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Regent's Street last night

minch1 | 02.05.2001 13:52

Police tactics on innocent bystanders

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.

minch1

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

the thing I'm replying to

02.05.2001 16:11

Contact Liberty about it

Michael Mouse


You guys should stick up for yourselves!

02.05.2001 16:29

Anyone who was a victim of a crime committed
by a policeman (and it probably was a man)
should be doing all you can to
get your case heard. You want compensation.
Maybe you could even prosecute them.
If you know their ID number then that's even better.
Don't let the police get the better of you, don't be
intimidated by thugs.

To be fair the police had been there for hours
and must have been getting pretty stressed and
probably quite paranoid and it's understandable
that they, as human beings, would feel the urge
sometimes to LASH OUT but all the same,
it's NOT good enough, they ARE only human but
in taking the decision to enrol as police officers
these people are employed under the understanding
that their behaviour should be 101% professional
and their emotions should not AT ANY POINT get the
better of them or they should be liable for sacking,
a fine or even a jail sentence.

If the police are going to show 'zero tolerence' to
protesters then surely any PEACEFUL protesters
have every right to take a zero tolerence policy towards
the police.

Sue them, prosecute, do whatever you legally can
to get justice. Don't stand for it. Don't take any sh*t from the police.

YOU'VE GOT TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES.
Use the law, don't hurt anyone or anything but do
USE THE LAW to show these supposedly professional
people that you're NOT going to take any nonsense.

Mr S


A story from Euston Section 60

02.05.2001 17:09

This is what two of me friends told me last night:

They were in the peaceful crowd at the kings Cross event when people were surrounded by police and held for hours under a Section 60 order.

When after ages it was their turn to be processed one of my friends was searched inside her socks and the police woman searching her put her hand down the front of her trousers. This is beyond the legal powers given to the police under section 60.

She was also asked for her name and address. When she asked if she had to give those details she was told that there were special measures in place just for the day that meant you had to give your name and address so that the search form could be completed, and that she would not be entitled to a copy of the documentation. Fearing arrest or a strip search in the back of a police van she gave her details.

The other girl I know who was trapped for hours had a very different experience on being processed. She had some prior knowledge about the powers of police under section 60. When the police asked her for her name and address she replied that she did not actualy have to give those details. The police woman taking notes said "no you're right, you don't".

The girl who gave her details to the police and was searched beyond the powers of section 60 was really angry when she found out how far the police had overstepped their powers. She said the police were not being aggressive towards her and that in fact the matter of fact manner of the police woman who searched her led her to believe what the police were saying was true.

I imagine this happened to many many people.

I also think the widespread and extreme use of section 60 powers was a violation of our rights and surely must be illegal.

streetmate


oxford circus

02.05.2001 18:46

we were one of the many held in Oxford Circus yesterday for almost 7 hours. We were informed that we should make a complaint about being unlawfully detained against our will - but the website given to us doesn't exist anymore (ldmg) Who should we be contacting - will there be a collective complaint - if so we wish to be involved. In our opinion the police unnecessarily endangered lives yesterday - no one should be expected to stand for 7 hours without food or drink, toilet or medical facilities. Despite their best efforts to divide us and wear us down we have all come away having experienced solidarity and support amongst ourselves - and all the more determined to continue to attend non violent direct actions in the future.

debbie + tim
mail e-mail: timlee@mavis41.freeserve.co.uk