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Riot cops at RTF4

wronger | 01.04.2007 00:09 | Anti-militarism | Culture | Free Spaces | London

Reports coming in that riot cops are massing outside Reclaim The Future 4, at 52 Holloway Road, London N7.

Bands and DJs are stillplaying, but it sounds like entry/access is being blocked.

Reports coming in that riot cops are massing outside Reclaim The Future 4, at 52 Holloway Road, London N7.

The local pigs didn't like the idea as soon as they realised what was going to happen at the building. They put a lot of pressure on the fire brigade to block the night taking place, but the fire people were eventually re-assured by the dedication an determination to make the neceesary changes to the building for ther party to gig ahead.

This didn't please the cops at all. So now it seems they are coming in heavy and nasty anyway.

Bands and DJs are stillplaying, but it sounds like entry/access is being blocked.

The event started at 1pm with workshops taking place all day, with constant fine food from 56A cafe people.

More news as it happens!

wronger

Additions

Just got back

01.04.2007 01:18

I got there around 11.15pm and was confronted by around 20 cops (3 cars, 2 vans and a mobile CCTV van with two cameras). A line formed outside the front gates, around 50 people were outside. They were preventing people getting into the main building. Apparent there were between 600 - 800 people already inside. After about 30 minutes more people came, around 100 people if not more. This led to a few pushes and shoves as around 5 vans of TSG (riot pigs) turned up and started laying in to people. Shields and battons were flying around with people attempting to defend themselves with whatever they could. I was dragged by three cops and punched, told to leave the area or be arrested.

Currently as of 1.30am the pigs had blocked off holloway road from near Holloway tube station up until Highbury & islington. Further roads are being put up in the area and whilst I was leaving I saw at least two car loads of plain clothes police arrive about 2 blocks away. A dog unit also arrived and there are around 300 people outside. Alot of people have left.

fuck pigs!


additional info

01.04.2007 02:51

soon it was 7+ vans, cops, dogs...
cops pushing people around.
holloway rd blocked.
at least 2 people arrested.

oh!


Reclaim the future IV

01.04.2007 10:36

We went there in the afternoon and saw the fire inspectors walking around, the CCTV van outside...

some photos of the daytime here:
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasmatika/sets/72157600038736595/

We went back later on to be greeted by a great atmosphere, and a fantastic venue. We were in the back room when the music stopped (breaks room), there was a lot of shouting but we couldn't make out what they were saying, so we went to the gates - there was a lot of riot police outside, no one could get in, or out, so we stayed in until 3:30, the drummers kept everyone happy - the atmosphere was good. Obvioulsy if everyone started to leave then the police would be able to get in more easily, so a lot of people stayed behind while everyone was packing up. I don't think any equipment was lost, unless the police confiscated it when they were leaving in their vans.

By the time we left there about 4 police vans parked outside but no riot police and not a lot of cops around, and Holloway Road was open to traffic again.

Leticia
mail e-mail: iemanja75@googlemail.com


the latest..

01.04.2007 11:35

one of the arrested got released half an hour ago, didnt get charged received though a penalty notice of £80 for behaving disorderly in public (section 5 of the public order act 1986). it looks like the issue will be contested and the case will be heard in the court. the cops were brutal on the arrest looked like he will be done for criminal damage but since there was no damage the cops changed it to section 5. At least 3 more were arrested and detained at islington police station last night from outside the RTF. fuck the pigs

jon


Comments

Display the following 2 comments

  1. Music and dancing — Cromwell
  2. riot cops — mandy