'Freedom To Protest' Demonstration, 18th May, Edinburgh
Alex Khab | 13.05.2008 13:21 | Repression | Social Struggles | Terror War
A peaceful demonstration is planned to assert our right to freely protest without fear. It will be held at 12pm on the 18th of May at Parliament Square, as a response to the campaign of harassment and intimidation which Lothian and Borders Police is directing at peaceful protsters in Edinburgh. Such repression violates human rights and, if it continues, it will stifle popular participation in civil society. The demonstration is also in solidarity with the dozens of working class people who are oppressed by the Edinburgh 'justice' system every day.
Police Harrasment in Edinburgh
On 15th April five people in the political performance art group, Edinburgh Rebel Clowns, were surrounded by police at a demonstration against the use of biofuels [1] and detained for questioning; they were investigating numerous protests that they claimed had happened in Edinburgh over the previous months. They were later charged with a 'breach of the peace' for behaving like clowns at the biofuels demonstration, despite eye witnesses reporting that they were friendly and entertaining.
While they were in custody, one woman was singled out, interviewed for two hours and kept in solitary confinement. When she was returned to the cell with her friends, she started vomiting From stress.
Sophie Bastable, 20, an Edinburgh University student and member of the rebel clown group said "We were targeted for no apparent reason other than dressing up as clowns and having political opinions. We had no idea that participating in a peaceful demonstration against biofuels could result in arbritrary arrest, and were shocked when we were detained without warning by lothian and borders police."
Today, the 12th May, Peter Wyszomirfki a 27 year old artist and Edinburgh resident was physically assaulted, and went to the police to report it: "After giving my statement another officer came into the room, he was very intimidating and accusatory saying: I know you, you were at the protest at the Quartermile [2]. He showed me photographs and asked me loads of questions about people and events that I knew nothing about. He also said that the clowns are dangerous people, and that I shouldn't join them".
There have also been several early morning detentions of environmental campaigners. On Friday march 28th, three individuals were detained for questioning at the same time; they were woken up, and taken from their bedrooms with only just enough time to get dressed, then held and questioned for four and a half hours.
Oliver Munnion, 23, an Environmental Science student at Edinburgh University said "it's important to remind the police that they are public servants, and accountable for their actions. Their tactics of intimidation are reminiscent of more oppressive regimes."
Several environmental campaigners have been contacted by the police and offered money in exchange for information about past and future demonstrations in Edinburgh.
Our Demands
Not only are the Police acting in a way which contradicts their obligations to Article 10, and Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights; they are suppressing political protest, and if such activities continue, there will be detrimental consequences for popular participation in civil society.
In light of this we have the following demands:
* We demand that the Lothian and Borders Police end the intimidation of peaceful protests.
* We demand that harassment in the guise of 'evidence gathering' is stopped.
* We demand that our human right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association be respected.
* We demand that people in police custody are treated with respect and dignity
We make these demands in solidarity with millions of people around the world whose rights are infringed upon by unjust governments and oppressive police forces; and in solidarity with the dozens of working class people every day who are subjected to the violence of Edinburgh's 'justice' system, people who are treated without dignity or respect by the police or the court.
We call upon every freedom loving person to come out and demonstrate at 12pm on the 18th of May at Parliament Square [3], to assert our freedom to protest, and to ensure that these rights are not eroded by aggressive policing.
Notes
[1] a fuel source which is contributing to famine and environmental devastation in the developing world
[2] A peaceful protest, raising awareness about the problems that supermarkets such as Sainsbury's have on the local economy and on the environment.
[3] Parliament square is located just off Edinburgh's royal mile, near High St, and the City Chambers.
On 15th April five people in the political performance art group, Edinburgh Rebel Clowns, were surrounded by police at a demonstration against the use of biofuels [1] and detained for questioning; they were investigating numerous protests that they claimed had happened in Edinburgh over the previous months. They were later charged with a 'breach of the peace' for behaving like clowns at the biofuels demonstration, despite eye witnesses reporting that they were friendly and entertaining.
While they were in custody, one woman was singled out, interviewed for two hours and kept in solitary confinement. When she was returned to the cell with her friends, she started vomiting From stress.
Sophie Bastable, 20, an Edinburgh University student and member of the rebel clown group said "We were targeted for no apparent reason other than dressing up as clowns and having political opinions. We had no idea that participating in a peaceful demonstration against biofuels could result in arbritrary arrest, and were shocked when we were detained without warning by lothian and borders police."
