Dsei defendants in court Tues 16th
sambaqueen | 17.09.2003 16:55 | DSEi 2003 | Anti-militarism
Update on some of the Dsei defendants court appearances Tues 16th
A number of defendants appeared at Stratford Magistrtates in London Throughout the morning and early afternoon on Tuesday 16th 2003.
12 people representing themselves, were charged with obstruction of a highway (West entrance to Exel Building) on Tuesday 9th (Disarm Dswei day) as a result of a sit down action. They have arranged for their group to be tried as a whole rather than as individuals and have all entered a plea of not guilty. They have been told to keep their diaries free for Nov-Jan and were given unconditional bail.
1 person from the Sheffield samba band who was also arrested for obstruction of a highway is being tried separately as he was arrested slightly earlier on Tues 9th and in a different place. He too has entered a plea of not guilty and will he heard on the 18th November in Stratford Magistrates at 1.30pm. He would like support at the court as he is also without legal representation, if people are free to go along. On Tuesday he was supported by a Mackenzie’s friend* (see below)
2 arrestees from Cardiff, also for Obstruction of a highway – as a result of locking on to a car in the road, pleaded guilty. Although this plea was more because they can’t afford to keep going backwards and forwards between Wales and London for the next 6 months. They both received conditional discharges.
1 woman from the London samba band who was arrested for common assault (to a police officer) has had her case adjourned to the above mentioned magistrates Tuesday 23rd at 9.30am, as the police haven’t found her file. She plans to plead not guilty and should be in court around the end of the year.
All of the above were arrested as a result of actions on “Fluffy Dsei Day” Tuesday 9th.
1 Defendant from Manchester received a conditional discharge for the charge of Sec. 5 of the Public Order Act…of causing alarm and distress. He ran into the grounds of Buckingham Palace during the changing of the guards, to hand out anti Dsei flyers!! He also wasn’t entitled to legal representation, so was supported by a Mackenzie’s Friend.
1 other male demonstrator was heard for Assaulting a police officer, obstruction of a highway and something else. Not entirely sure of the outcome, but it looked like the case was adjourned.
Other judicial information is that I person from the Turin samba band who was arrested on Thursday in front of the Lancaster Gate Hotel where the Dsei merchants were being wined and dined. He is in Horseferry Road Magistrates on Friday 19th charged with some really jumped up scapegoat stuff: ABH, Assualting a police officer, affray, obstruction of the highway and possession of an offensive weapon. He would really appreciate some support as hasn't been able to return to Italy since Dsei.
2 people who were also arrested from the die-in in Leceister Sq on Thurs 11th will be in Leceister Square Court on Nov 18th
The Claimants (Police) seemed to be surprise, surprise completely incapable of having any paperwork ready to sort the cases out. There has been some talk about organising a Dsei defendants group, for all those arrested or affected by the arrests. Anyone interested?
*NB. A Mackenzie's friend is someone who sits in the witness box with the defendant and advises them if they are unable to have other legal representation. They aren't allowed to speak directly to the court, but can say whatever to the defendant. It is good if at some point you are being tried alone and bricking it, or just because it's really easy to get flustered and forget what you wanted to say and they can remind you and make suggestions. I'm sure there's more, please add if you know.
A number of defendants appeared at Stratford Magistrtates in London Throughout the morning and early afternoon on Tuesday 16th 2003.
12 people representing themselves, were charged with obstruction of a highway (West entrance to Exel Building) on Tuesday 9th (Disarm Dswei day) as a result of a sit down action. They have arranged for their group to be tried as a whole rather than as individuals and have all entered a plea of not guilty. They have been told to keep their diaries free for Nov-Jan and were given unconditional bail.
1 person from the Sheffield samba band who was also arrested for obstruction of a highway is being tried separately as he was arrested slightly earlier on Tues 9th and in a different place. He too has entered a plea of not guilty and will he heard on the 18th November in Stratford Magistrates at 1.30pm. He would like support at the court as he is also without legal representation, if people are free to go along. On Tuesday he was supported by a Mackenzie’s friend* (see below)
2 arrestees from Cardiff, also for Obstruction of a highway – as a result of locking on to a car in the road, pleaded guilty. Although this plea was more because they can’t afford to keep going backwards and forwards between Wales and London for the next 6 months. They both received conditional discharges.
