Protest=Terrorism according to Hampshire cops
Witness | 23.07.2002 14:18
Yesterday three activists from Campaign Against Arms Trade were driving in the vicinity of the Farnborough Air Show in a nondescript car with the purpose of looking at the area for a peace procession due to happen on Thursday.
As they drove into the area, they were pulled over by the police on what was claimed to be a rountine stop. The driver of the car gave his details and minutes later the cops came back and ordered the occupants out of the car, saying that they and the vehicle were going to be searched under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The cops politely explained and without a trace of irony that the occupants were being searched under the terrorism act because they believed they were involved in protest. However they failed to provide an explantion over the connection between terrorism and protest.
Fifteen minutes later, after name checks that clearly identified the occupants as activists, they were given an escort by three police motorbikes to meet the Assistant Chief Constable of the area to discuss Thursday's procession. Here they were joined by members of Hampshire's Forward Intelligence Team who thought it worthy to capture on video.
Once again, the police and state have shown their willingness to attempt to undermine, harass and intimidate peaceful protesters under the guise of terrorism. These and similar incidents are happening on a more and more regular basis and must be publicised and resisted.
CAAT is holding other protests against the air show:
Tuesday 23rd July 7pm, Grosevenor House, Park Lane - action against delegates dinner.
Thursday 25th July - Farnborough Rail Station 10:30am - peace procession to the air show/arms fair.
As they drove into the area, they were pulled over by the police on what was claimed to be a rountine stop. The driver of the car gave his details and minutes later the cops came back and ordered the occupants out of the car, saying that they and the vehicle were going to be searched under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The cops politely explained and without a trace of irony that the occupants were being searched under the terrorism act because they believed they were involved in protest. However they failed to provide an explantion over the connection between terrorism and protest.
Fifteen minutes later, after name checks that clearly identified the occupants as activists, they were given an escort by three police motorbikes to meet the Assistant Chief Constable of the area to discuss Thursday's procession. Here they were joined by members of Hampshire's Forward Intelligence Team who thought it worthy to capture on video.
Once again, the police and state have shown their willingness to attempt to undermine, harass and intimidate peaceful protesters under the guise of terrorism. These and similar incidents are happening on a more and more regular basis and must be publicised and resisted.
CAAT is holding other protests against the air show:
Tuesday 23rd July 7pm, Grosevenor House, Park Lane - action against delegates dinner.
Thursday 25th July - Farnborough Rail Station 10:30am - peace procession to the air show/arms fair.
Witness
e-mail:
enquiries@caat.demon.co.uk
Homepage:
www.caat.org.uk
Comments
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Give up activism
23.07.2002 15:07
It's time we started seriously building networks to move towards replacing this corrupt, oppressive, unreformable society.
The nation states are gearing up for change to a higher level of authoritarian social control. Protesting may make you feel better, get rid of some of your anger - that's what it's for, after all - but don't expect to make a better world through shouting, demonstrating, locking on, etc.
Protesting is never enough. At best it only addresses the symptoms of this sick society, not the cause. At worst it acts as a pressure valve, diverting people from actually working for real change.
Okay, so apart from releasing the pressure a little, protesting can help build confidence in our strength, give us a feeling of solidarity. But if it only builds solidarity amongst a group of activists, well, whats the point?
And protesting can sometimes make a difference if it involves direct action, such as stopping the building of so many roads that the government (temporarily) shelves a road building problem, but it doesn't change the world. And that's what we want, right?
It's time to get serious. It's time to prepare for the clampdown. We've been irritating the state and capital for long enough now, and they are starting to get pissed off. The backlash is already upon us, but, I tell you, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Smash capitalism. Before it smashes you.
excitable revolutionist
Remember the Gandalf trial
23.07.2002 22:30
Steve
e-mail:
mail@greenanarchist.org.uk