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From one of the arrested...

xxxxxxxxx | 06.04.2003 02:39

After leaving the sit-in, I walked down Duke street with some of my friends. One of my friends was still in the small group of marchers that had been isolated. I kept shouting his name, so that he would know we were all nearby. After shouting his name one time too many, the police at the back of the contingent came and grabbed me violently...

After leaving the sit-in when prompted (and indeed encouraging others to move on to Parliament Square, since I felt we had "made our point"), I walked down Duke street with some of my friends (fellow classmates & one of my lecturers). We walked along, following the small group of marchers that had been isolated, from the pavement. One of my friends was still in this group. I could see that he was trying to phone us, but couldn't hear me shouting his name from outside. I kept shouting his name, so that he would know we were all nearby. After shouting his name one time too many, the police at the back of the contingent came and grabbed me violently, saying: "go and join your friend in there then; you know you want to". Obviously, to me this felt like "come here, so that you fit our criteria for arrest". I tried to break free, but failed. Five policemen made sure I was one of those 'going in'; clearly feeling satisfied at their 'catch'. I was handcuffed and escorted to the van...
 
I was charged with the following:
ON 05.04.2003 AT DUKE STREET JUNCTION WITH OXFORD STREET W1 TOOK PART IN A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY AND KNOWINGLY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITION IMPOSED BY A SENIOR POLICE OFFICER UNDER SECTION 14 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT 1986,NAMELY WAS GIVEN DIRECTION BY SUPERINTENDENT PLOWRIGHT THAT PERSONS WERE ONLY TO PROTEST OUTSIDE AMERICAN EMBASSY,THIS DIRECTION WAS PASSED ONTO MR AZARIAH-MORENO WHO HE CONTINUED TO PROTEST AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO SIT DOWN IN THE ROADWAY AT DUKE STREET W1.
 
CONTRARY TO SECTION 14(5) AND (9) OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT 1986
 
I certainly don't recall anyone telling me that I was only allowed to protest outside the American embassy. I didn't 'knowingly' fail to comply with any condition. And, at any rate, I was among the many who had already chosen to move on from the roadway and had been allowed to do so. The sit in was a spontaneous event. We all chanted "sit down, stop the war", along with other slogans. It seemed my voice was louder than others. I did not 'encite' any more than all those others chanting the same slogan.

xxxxxxxxx
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- Homepage: http://www.peace-tree.org

Comments

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Re: From one of the arrested...

06.04.2003 11:50

took me a bit of time to realise you were in London - better to make it part of your subject line in the newswire, making Indymedia easier to use.

> After leaving the sit-in when prompted (and indeed
> encouraging others to move on to Parliament Square, since I
> felt we had "made our point")
it is one of the most annoying things to be taking action and be told be someone else what they think is best that I do - whilst it's up to you what *you* do, it is not up to you to encourage others to leave, unless of course you have info that they don't. They will be aware of what's going on, and be able to make their own decisions for themselves. It puts them potentially in a difficult legal postion, as they have shown more intent not to move, and you in a difficult legal position 'cos it implies you are an organiser. If we ever meet, please don't every tell me I've "made my point"....! I've heard it too many times from coppers etc.

Also, don't shout out the name of your friend. The police are always collecting information, and will use it for their purposes. If you're going to a demo or action with a group of friends (always the ideal), talk about what you're up for first, and what name you'll call each other. You can even use the same name for the whole group, which can also help to regroup when needed.

The way police behave is shit - I'm sorry you've felt it personally.

for legal info, go to www.activistslegalproject.org.uk
for a guide to public order situations (ie what you were in) go to www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide/guidetopublicordersituations.htm

love n rage

balh

Sit down in Oxford St London

06.04.2003 16:54

Any kind of confrontation with police is something I try and avoid but after a week of reading the newspapers, watching the Blair Broadcasing Corp. etc I sat down in Oxford Street with many others. Watching the police circle round us two/three deep was a scary experience but not as scary as when they started pushing us in the direction of Duke Street - if their intimidation is designed to put people off from demonstrating all I can say is they have failed with me - I will be attending every demonstration and meeting I can!

Cynthia
mail e-mail: cyndash3@aol.com

agree

07.04.2003 15:34

I too was sitting down in oxford street, and saw the police sorrounding us, as the police violence started, one grabbed my wrist and twisted it as far as it would go behind my wrist which was extremely painful, another then pushed me over into other people sitting, and that was after not doing anything wrong at all. I then looked back to see my brother being arrested. I have never seen the police act so needlesly violent, clearly i havent been active enough at demonstrations, but from now on i will, they will not get away with it!

Rhys