Photos of police harrasement and arrest at the April 12th Demo

Less pictures-more action | 13.04.2003 01:29

Police harrassement at the entrance of Hyde Park, one demonstrator arrested. (article 1)

Photos of police harrasement and arrest at the April 12th Demo

I was one of the people who eyewitnessed the incident at the gates of Hyde Park and no matter in how many demos I have participated up to now or how many times I have seen the police intimidating people, that incident was one of their most stupid and clumsy attempts to terrorise activists.

While peaceful protestors were still gathering in the park the police started provoking people that were sitting arround the Anarchist Federation info-stall, situated next to the gates of Hyde Park. After walking around in circles, and collating info in their little notebooks, the pigs started searching inside the bags of activists. Meanwhile 2 of their highly-trained(!!!) photographers were taking pictures of people but also of the information leaflets and books at the stall!! Suddenly they gathered around one demonstrator asking to check what was inside his violin-case.

Immediately a lot of people started gathering around the spot demanding to learn what is happening and why was this young person harrassed. The only reply we got was silence and pushes by the pigs. One of them tried to open up a conversation with me asking me about the weather while he was standing in front of me, trying to block my camera. Not tall and not clever enough though, he failled (send a taller guy and with a better agenda of issues to discuss next time).

In the meanwhile the rest of the pigs were trying to keep people away and were continuously photographing everybody who was around, being really rude and provocative. Finally they managed to handcuff and lead the demonstrator to a van while a crowd of people were shouting 'SHAME ON YOU'.
If anybody has any info about what happened to that person or if he is facing any charges it would be appreciated to let all of as know.

Unfortunately, the police managed once more to grab another activist, I am sure he is not going to be the last of us who is harrassed, photographed, handcuffed and intimidated but still I wonder when are we gonna learn how to defend ourselves and stand for the people next to us.

Solidarity is our only weapon, they will never bent us.

Less pictures-more action

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

yes, he is

13.04.2003 09:17

he has been charged with assault - which is fucking ridiculous, but they'll probably make up evidence to do him.

geo

Serious Incident

13.04.2003 10:35

I was there too but missed the start of this incident, however i did ask may people who had been there what had happened and agree with the above post.

The police had called in a second camera unit to photograph and film people with more officers arriving they crowded around the stall.

The police seemed to be saying that the guy had asaulted an officer. People who saw what happened said that he had simply pushed past one of the surveillance police - and that was enough for them to make the arrest - why? what, were they bored on what had been a long demo? or was it just to try and intimidate and harass?

One good thing was that people did chant shame at the police and after the arrest some people began blocking the view of the police cameras, all of which forced them to retreat - but they still had made their arrest. One wonders what we could have done to prevent it. It was an ultra fluffy demo day and this had been pretty unexpected.

I inderstand there were three arrests in total in the park - another for drugs and another apparently in relation to immigration. This trumped up charge of assault will not stand in court however.

all the people

cops r cack

13.04.2003 11:43

More pictures here of the cops who started this problem:

http://uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=63315&group=webcast

someone

getting their stories straight

13.04.2003 13:09

getting their stories straight

Just after the arrest some of the police moved away from the area to look at pictures, no doubt compare stories and write notes in their notebooks. I think someone had video footage of the incident so if it is needed please post here.

UK Indymedia