UK UK Newswire Archive
Occupy London N30 Report
02-12-2011 10:55
N30, corporate greed, Xstrata and the right to protest
http://occupylsx.org/?p=1755
On Wednesday 30 November, Occupy London – part of the global movement for social and economic justice – sent a message to Mick Davis, CEO of Xstrata: As the highest paid director of any FTSE 100 company, we will not let your outrageous income go unnoticed. [1]
Occupy London supporters staged a highly memorable action with a banner drop from the roof of Panton House, Xstrata’s London offices at 25/27 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4EN.
We had to take a stand. These executives hide in their offices, and as they hoard capital they face no scrutiny for their actions. With our peaceful action, we wanted to remind the highest paid that they cannot continue to ignore this economic climate without repercussions. Later in the day Xstrata’s PR firm went on to correct our statement, arguing that CEO Mick Davis took home £17.7m, as opposed to the £18,4m that Occupy London stated as identified by employment research organisation Incomes Data Services (IDS). [1]
Needless to say it makes no difference, considering that in 2009, the worst year of the recession, Mr Davies took home a staggering £27m, including basic pay, bonus and share options, according to the company’s annual report.
Police force
Those on the roof, as well as several others within the building and outside were arrested during and after this action. Photographs from the roof of Xstrata’s offices have begun to emerge today and they show scenes of police force which fortunately are not usual in this country. Moreover, those arrested after the action were engaged in nonviolent resistance, trying to prevent their friends from being taken away in a coach hired to the Metropolitan Police by Edward Thomas & Son. [3] Occupy London is not convinced that the “clashes” and “violent scuffles” with police referred to by ITN News and others capture the character of what actually happened. This is part of a disturbing pattern of police action during the day which sees people being warned away from exercising their right to protest – implying violence may take place – while official bodies sanction actions that, at the very least, may serve to exacerbate tense situations.
7am Liverpool Street
The day began with Occupy London supporters gathering at Liverpool Street at 7am to unfurl a banner in the station in support of the N30 strikers. The crowd grew, as led by a samba band, it made its way through the City with its large “All power to the 99%” banner, eventually meeting with the electricians union, the sparks, just south of Southwark Bridge to show solidarity. Police maintained a respectful presence, until the sparks and Occupy London met and it looked as if kettling was about to come into force. Occupy London and the sparks were peaceful throughout. As the sparks and Occupy London set off to visit other pickets, news began filtering in that there were incidents happening at Occupy London’s Bank of Ideas building (a multi-million pound abandoned UBS office complex taken over by Occupy London in an act of public repossession) at 29 Sun Street.
A number of Occupy London left to find out what was happening only to hear that a Section 60 Order had been put in place covering Bank of Ideas and Occupy London’s second space, Finsbury Square. There was a significant police presence, with those leaving and entering both spaces being stopped and searched. Items such as phones were kept by police and several arrests were made. According to the guidance on stop and search given on the Metropolitan Police’s own website:
“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.” [4]
We leave it to those reading this to judge whether this was an appropriate use of Section 60 powers.
At around this time, details of a letter being given out to protesters for N30 were handed to a member of our press team. [5] This was similar to the letter that was given to student protesters in advance of their demonstrations 9th November, a move we described at the time as “an attempt to produce a chilling effect on the right to protest.” [6]
The march
Gathering from 11am at the Occupy London Stock Exchange site, just by St Paul’s Cathedral, a large crowd of around 400 people left with several large towers draped in banners.They joined the main march, with their sound system. The atmosphere was great, even though the march was essentially a long, slow-moving kettle flanked by police, with police dogs at times along the route. It has been noted by several media outlets, that compared to other groups on the march, there was a greater police presence around the Occupy London supporters.
The action
Around 4pm, over 300 people including supporters of Occupy London from the TUC march, assembled at Piccadilly Circus. Led by a flare and a band, supporters of the cause gained entry into the unguarded, unlocked offices of Xstrata in Panton House. Over 40 people made it up the open stairwell to the 4th floor, where Davies’ office is located. Some ran further up to the roof of the building where they dropped a banner reading ‘All Power to the 99%’.
