Activist arrested while trying to give tree protester water

An activist is arrested for "on suspicion of littering" while trying to throw Gabriel, the Bonn Square tree protester, some water.

At about 2 AM on Sunday morning two activists went to Bonn Square to try to give the fenced-off tree protester, Gabriel, some water. As one distracted the security, the other tried to throw a bottle to Gabriel, but unfortunately it wasn't a very good throw ;)

Police sitting in a nearby car quickly noticed and the bottle-thrower was arrested "on suspicion of littering". Fortunately only about 3 hours was spent at the police station before the activist was released without charge - the police seemed to have changed their mind and decided it wasn't a prosecutable offence.

The arrestee was advised by a solicitor that whilst the arrest was potentially unlawful, pursuing legal action would likely only result in a different charge such as "public disorder". An IPCC complaint may be made.

Jon

Comments

Hide the following 6 comments

Ludicrous

13.01.2008 16:10

That is clearly absurd. I would also lodge a formal complaint with the Council if I were you - and I would be happy to ask a question at the next session of Full Council about it, if the activist concerned would like.

My contact details are available at www.oxford.gov.uk

Cheers,

Councillor Matt Sellwood

Matt S

Dodgy advice!

13.01.2008 16:15

"The arrestee was advised by a solicitor that whilst the arrest was potentially unlawful, pursuing legal action would likely only result in a different charge such as "public disorder""

The solicitor's advice stinks.

Responding to legal action by bringing trumped up charges will more likely increase the payout.

I'd suggest approaching a firm which specialises in litigation against the police.

Lord Justice Sourface

Don't stand for this nonsense

13.01.2008 17:13

This is a blatant case of harassment and intimidation. False arrest, false imprisonment and, if trumped up charges were brought, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, wasting public resources and court time, discrimination and breach of the CPS's own guidelines. A complaint to the IPCC should be a minimum. Let them get away with this kind of nonsense and things will only get worse for activists everywhere. By the way, if any charges are brought, don't accept a caution.

Independent Police Complaints Commission -

http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/complainants.htm
Bindmans Solicitors (human rights specialists) - 020 7833 4433

http://www.bindmans.com/

Tired of repression

Thanks

13.01.2008 18:35

Thanks for your input guys. I am looking into my options and will definitely try to pursue this somehow. I will of course post any developments to Indymedia.

Jon

jeeez...

13.01.2008 21:07

...this keeps getting more and more ridiculous.

x

videos show police arrest policy

20.01.2008 23:02

Police were caught on camera threatening to arrest anyone throwing food or water to Gabriel:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2008/01/389831.html

This was not a case of one or two cops being petty; it was part of a concious policy of depriving Gabriel of food and water as a way of cutting short the protest and avoiding the expense of a full-scale eviction.

squirrelface