In court the police claims and trumped up charges were dismissed as the defence showed three separate sets of video footage which clearly illustrated the disgraceful behavior of the police.


Background:

On Saturday 23rd Feb 2002, a protest was held outside the Italian embassy to show solidarity with Indymedia Italy after raids by police on multiple premises in Italy, including those of a Trade Union, in connection with the Genoa anti-G8 protests last year. Around 50 people gathered on the pavement outside the embassy and posters were taped on the embassy pillars stating 'Siamo Tutti Indymedia' - 'We Are All Indymedia'. Video tapes representing the footage seized in Italy were dumped on the doorstep and video tape wound across the entrance. Leaflets explaining the the raids in Italy, copies of an Italian IMC press release and a statement from the Genoa legal team (who were also raided) were handed out.

Several samba style drummers were playing when a lone diplomatic police car arrived. The police immediately started punching and pushing people towards the other side of the road. One of them was heard to say "I don't give a fuck about the law", whilst several people were punched and kicked in an unprovoked attack on a peaceful gathering. The crowd did not rise to the provocation remaining peaceful and pleaded with the police to stop being violent stressing that their actions were being fully filmed, however more police arrived and continued to act violently. Several people were injured, and 2 arrested.

Detailed account of the solidarity event and police violence
 http://uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=23438&group=webcast

Picture montage
 http://images.indymedia.org/imc/uk/tuttimont1web.jpg

IMC Italy Press Release on raids
 http://www.indymedia.org:8081/front.php3?article_id=137889&group=webcast

Carabinieri (paramilitary police) have raided several social centres allegedly housing indymedia centers. The nation-wide operation was due to an order from Genova's attorney, who tried to seize audio and video material referring to the anti-G8 actions in Genova last summer, focusing on what could deal with the police raid at the Media Center and the Diaz school. Police have seized computers, archives, and equipment needed by hundreds of italian activists for daily cultural and political activities. From a statement by Indymedia Italy: "This morning, an attack has been struck against freedom of information. A few places have been targeted, to exercise a political pressure"