield!
25-01-2012 17:57
Occupy Sheffield are facing court hearings tomorrow as Very Reverend Dead Bradley of Sheffield Cathedral takes Occupy Sheffield to court! Come and Support your right to protest!Disabled Activists and UK Uncut Join Forces to Oppose Welfare Bill
25-01-2012 14:42
On Saturday 28 January, activists from Disabled People Against Cuts(1), Disabled People’s Direct Action Network(2) and UK Uncut(3) will occupy an area of central London in a ‘daring and disruptive’ act of civil disobedience in opposition to the government’s Welfare Reform Bill which is currently being debated in the Lords.Bloomsbury Social Centre branded 'Terrorist'
25-01-2012 14:36
Bristol Indymedia Film Night! Forgotten Bird of Paradise
25-01-2012 12:55
Forgotten Bird of Paradise is a 2009 documentary by British filmmaker Dominic Brown, when he travelled to West Papua without the permission of the Indonesian authorities, putting himself in great danger. This documentary will be shown on 5th March at 8pm at the Cube cinema, Dove St, Bristol, BS2 8JD £4 entry (though nobody refused for lack of funds).Forgotten Bird of Paradise is a 2009 documentary by British filmmaker Dominic Brown, when he travelled to West Papua without the permission of the Indonesian authorities, putting himself in great danger. It provides a rare and moving insight into the forgotten struggle for independence that has gripped West Papua for nearly 50 years.
The documentary features an interview with Yusak Package, a high profile West Papuan political campaigner recognised by Amnesty International as a 'prisoner of concience'. He is currently serving a ten year prison sentence for raising a West Papuan flag during a ceremony in 2004. The interview was recorded in secret, whilst Yusak was in hospital receiving treatment for torture injuries.
The film also shows other human rights victims and political prisoners and never seen before footage of OPM rebels in their jungle stronghold, and discusses recent developments in the international arena, including the launch if the International Parliamentarians for West Papua with the aim of giving the West Papuan people their long-lost right to self-determination.
This is a world where ancient traditions and culture lives on in the modern age. Above all it shows a remarkable resilience of a people oppressed under Indonesian rule, but whos determination for freedom burns stronger now than at any time in history. Finally now their cries are beginning to be heard.
Bristol Indymedia are excited to bring you at least one speaker (hopefully two!), Benny Wenda who is a Free West Papua campaigner and his friend Serogo - a West Papuan refugee. You can see Benny's biography at www.bennywenda.org/biography
This documentary will be shown at 8pm at the Cube cinema, Dove St, Bristol, BS2 8JD £4 entry (though nobody refused for lack of funds).
Directions: www.cubecinema.com/cubewebsite/directions.html
More info: www.forgottenbirdofparadise.net
Tinlings Ltd make eviction threats against Occupy Liverpool
25-01-2012 12:43
Eviction threats against Occupy Liverpool.Please Help Stop the Eviction of St Paul's Protest Camp
25-01-2012 09:04
Desperate last minute efforts are being made to stop the IMMINENT EVICTION of the St Paul's protest camp as the eco-warriors are seeking an injunction on the grounds that the City of London Corporation LIED TO THE HIGH COURT about the ownership of the land.ACPO and the Met in the dock
25-01-2012 08:55
On Thursday 9th February 2012 at 10.00am, in the Royal Courts of Justice, the Strand, London WC2A 2LL, there will be a Judicial Review of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), a private limited company, and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, for the running of a controversial £9 million publicly funded secret 'domestic extremist' intelligence database about political activists.
The case is brought by 87 year old anti-war activist, John Catt, labelled a 'domestic extremist' for expressing his political views through protest and artwork. His political activities, appearance and dress have been clandestinely, systematically and routinely monitored and stored on the database which includes sensitive data.
He particularly became the focus of police surveillance for regularly protesting against American multinational arms manufacturer, EDO/ITT in Brighton. John only discovered that this data was being held about him after repeated requests under the Data Protection Act.
The 'domestic extremist' database is run by the discredited National Public Order Intelligence Unit(NPOIU), under the command of ACPO and/or the Metropolitan Police. It was this same unit which employed under-cover police spy, Mark Kennedy, to infiltrate environmental groups for several years. It also spent £3 million of public money on spy cameras targeting Muslims in Birmingham. They provoked such an outcry that they had to be withdrawn.
John Catt is challenging the legality of the database under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to private life), the Data Protection Act 1998 (breach of legislation on personal and sensitive personal data) and on the basis that it is irrational. He is calling for the destruction of the data held about him. If successful, the case could have far reaching consequences for 'Big Brother' State surveillance and intelligence gathering of protesters and dissidents.
This will be a very interesting hearing about civil liberties. Please attend and watch and the Met and ACPO be put under the spotlight as they try and wriggle out of their web of deceit, confusion and lack of accountability.
PREVIOUS REPORTS ON THE NEWSWIRE
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/05/478744.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/05/478694.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/07/454719.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/05/430975.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/05/430880.html
AND ELSEWHERE
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/25/peace-campaigner-classified-domestic-extremist
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/may/03/protester-sue-police-secret-surveillance
Mass protest marks Tahrir anniversary
25-01-2012 07:37
THOUSANDS of Egyptians are gathering in Cairo's Tahrir Square today to mark the anniversary of the January 25 revolution.