On the Monday after the brutal attacks on peaceful protestors, I went to register my protest outside the Italian Embassy - in the full awareness that the demonstration the evening before had been S60'd, corralled and let out very slowly because 2 cops did the searches while other cops stood around laughing. Arrived in Grosvenor Square and met some people I knew. We decided not to stand behind the police barriers, but to cross the raod (5 of us) and hold up our banner next to a group of women who had managed to get right in front of the Embassy and cops. They had then had barriers placed around them, and a police van parked in front of them to obscure their banner. Soon after my group took up our places, a Seargant (XB41) asked us to cross the road. I repeatedly asked him what law required us to cross the road and rather strangely, he couldn't offer one! I then noticed 2 coppers whose numbers were covered by custom made epaulette covers. I asked XB41 why these cops had their numbers covered and he just smiled and asked us to cross the road again. I made some comment about "We come here to protest, and you fucking infantilise us and treat this like a civil obedience class". This same XB41 who refused to do anything about Coppers covering their numbers (which is not allowed and not nice!) then warned me that if I swore again, I would be arrested! Glad he's got his priorities straight! Shortly thereafter, 20 or so bullyboys from the TSG came behind us and herded us across the road, one of them stabbing me in the back with his finger repeatedly. I was not a happy bunny by this stage, and turned round to face our boys in blue, who were standing in the road. I said "right - I was told that if I swear one more time, I will be arrested - here goes" At full volume, whilst being filmed by the BBC, I began a litany of "C*nt, C*nt, C*nt" at the bemused bully boys. After about 13 "C*nts", I was warned and after a few more, I was arrested. On being read my rights - "You do not have to say anything, but anything you say can and will be used as evidence..." I replied with another loud "C*nt" - I wasn't handcuffed and was taken to a van to await transport. XB41 came up to inform the arresting officers he had warned me before. I was taken to West End central, where I was lippy,beligerent and unco-operative - after being threatened with being held overnight, I was charged and released after a few hours (a big thankyou to those who supported me outside the cop shop). Went to a pub where the FIT Boys (Full-on Intimidatory Tactics?) stood and watched us drink for a few hours (nice work if you can get it!) - had my last shout of C*nts as they drove off.

I attended court and refused to offer a plea. The charge was read out - claiming the cops wanted me to cross the road cos they were concerned for my safety because there were no barriers. Well at 41 I've been standing on pavements all my life without barriers and so far have encountered no problems, so told the beaks that wasn't how it happened. Trial was set, and with help from some solicitors applied for legal aid. This was refused 3 times (The Court will ensure a fair trial being one of the reasons!)Received a letter excusing me from first hearing ( the arresting officers turned up for nothing!) . The 4th legal aid application was accepted. So yesterday I turned up at court, met my barrister, who informed me that the court has a 98% conviction rate (the court will ensure a fair trial indeed!) and I was already aware that the District Judge has a reputation for loving cops and hating protestors - but what the hell, with my legal aid I could now appeal the almost certain conviction. Then we learnt that the arresting officers had failed to turn up! So there we were, the whole court session set aside for the trial and it couldn't go ahead. In I went and sat at the back of the court watching the District Judge rubber stamp 2 applications for search warrants (justice indeed) and then told to go into the glassed in dock. The prosecutor explained the coppers weren't there despite the Criminal Justice Unit being faxed on 25/09/01 and asked for an adjournment - the judge asked why they weren't there and the prosecutor said that they were both on leave! The Judge commented on the waste of Public Money and asked my barrister if she opposed the application for adjournment. "Yes" was the answer. "Application refused, case dismissed" said the Judge.And then, joy of joys, she demanded that someone from the Police Station attend her court at 2pm to explain why the officers hadn't arrived. I left the court with a big grin on my face.

Lots of time wasted, legal aid paid, cops turning up for nothing, and then attending to explain. And I still think they're C*nts!