Stirling Update - Cops Confused
El Gonzo | 08.07.2005 10:02 | G8 2005
Numbers constantly change, it seems to average around 60 yellow-jackets. To keep things on edge the 'riot' backups are displayed for the masses, just to make sure we know they still exist. Then there's always a healthy number of vans in the background, at least 25 last night.
People can leave, and are, in small numbers. But a police tatic seems to be confusion. Unfortunatly this is also working on the police themselves. In the space of five minutes, depending on which jacket you talk to, you hear 'Scottish Common Law', 'Section 60' and 'Section 13' being cited as the reason to stop and search people on the way in or out. Sometimes names and addresses are demanded, sometimes people wander through the line without a single question. No logic seems to be present, but we never really expected that.
As our group re-entered the site last night, the stop and search was "a condition of entry to the site". When the 'officer' was challenged for looking through paperwork during the search we heard that he was "looking for political material that may cause offence"... I pointed out that 'offence' is a subjective notion... "Don't get smart with me." The discussion ended and the line went back to watching the mobile cinema screen that had been set up for their enjoyment earlier in the evening.
Peaceful vigils are being held in front of the police lines. Last night three minutes silence for everyone (world wide) who died yesterday was respected by all involved. New banners are being painted, the overall feeling seems to be one of peaceful reaction to this restriction of our movements and a non-escalation of violence.
But confusion reigns... Effective actions are hard to implement as the main purpose of the line seems to be breaking up any large groups. The helicopters circle above and the morale of the camp seems to be going in the same direction as the condition the toilets.
El Gonzo
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