Police then stormed into the building and violently removed the protesters. Officers, including Territorial Support Group squads (riot police), pushed those who were in the building down the stairs and arrested those who had reached the roof using excessive force. Later the police formed a kettle outside Panton House, which escalated the situation significantly. Consequently, over 20 people were arrested. As has been reported in The Independent this morning, there was a substantial undercover police presence throughout the day, some of whom were recognised from the student protests earlier in the month. [7] Occupy London questions the effectiveness of deploying widely-recognised undercover policemen in any intelligence gathering operation: far from operating incognito, they actually draw quite a lot of attention to themselves. What exactly, then, is their role? In light of recent cases where standards of practice for non-uniformed officers has been shown to be less than optimal, we feel that this is an area in which the Met could usefully provide some guidance.In addition to undercover or plain clothes officers, forward intelligence officers with video cameras where a constant presence. The limited access individuals have to see what records are held on them in police databases in this country is an area of concern for all who value their rights of assembly and democratic participation. [8]
Finally, we wish to draw attention to the refusal of police to explain where those arrested – one of whom was a minor – had been taken. The real-world ramifications of not releasing this information to either friends or legal observers are serious, causing considerable distress. We recognise that ordinary policemen and women are part of the 99%, but we are becoming increasingly concerned at the directions they operate under in relation to protest.
Defendants meeting
On Saturday 3 December, there will be a defendants’ meeting at 3pm at the Bank of Ideas on Sun Street in Hackney. We invite all those arrested and all those who support the arrested to attend. Arrestees are also asked to contact Green and Black Cross, who have been providing Occupy London with legal support for demonstrations. Their contact details are: email GBCLegal@riseup.net or call 07946 541511.
Notes
[1] Sky – Top Five Highest Paid Executives http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/16098319
[2] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/7579233/Xstrata-chief-Mick-Davis-paid-27m-last-year.html[3] Edwards & Son - http://www.edwardthomasandson.co.uk; http://occupyLSX.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/edthosons.jpg
[3] ITN – Violence as Occupy London protesters clash with police - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZjb3nodIXg[6] Metropolitan Police – Stop and search - http://www.met.police.uk/stopandsearch/what_is.htm
[4] Simon Pountain, Public Order Command - https://twitter.com/#!/OccupyLSX/status/141822886934622209/photo/1
[5] Occupy London statement on #9nov and the right to protest - http://occupylsx.org/?p=857
[7] Independent – The moment protesters found a plainclothes cop in their midst - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/the-moment-protesters-found-a-plainclothes-cop-in-their-midst-6270908.html; Guardian – Mark Kennedy report to rule out monitoring of undercover police - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/14/mark-kennedy-undercover-police-report
[8] Guardian – Are you a ‘domestic extremist’ - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/11/domestic-extremist-police-databases
Occupation at 3 bristo place
02-12-2011 08:55
We are occupying 3 bristo place as an autonomous non-hierarchical group of people from a variety of different backgrounds. We are concerned that community space has been diminished as a result of the banking system. This is the same financial system that is robbing us of our pensions. This building has been appropriated by price waterhouse cooper, and we are reclaiming it.Police Officer Punches Protestor in the Face - Hay
02-12-2011 02:55
Whilst at the Haymarket in central London on November the 30th at approx 18:15pm the Police force protestors away. Whilst on the line Officer FH463 punches out at protestor 3 times and hits him in the face.
You can watch the video of here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytcMsgINWIM
Whilst at the Haymarket in central London on November the 30th at approx 18:15pm the Police force protestors away. Whilst on the line Officer FH463 punches out at protestor 3 times and hits him in the face, witnessed by an Officer FH648 left of him states "He Saw That" but ignores the protestors plea for identification. Later I report this to a Senior Officer, Superintendant Jones who states that they (the Officer) is Accountable for use of force. I should refer this to the IPCC or Policing Standards and am ignorred by 5 other senior officers who are present.
If a protestor were to assault an Officer he would be immediately arrested. If an Officer assaults a protestor they gets away with it unless its documented and reported.
You can watch the video of here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytcMsgINWIM
Video: N30 Birmingham demonstration
02-12-2011 01:25
N30 critical mass and free space
01-12-2011 22:55
As well as the main pickets and march yesterday, a critical mass was organised to shut down the city. A group of 25 cyclists cycled (at extremely slow pace) around the city centre for a few hours after the march had finished, spreading the word about the strike and the fight against government cuts everywhere we went. There was a huge amount of public support for our message.
