Caravan and March to Climate Camp 3-8-08

Doug. | 03.08.2008 21:13 | Climate Camp 2008 | Climate Chaos

The March began in Rochester where it was was joined by the Caravan.

Gathering in Rochester

Several speakers using a pedal powered PA

FIT photographer in Rochester

March over Rochester bridge

Mass searches in car park

Search at Camp entrance

Entrance blocked to prevent return of police

Caravan and March approaching the Camp.

Before the start of the March in Rochester there were several inspiring speakers and curious local onlookers. The March got under way with a large police presence, including a FIT photographer and a very loud helicopter. Back at the Camp searches were taking place in a nearby car park and again at the entrance to the site. The reason given on my written search report, aka 'pink slip', was “Information of criminal intent Climate Camp” and the power given was 'Section 1'. Having a pink slip avoided the second search and should be demanded from the police when searched. You don't have to give your name and address.

At around 5pm the police left the Camp entrance, which was quickly blocked by a temporary barrier of wheelie bins, to stop the cops returning, but the mass searches down the road continued. Finally, the Caravan and March approached the Camp just as it started to rain.

Doug.

Additions

The Searchers.

04.08.2008 05:53

A sample view of searches of being carried out. As one cop who searched me said, "I don't like a camera right in my face". Tough! We get photographed all the time by their workmates in the Forward Intelligence Team. Blame it on the bosses.

Reports elsewhere list the sort of items they are looking for but there can be little doubt the aim is to cause maximum inconvenience as a means of repressing political dissent while not appearing to be doing so. It would be foolish to be carrying a knife of any sort in the present climate of opinion, and a d-lock has several uses, but be prepared to have your crayons and ball point pens confiscated and have to wait in a long-queue. Maybe a good opportunity to create a sort of friendly festive gathering while waiting?

Doug

stop and search legal info

04.08.2008 15:29

Hi!

you do not have to give your name and address unless you are the driver of a motor vehicle at that time

look at the bust card for further details:

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/massaction

and go to the legal training on the camp site and consider assisting by being a legal observer so you can let others know they don't have to give their details and other rights :D

their is also the activist legal project with loads more stuff:

www.activistslegalproject.org.uk

Take care everyone and come to the camp even if just for the day xx

camper

Comments

Hide the following 6 comments

Ooops!

03.08.2008 21:21

The March on the bridge photo somehow didn't get resized. Sorry.

Doug.

fixed

03.08.2008 23:29

No worries Doug, I've just fixed it. Thanks for the nice pictures and so quickly uploaded ;-)

wietse

Leason learnt

04.08.2008 00:40

Nice to see Doug anonymising pictures (even when it appears irrelevant and unnecessary) after last years inconsiderate publications.

?
mail e-mail: ?

Really? Lesson learned?

04.08.2008 05:27

It certainly wasn't my lesson. I anonymised some of my pictures last year, even though many didn't. Problem was, a couple of people who gave me permission to video them later withdrew that permission after publication. Obviously you can't ask permission of everyone in a large crowd. My view is that the paranoid few who don't want to appear in pictures should disguise themselves, because they will be photographed and videoed by the cops and CCTV anyway. Get used to it! You live in a repressive, surveillance society but not everyone with a camera is your enemy.

Doug

I agree....

04.08.2008 06:27

People who are truly worried about recognition should where disguises... and if you really have an issue with it, join fitwatch or fell some cctv cameras. Further still, simply don't come... Being part of the Climate Camp this year is about showing your face, being counted etc.

Police surveillance is partly about making you paranoid - making fearful of the consequences of your actions... don't let it.

The video activists that are trying to 'be the media' are NOT your enemy. People on the outside would only get the corporate view if it wasn't for them... Learn to love your local video activist, they're are on your side.

;-)

video activist groupie

Name and address?

04.08.2008 12:39

Do you really not have to give your name and address? I thought you could be nicked for refusing to do so when ordered. Does anyone know for sure?

Psuedonym