1 woman from the London samba band who was arrested for common assault (to a police officer) has had her case adjourned to the above mentioned magistrates Tuesday 23rd at 9.30am, as the police haven’t found her file. She plans to plead not guilty and should be in court around the end of the year.
All of the above were arrested as a result of actions on “Fluffy Dsei Day” Tuesday 9th.
1 Defendant from Manchester received a conditional discharge for the charge of Sec. 5 of the Public Order Act…of causing alarm and distress. He ran into the grounds of Buckingham Palace during the changing of the guards, to hand out anti Dsei flyers!! He also wasn’t entitled to legal representation, so was supported by a Mackenzie’s Friend.
1 other male demonstrator was heard for Assaulting a police officer, obstruction of a highway and something else. Not entirely sure of the outcome, but it looked like the case was adjourned.
Other judicial information is that I person from the Turin samba band who was arrested on Thursday in front of the Lancaster Gate Hotel where the Dsei merchants were being wined and dined. He is in Horseferry Road Magistrates on Friday 19th charged with some really jumped up scapegoat stuff: ABH, Assualting a police officer, affray, obstruction of the highway and possession of an offensive weapon. He would really appreciate some support as hasn't been able to return to Italy since Dsei.
2 people who were also arrested from the die-in in Leceister Sq on Thurs 11th will be in Leceister Square Court on Nov 18th
The Claimants (Police) seemed to be surprise, surprise completely incapable of having any paperwork ready to sort the cases out. There has been some talk about organising a Dsei defendants group, for all those arrested or affected by the arrests. Anyone interested?
*NB. A Mackenzie's friend is someone who sits in the witness box with the defendant and advises them if they are unable to have other legal representation. They aren't allowed to speak directly to the court, but can say whatever to the defendant. It is good if at some point you are being tried alone and bricking it, or just because it's really easy to get flustered and forget what you wanted to say and they can remind you and make suggestions. I'm sure there's more, please add if you know.
sambaqueen
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DSEI Defendents Group is ace idea
19.09.2003 10:14
As well as the arrests, there were many, many incidents of violent and unlawful police behaviour over the course of the week that have affected a lot of people. While Liberty have got a test case going on the use of section 44 to police the arms fair, all those who were stopped and searched under the anti-terrorist legislation but not arrested are now in limbo - they have noone representing them but have no idea what the implications are of having been controlled in this way. Others had personal possessions confiscated that the police are refusing to give back; then there was the harrassment, the pushing and punching, the verbal threats, the restriction of movement, the agressive photographing, the targeting of internationals and the samba band.
A DSEi defendents or legal support solidarity group is an excellent idea. All those who took part in helping to organise the actions, or who participated - please get involved. Noone has a duty or a responsibility, we all protested freely as individuals, but it would be nice and incredibly powerful if the hundreds who trekked out every day to block the roads, roundabouts and trains could now support their fellow protesters who are in the dock.
The first part of this solidarity could be to have big presences on each of the hearing dates for the 'accused'. I'm sure samba will be involved somehow ;)
The second part is to gather as much evidence as possible to help those on trumped up charges. But more than this, we need to gather as much evidence and testimonies as possible about police behaviour, and also look at policing of other events. Notice how Simon in Greece was fitted up? Now an Italian fitted up here? May be a coincidence, or it may be a tactic of the globocops to make an example of an international protester and deter the mass movement of anti-capitalista across borders.
If anyone was stopped and searched under section 44, or has any stories of police behaviour, then lets hear them. Also: my particular favourite game is to see what the cops wrote down on their stop and search forms - i've now seen around ten. Not only are they illiterate, but they clearly don't know anything about the law, and made the most ridiculous comments about people's clothing and belongings as 'items relating to terrorism'. Like CDs, zapatista t-shirts, the way people were 'walking'...
unbelievable
fluffetista