Police Surround London Institute for Autonomy in Preparation for G8 Summit
Gwen S. | 30.06.2005 13:23 | G8 2005 | Anti-militarism | Globalisation | Repression | London
It appears that police have just surrounded the Institute for Autonomy squat and are illegally detaining and searching its occupants, seizing personal documents and openly talking about the searches being conducted in preparation for the G8 Summit. At the request of a friend, I am posting all the information he has sent me so far.
INSTITUTE FOR AUTONOMY, 12:30
We're inside the Institute for Autonomy squat and fairly surrounded by police. they are searching everyone who goes in or out. i went out to photograph and document an illegal search and ended up getting questioned about immigration and passport business. i didn't answer any questions, i just asked if i was being detained and when i got no answer i walked away and they made no attempt to stop me.
Unfortunately, i had brought my notebook, which i handed to another activist who was later detained. apparently the cops stole the notebook. i was stupid to bring the notebook outside but the situation was very different when first went out, there were just two police searching our friend, now there are a few vans full up and down the street. [...] As you can probably tell, i'm a little panicky, since we're sort of trapped inside here. with no place to discuss our next move since then whole building is under surveilance.
INSTITUTE FOR AUTONOMY UPDATE 13:07
There are cops out back now as well and another van in front. if one of you has time to post a quick summary of what's going on here to London Indymedia, please do. We are at the Institue for Autonomy at 76-78 Gower Street.
Okay, a legal team has arrived here. There are about 8 people left in the squat. Some of us have packed up our stuff and are getting ready to leave the building with legal support, as we have to get to the show. as i said before, the police have confiscated a book with lots of important information including all the kids who had signed the Riot-Folk E-mail lists.
The police are talking openly about the fact that these detentions and
searches are directly related to the G8 Summit. They are photographing
everyone who interacts with the space. I am talking to legal now about possibly getting my notebook back but it doesn't sound promising.
We're inside the Institute for Autonomy squat and fairly surrounded by police. they are searching everyone who goes in or out. i went out to photograph and document an illegal search and ended up getting questioned about immigration and passport business. i didn't answer any questions, i just asked if i was being detained and when i got no answer i walked away and they made no attempt to stop me.
Unfortunately, i had brought my notebook, which i handed to another activist who was later detained. apparently the cops stole the notebook. i was stupid to bring the notebook outside but the situation was very different when first went out, there were just two police searching our friend, now there are a few vans full up and down the street. [...] As you can probably tell, i'm a little panicky, since we're sort of trapped inside here. with no place to discuss our next move since then whole building is under surveilance.
INSTITUTE FOR AUTONOMY UPDATE 13:07
There are cops out back now as well and another van in front. if one of you has time to post a quick summary of what's going on here to London Indymedia, please do. We are at the Institue for Autonomy at 76-78 Gower Street.
Okay, a legal team has arrived here. There are about 8 people left in the squat. Some of us have packed up our stuff and are getting ready to leave the building with legal support, as we have to get to the show. as i said before, the police have confiscated a book with lots of important information including all the kids who had signed the Riot-Folk E-mail lists.
The police are talking openly about the fact that these detentions and
searches are directly related to the G8 Summit. They are photographing
everyone who interacts with the space. I am talking to legal now about possibly getting my notebook back but it doesn't sound promising.
Gwen S.
e-mail:
forwardtogwen@gmail.com
Comments
Display the following comment