the two concerned were dressed in mock Israeli army uniforms and were at the time 'shooting' people taking the part of Palestinians with plastic toy guns - the kind that don't even go 'bang'. This was all part of some street theatre performed outside Marks & Sparks that was designed to illustrate the presence of the so-called 'security fence' that is being built to completely enclose the Palestinian population within the West Bank, and the destruction of Palestinian homes by the Israeli army, a long standing and ongoing barbarity played out most recently in Rafah on a large scale.

The theatre took place next to the regular picket of M & S, and there was a shall we say 'discrete' police presence pretty much as soon as the action started. Having caught the back end of one piece of theatre, senior police officers were overheard discussing possible reasons for arresting people. Not methinks because they were concerned about any crime being committed, but that it is their duty to ensure that the consumer paradise of central Manchester is kept clear of any unsightly scenes that might distract people from doing their shopping.

But no pretexts were available and they climbed back into their squad cars. The next round of theatre began, eventually in the name of realism the 'soldiers' wwere forced to 'shoot' the 'Palestinians' with their 'guns' and GMP's finest promptly leapt out of their pandas to detain the 'soldiers' and protect the passing public from any further distress. The two were not actually arrested or carted away, just detained in the back of a panda for a lecture about carrying imitation firearms in public, which said were confiscated so as to be destroyed (well done sarge, taking those dangerous weapons out of circulation), and the taking of personal details (need to keep an eye on those guys, quite obviously). Good to see GMP using their powers in proportion to the evident threat to public order and safety, as ever.

I wonder if, now public question time has been cancelled at the town hall (due to lack of interest so we're told), we might be seeing another shift in policing protest in manchester again. Itsbeen quiet for a long time with the activity surrounding the M&S picket, right to protest etc and I don't think anyone responded to the police request for a meeting so we could "self-police" ourselves..(!)
So is it now time for the revival of more agressive policing such as we have endured for many years?

Public questions dropped? The unaccountable bastards! Is this for sure?

The offer of a meeting about self policing was also made again, still no takers?

The plods main objection to the TOY guns was if ppl mistook them for real guns they would
become distressed. Anyone fancy some kind of "weapons of mass distress" session next time the army parade their NOT TOY wares?

Just to really drive home the point, when I got home and online I was chatting to a net buddy in Nablus who was distressed by the sound of gunshots in the street as we spoke... so I get grief off the plod for portraying these actions whilst the perpetrators are carrying them out!!!!

Strictly unethical but if we got kids to re-enact same scene what would happen? I assume this would be OK (i.e. the plod wouldn't touch it) making it an offence to be a grown up with kids toys?


"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self-evident."
Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860
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Yep. The info re public question time was in the Metro last weekend. Could the lack of interest be because very few people in Manc actually knew it existed? Could the fact that its been dropped be because when some people knew it existed, they started to attend and ask (or try to ask) awkward questions such as about the Piccadilly One Electricians and the role of the City Council etc etc…?

I am not up for self policing because it means that effectively we agree with the police to steward ourselves on any street action. If anyone wants to go discuss with the police, then that’s up to them but they should also bear in mind that, obviously, not everyone would agree to being “policed” by the self-police.

Definitely up for weapons of mass distress session… kids with toy guns and any other creative ideas re army parades. The next one was July, I heard. Anyone know any more info on that?

By the way (quick plug), don't forget Menwith on Sunday. Cars going from Manc Students Union 10am, meet up on the steps. Back in time to go to the pictures or watch the football.

CHORLTON STREET BUS STATION MAIN ENTRANCE 10.00am
NOT STUDENT UNION STEPS

(also, please tell us on  grow_manchester@hotmail.com if you're coming because its about room in cars, one of which i'm driving but i don't want to if someone else would do it for a change. if anyone has a car and wants to drive you are so welcome)...

and if you haven't you are welcome to. CND are not doing any transport now so we need to get people there. if you have a car and can help, i will bring gingerbeer and flowers.