The ride ended at the Sumac Centre in Forest Fields where the Autonomous Nottingham free space had relocated. We all sat down to eat soup and talk about how the day had gone. There was a formal discussion about workers' struggle and ways we can make it more effective and extend it followed by a screening of The Take, an inspiring film about Argentina's expropriated factories, under worker control and run cooperatively.
The struggle continues...
UPDATE on Hackney 41 arrests
01-12-2011 22:55
POLICE are now saying 41 people have been arrested for suspicion of breach of the peace outside CLR James library in Dalston, Hackney, yesterday of which two remain in custody with the rest bailed (see earlier post for background)
Police originally announced 37 had been arrested for suspicion of breach of the peace following an incident outside the library where a picket was being held as part of the national strike over public sector pensions.
They later released a statement saying they had re-arrested them for affray. Today they announced 41 people have now been arrested for suspicion of breach of the peace (again).
A police spokesman was unable to explain the confusion, but said it would be unusual for people to be bailed-to-return for breach of the peace.
Affray is a considerably more serious offence with a maximum sentence of three years if sent to a crown court.
It is defined as the use, or threatened use, of unlawful violence against another and for someone present to fear for their safety.
#n30: audio from south london pickets + main march
01-12-2011 22:55
WORK IN PROGRESS
WORK IN PROGRESS
Aberdeen N30 Big Breakfast….Super GO Breakfast teams!
01-12-2011 22:12
Britain's sabre rattling against Iran. The threat to global security is Israel
01-12-2011 21:37
It is worth noting that Iran has not launched an attack or invasion of another country for over 200 years, has stated no intention to do so, and does not have any nuclear warheads. The hypocrisy is so blatant, and so extensive, that it is little wonder that Iranian citizens, like those elsewhere in the Middle East and throughout the world, are taking matters into their own hands.
No Shale Gas in Kent!
01-12-2011 21:28
Australian solidarity with Assange as he returns to UK High Court Dec 5th
01-12-2011 21:07
N30: County Hall pickets report
01-12-2011 20:55
County Hall is the HQ of Tory-run Nottinghamshire County Council, led by the appropriately named Kay Cutts. As public sector unions took action in defence of their pensions on November 30th, it was just one of the hundreds of picketed building across the country.
Organising at County Hall has been difficult for years for many reasons. However, some of the blame must be laid at the door of Unison, widely viewed as having miss-handled the implementation of single status at the council which saw a number of staff taking sizeable pay cuts.
Picketing began at 7am, when it was still dark, with strikers trying to stop people at the car entrance. This met with limited success, with some scabs even driving down the wrong side of the road to avoid being challenged. The more obvious incidents of stupid driving decreased as the number of pickets swelled.
A second picket line was established at the main entrance to the building. The three pickets there were also joined by Labour councillor Jim Creamer (a member of RMT).
Unfortunately, pickets had little success at turning people around, although one person did at least take an application form. Not that union membership necessarily translates into solidarity as a number of members were amongst those crossing the picket line.
Bizarrely a number of people claimed to be fully supportive even as they went into work. The concept of collective action apparently being lost on them.
One of the more amusing episodes occurred when striker tried to discourage Mrs Cutts from crossing the picket line. Inevitably, she went in, but she did take a leaflet and expressed concern about the impact of the cold weather on pickets' welfare.
Given County Hall's high profile, picketers were visited by BBC Nottingham who did a live interview with one of the strikers.
Pickets were wound up at 10am to give strikers time to make their way to the Forest Recreation Ground for the march and rally.
The national action was called by a huge array of public sector unions, but it was notable that only Unison mobilised for pickets at County Hall, despite GMB having a number of members, particularly in the ICT department.
This was particularly unfortunate given many council staff's bad experiences with Unison locally and it is to be hoped that in the (likely) event of any future action, GMB activists pull their finger out.
Despite these issues, the strike wasn't ineffective at all. The car park, normally full to overflowing had a number of free spaces and it was clear that there were less people coming in than usual.
Management had also had to bring in a number of private security guards (perhaps as many as four) to cover for the facilities staff who were nearly all on strike.
N30 march in Nottingham
01-12-2011 20:55
The November 30th march in Nottingham in defence of public sector pensions was huge. It was by far and away the biggest demonstration I've ever been on in the city and it's even been suggested that it was perhaps even the largest trade union demonstrations in Nottingham's history.