Today, the 12th May, Peter Wyszomirfki a 27 year old artist and Edinburgh resident was physically assaulted, and went to the police to report it: "After giving my statement another officer came into the room, he was very intimidating and accusatory saying: I know you, you were at the protest at the Quartermile [2]. He showed me photographs and asked me loads of questions about people and events that I knew nothing about. He also said that the clowns are dangerous people, and that I shouldn't join them".
There have also been several early morning detentions of environmental campaigners. On Friday march 28th, three individuals were detained for questioning at the same time; they were woken up, and taken from their bedrooms with only just enough time to get dressed, then held and questioned for four and a half hours.
Oliver Munnion, 23, an Environmental Science student at Edinburgh University said "it's important to remind the police that they are public servants, and accountable for their actions. Their tactics of intimidation are reminiscent of more oppressive regimes."
Several environmental campaigners have been contacted by the police and offered money in exchange for information about past and future demonstrations in Edinburgh.
Our Demands
Not only are the Police acting in a way which contradicts their obligations to Article 10, and Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights; they are suppressing political protest, and if such activities continue, there will be detrimental consequences for popular participation in civil society.
In light of this we have the following demands:
* We demand that the Lothian and Borders Police end the intimidation of peaceful protests.
* We demand that harassment in the guise of 'evidence gathering' is stopped.
* We demand that our human right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association be respected.
* We demand that people in police custody are treated with respect and dignity
We make these demands in solidarity with millions of people around the world whose rights are infringed upon by unjust governments and oppressive police forces; and in solidarity with the dozens of working class people every day who are subjected to the violence of Edinburgh's 'justice' system, people who are treated without dignity or respect by the police or the court.
We call upon every freedom loving person to come out and demonstrate at 12pm on the 18th of May at Parliament Square [3], to assert our freedom to protest, and to ensure that these rights are not eroded by aggressive policing.
Notes
[1] a fuel source which is contributing to famine and environmental devastation in the developing world
[2] A peaceful protest, raising awareness about the problems that supermarkets such as Sainsbury's have on the local economy and on the environment.
[3] Parliament square is located just off Edinburgh's royal mile, near High St, and the City Chambers.
Alex Khab
Comments
Hide the following 14 comments
farting about or...?
13.05.2008 13:46
But calling being put in a police cell on your own "solitary confinement" seems naive or over-egging it, especially when we've got SO many freedoms compared to so many, and are not risking our lives to protest.
And you will be interviewed at length if you don't just say "NO COMMENT" - 80% of convictions are based on the evidence you give about yourself or others in your interview.
People do get wrongly arrested all the time, and unfortunately if you dissent & get off your arse to do something, ie take ACTION, then you will get harrassed & arrested by the police, and they will likely offer people money or benefits for info. They act in a political manner and suppress the right to protest, freedom of expression etc. So I hope you take this as words of solidarity, but also not to cry wolf when he's just trodden on your toe, or if you do, to communicate it in proportion to what can and does happen here and in other parts of the world.
The people getting woken up and taken in for questioning sounds perhaps more serious, though hard to tell without more info; 4 and a half hours...!! FUCKING NO COMMENT, for your own good!
Also, "political performance art group", or demonstrators, don't have it both ways (in the same press release!), and don't be scared off of protest and direct action - that's what the polis want.
a serious world
Calimero
13.05.2008 15:33
There has been some horrendous breaches of civil liberties in Scotland that have went unprotested in Edinburgh, such as young muslims locked away forever for looking at intenet sites, but this case has to be the worst. An upper-class girl being made to cry by working-class officers ? Being locked in a room alone for a day ? It is unconsciencable. Morningside tearooms are in open revolt. I'll bet you £30 you can't get thirty people at your demo.
Now if there's a smile on my face
It's only there trying to fool the public
But when it comes down to fooling you
Now honey that's quite a different subject
But don't let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
Cos really I'm sad, Oh I'm sadder than sad
Well I'm hurt and I want you so bad
Like a clown I appear to be glad ooh yeah
Well they're some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than
The tears of a clown when there's noone around
Oh yeah, baby baby, oh yeah baby baby
Now if I appear to be carefree
It's only to camouflage my sadness
And honey to shield my pride I try
To cover this hurt with a show of gladness
But don't let my show convince you
That I've been happy since you
Cos I need to go, oh I need you so
Look I'm hurt and I want you to know
For others I put on a show ...
