There does appear to be a lot of disappointments regarding this year’s Disarm DSEI Protest Action. The main issues that are being mentioned are the low numbers of people participating and the fragmentation of those that did participate. It is frustrating that the Protest Action was planned over such a long period of time and did not have the outcome that everyone was hoping for. However, it must be mentioned that without the action that was taken, there would have been absolutely no media coverage of this critical issue. So from that perspective, it was a success. Without last week’s demonstrations there would be no torch to pass onto the next one either. That would be the worst case scenario. The people that did participate made it known that society as a whole, still does not accept the existence of the ‘Murder for Profit Organisation’, DSEI. The wider Disarm DSEI Campaign is now faced with working through the factors that contributed to the low numbers and fragmentation of participants. I would like to outline why I feel that the Police are one of the most important factor contributing towards the disappointments.

The level of Police Victimisation throughout the week of Demonstrations was incredibly high. Some people have pointed out that focusing on filling up ‘Police Bingo Cards’ was a distraction from the reason for the Demonstrations. However, it is important to acknowledge that the unacceptable behavior of the police compromised what the wider Disarm DSEI Campaign set out to achieve last week. Their intimidating and brutal behavior scared a lot of people away from joining the Demonstrations. They are also responsible for denying access to those that wanted to enter the legitimate Protest Areas, as well as removing people from them. As a South African, I would like to point out that the tactics used by the police throughout the week, are similar to those used by the police during the Apartheid Era … the mechanisms of a Police State

Before everyone attempts to focus on how to make the next Disarm DSEI Event a success, we have to tackle the issue of the Police and those who are giving them their instructions. No matter how effectively the next Disarm DSEI Campaign is planned, it is going to have similar results if this problem is not dealt with. Treating the symptoms does not illuminate the sickness. A consolidated approach is needed here. I have mentioned in previous articles that I am submitting two specific complaints to New Scotland Yard Complaints Department and the IPCC and intend to initiate legal action in which ever way possible. I also mentioned in previous articles that I am completing a report regarding the Unacceptable Level of Police Victimisation at the legitimate DSEI Demonstrations on the 11/09/2007 and 13/09/2007 and submitting it Ken Livingstone. It will be ready for submission in the beginning of next week. Please feel free to email me if you would like updates regarding the above mentioned.

Previous articles on Indymedia relating to these two complaints and the report mentioned above are:

1. ‘Police Victimisation at the DSEI Demonstration 11/09/2077’
2. ‘SCD43 – Brute of the Day at DSEI Demonstration 11/09/2007’
3. ‘PC1545 - Issuer of Falsified Search Docket at DSEI Demonstration 11/09/2007’
4. ‘Police Disruption at the DSEI Demonstration 13/09/2077 - The Ones That Made
It In’
5. ‘SCD43 – The Dark Side Returns at the DSEI Demonstration 13/09/2077’
6. ‘The Arresting of Gwyn Gwyntopher – 13/09/2007’

In conclusion, thank you to everyone for all the efforts that they made towards the wider Disarm DSEI Campaign & Demonstrations.