Estimating numbers on marches is always controversial, but there is no doubt that this was a huge march. Notts Police estimated 5-6,000 marchers, while a friend who made an attempt to count the demonstrators put the number at 10,000.
As is traditional in Nottingham, the march formed up at the Forest Recreation Ground before making its way down Mansfield Road. The march was led by a "pensions justice" banner carried by a number of union dignitaries followed by a sizeable Unison bloc decked out in purple. Behind them snaked thousands of strikers and supporters.
The fact that this was part of a national strike meant that it attracted considerable media attention and there were a small army of photographers snapping away as the march went on its way.
Unions represented included many of those on strike: ATL, NUT, NASUWT, GMB, PCS, Unite, Unison, UCATT and a number of others joining the march in support such as CWU, FBU and RCN. There were also a number of banners from political organisations ranging from the Labour Party to the Anarchist Federation via Keep Our NHS Public.
Coming up the rear of the march was an Unison advertising lorry and a Routemaster bus decorated with pro-strike messages by the PCS.
The volume of people made coherent chanting difficult, but with so many people and an array of whistles and vuvuzelas the protest was at times deafening.
The sheer size of the march inevitably caused major delays along Mansfield Road and in the surrounding area, but the response to the march was largely positive, with demonstrators receiving a standing ovation from passers-by at the bottom of Mansfield Road. Many of the taxi drivers parked up while the march went past were also waving union flags.
Part way down Mansfield Road a group from the Refugee Forum (itself affected by cuts) had come out with a banner to show their support.
There was a further demonstration of solidarity from the Occupy Nottingham camp, which the march made its way past. It is also worth noting that marchers responded positively to the occupation, pointing perhaps to the possibility of mutually beneficial activities in the future.
From the Market Square, the march continued up Angel Row, across the roundabout and up Derby Road before doubling back to finish outside the Playhouse. There was to be a rally in the Albert Hall addressed by the great and the good. A screen and PA system had been set to convey what was being said to those unable to get in.
Unfortunately, while waiting for the rally to get started the organisers had decided to use this PA to play the cover of 'Let's Work Together' by The Workers over and over and over again. After milling around chatting for a while I eventually decided to decamp to the pub.
Cameron has dimissed the strike as a "damp squib," but the vast size and anger of the Nottingham demonstration gives the lie to his posturing. With even larger demonstrations reported in London, Birmingham and Manchester with sizable marches in many other towns, to say nothing of widespread disruption, particulrly in schools, it is clear that this was a massive strike.
It has been a long time since I've been so inspired by a demonstration and it was clear from talking to other marchers that I was not alone. There is a real opportunity to be built on here and it is disappointing that the trade union leadership does not seem to have a strategy of where to go from here.
This is unlikely to be the end of the dispute and further strike action (probably in the new year) is almost inevitable. Victory is far from assured, but we're off to a good start. I'll see you on the streets!
Report and photos from N30 in Wrexham
01-12-2011 20:35
The Times calls for Press TV closure
01-12-2011 20:07
'(Police use of) Taser is used as a means of compliance' says the IPCC!
01-12-2011 19:50
'Metropolitan Police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, said fewer people are being tasered by officers'.As usual, the Met LIE, then get caught lying after a Freedom of Information request shows cops are trigger-happy with their new deadly toys
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Pics: banners at #N30 demonstration
01-12-2011 18:55
N30 was thee biggest day of strike action seen in the UK for decades, and so London saw hundreds of thousands of people marching together in a demonstration called by most public sector unions. Here there are some photos of traditional union banners on display at the demo, as well as banners from a variety of groups and organisations that came together to fight the government cuts in public sector workers's conditions.
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Climate Solution: Air to Soil
01-12-2011 17:58
Affinity group
01-12-2011 17:18
June 1999
No Justice for the Cardiff Three
01-12-2011 17:08
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) incompetence or collusion allows corrupt cops to walk free.
After five months of a trial costing ‘tens of millions of pounds’, eight police officers accused of perverting the course of justice have been able to simply walk away from Swansea Crown Court. They walked free not because a jury acquitted them – the jury didn’t get a chance to pass any verdict at all. They walked free because the CPS and police investigators made such serious and repeated failings in presenting the evidence that it was impossible for the trial to proceed.