Just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my surface hid
Smiling in the crowd I try
But in a lonely room I cry
The tears of a clown
When there's noone around, oh yeah, baby baby
Now if there's a smile on my face
Don't let my glad expression
Give you the wrong impression
Don't let this smile I wear
Make you think that I don't care
Cos really I'm sad...
Danny
Good Job
13.05.2008 16:29
The ‘no comment’ rule is of course vital (as I’m sure you already know). But generally don’t be intimidated. Keep up the fight.
Also, get to know the law and know when the cops are not following it, if you can quote stuff at them it can help. As I’m sure you are aware a basic knowledge of UN human rights is not good enough, you should know about Section 14, when you need to give details, etc.
GOOD WORK PEOPLE!
Solidarity
The special secret knowledge of Danny
14.05.2008 17:53
I'm not aware of anything from the Fuck the War Coalition's reports that refers to them "hitting" residential property. The US embassy and Selex, yes, but please share the link that contains this incident.
If it has not been claimed by the FTWC: is this allegation coming from the police, or from yourself?
Fuck the Innuendo Coalition
My 'special secret knowledge'
15.05.2008 00:18
A bit after that I attended an avowedly peaceful Edinburgh anarchist demo. Being anything but organised I arrived late with a car-load. I was meant to be picking up more people but when I arrived late two folk who had showed up on time were being arrested for failing to give their names and addresses. I gave my name and address as the organiser and tried to defuse the situation, and tried to get some information from the cops. I also know a cop - I know them quite well. I'd confess a crime to them before I'd confess it on IM anymore because I'm only get asked about IM or TP stuff at the police-station.
Danny
there is no secret knowledge
16.05.2008 13:27
What "avowedly peaceful Edinburgh anarchist demo" where "two folk who had showed up on time were being arrested for failing to give their names and addresses" are you referring to? The police will arrest people for not giving name/address/place of birth/date of birth - it is a legal requirement to give this info to police in Scotland.
I think that Danny is just speculating based on no evidence what so ever.... he is not connected to the activist scene in Edinburgh at all, (I havn't seen him at any demonstrations in the year and a half since i moved to Edinburgh) and so i believe that he has no useful information or insight into this situation.
My take on the situation is that there have been a dozen pixie actions in edinburgh for the last six months, be that mung-beaning SUV's (they got an evening news reporter, and it made a huge fuss!), D-Locking petrol pumps, smashing army recruitment office windows, graffitting MP's offices etc. that get attention in the local press, and there have been no arrests or convictions for these actions. There appears to be several cells of anarchist vandals in Edinburgh still at large!
This is very embarrassing for the Lothian and Borders Police, and so they are trying very hard to get information that could lead to a conviction through detentions for questioning, trying to get paid informants, and aggressive intelligence gathering at demonstrations.
There has also been a new chief-constable who has joined the Lothian and Borders Police last year, formerly of the MET, and this might explain why there is a more hard-line approach to protests in Edinburgh, although it might not be an important change.
Solidarity,
Edinburgh Activist
The Enid Blyton Book of Activism
17.05.2008 01:36
None of that is new. You are going to hold a protest for your right to protest at a time when the parliament is closed, in fancy dress.
If you want to ask me a question and not refer to me in the third person then I'd perhaps be inclined to answer, otherwise you can search for the report here yourself. It was the first demo I've seen anyone just standing around on the street getting arrested before the demo for not giving details in case a crime was later committed in this area - this is the equivalent of SUS and just doesn't happen.. We were treated as if we were about to kick off, met by the organisations security and at the end really thanked profusely for 'keeping it peaceful'. It was such a bizarre and unexpected reaction to that demo that I tried to find out why. I have rather longer than one and half experience around here but what you see as the Edinburgh activist scene I see as an amateur dramtics society.
In the time you have been In Edinburgh someone was convicted of terrorism because of internet sites he'd looked at, and your scene never protested about civil liberties then. Local mosques were burned down while you shopped for mung beans. NATO hosted a conference on Afghanistan and it wasn't hit. Grangemouth shut down and no one took advantage - that was a once-in-a-life opportunity, Grangemouth doesnt just shut.
