8.30 – 9.30 p.m May 1 London

We were peacefully standing on Regent’s Street close to junction with Oxford Street. We had been watching several ambulance crews move up quickly in riot gear as if they had been told to prepare. Suddenly 50 or so police rushed out from a side street and tried to pen us on Regent’s Street. My friend (who was just looking on) tried to leave quickly and was grappled by the police (most of whom had their faces covered). One even just stuck his leg out to trip him over as he ran backwards. When we intervened to protect him, the supervisor (white insignia, number 30174) ran up to screaming and swearing obscene language. It was clear that man was out of control and ‘hyped to eyeballs’ on adrenaline if not something else.

I took their numbers and then attempted to make a formal complaint to the presiding officer. A few minutes later I approached him again to see if he had taken any action. Essentially to paraphrase his advice; you don’t have a chance in hell in getting your complaint validated. And I agree with him…but that’s not the point. This action was peaceful; we have been harassed, photographed without permission and abused. I was a moderate but now I have to re-examine how state structures and capitalism are inter-dependant.