The 'pixie actions' do get in the local press, they are publicity actions but it isn't good press. In fact it is all bad press. To be honest there are kids in my street who commit as much damage, and their graffiti is better too. They haven't been caught either and the police aren't under any pressure to catch them. Even with actions, if it isn't a publicity action then you won't necessarily know anything about it. As for the police blaming it on the consulates upper-class neighbors getting frightened, I believe the cop believed that That doesn't mean it was the real motivation of whoever ordered it, but you said yourself the embarrassment of not having arrested anyone. Maybe they are staking territory now that MI5 up here is being expanded, who knows.
Danny
Damage caused under a reasonable belief of right is not criminal
17.05.2008 02:44
"
Malicious mischief consists in the wilful, wanton, and malicious destruction of, or damage to, the property of another person. There must be malice, either actual or inferred, on the part of the perpetrator, as destruction or damage caused by accident, or under a reasonable belief of right, is not criminal.
One main difference between this and the offence of vandalism is that with vandalism there must be damage to actual property, whereas with malicious mischief, financial damage brought about by a criminal act would suffice.
If the value is particularly high however, the common law crime of malicious mischief may be more competent as punishment can be greater. Attempted vandalism may be a competent charge if there has not been damage or destruction of property."
Danny
Right of reply surely
17.05.2008 20:33
>You have been banned from the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh
I was banned for being sexist at ACE, after giving them a supply of Ani DiFranco CDs and White Ribbon badges before anyone there had seen a White Ribbon and while they considered Ani 'pap'. I was drunk after a close feminist friend died of breast cancer, and I told a girl who had talked over everyone at ACE meeting the night before - for five fucking hours- that she talked too much in a stupid email after she had sent me a flirtatious email. This was deemed sexist - on my part. I was banned after I left, and after being refused a chance to apologise or explain. That had nothing to do with the incident though and everything to do with ACEs affiliation with LibCom SWPers. To me personally, the most damaging thing was I had trusted a woman I shouldn't have. It was a political campaign best expressed by the fact that I had already said I wasn't visiting them again.
>and kicked out of Trident Ploughshares for being an ignorant and offensive person,
I was never in TP, I just helped out. Nobody has ever told me I was banned from TP. I was told by Ludd that he'd prefer it if I didn't go by Peaton Glen Woods again, after I'd said I wouldn't. If you have links to them then you are fucked.
>who has threatened to kill someone while they sleep.
I did introduce a IM punter called MI5 to TP who does in fact seem to be MI5. Presumably it is him I am meant to want to kill in his sleep. Tell, him, I'd never give him the pleasure. He will have every chance to defend himself. You do realise you are defending at best a man who has admitted here he thinks it is okay when he beats teenage girls ? The claims against me keep getting weirder, I guess it works on the 'shit sticks' principle. First, I was grassed up to the cops for wanting to burn down Labour party buildings before the Scottish election. They took my sick parents into questioning threatening to raid the home for terrorist gear. That took some defusing.
Second, next time the police call to my parents house when I'm not there they have evidence I am a terrorist, a rapist,a murderer and a nazi graffiti artist.
Security researchers have devised a rootkit capable of covertly monitoring and controlling Cisco routers.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/15/router_rootkit/
Danny
Freedom to Protest pictures
18.05.2008 12:23
Freedom to what ?
So, after getting a proposal for a demo promoted in advance on Indymedia - and having all the resources of the 'scene' behind it - how many people turned up ?
Here is a photo from the demo. That is 'An Edinburgh Resident', wearing their cloak of invisibility, and all their imaginary friends.
Now you live in Edinburgh, you probably want some help translating what people are saying to you o the streets. When someone calls you a numpty doughball heidtheba bawbag it isn't a compliment.
Danny
C'mon, pictures
18.05.2008 12:59
Danny
Free Bet
18.05.2008 13:13
Danny
ACE
18.05.2008 14:47
But they never apologised for making that accusation. Thanks for reminding me of that.
Danny
interesting
02.06.2008 20:15
I am interested in becoming more politically active in Edinburgh, but I have no idea where to start or who to meet up with. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Danny, your picture is not of Parliament Square, but the Parliament Building. The protest location is just in front of St Giles Cathedral. I don't see the value of challenging the success of the protest with your Free Bet.
Moravis
e-mail: myapollocandybar@hotmail.co.uk