SHAC supporter arrested at Barclays demo
SHAC Birmingham | 18.04.2009 00:38 | SHAC | Animal Liberation | Repression | Social Struggles | Birmingham
We held another demonstration today against Barclays in Birmingham City Centre for their blood-money investments into the filthy Huntingdon Life Sciences.
A riot van was also on the scene, and one of the supporting teens was unlawfully arrested - in an attempt to scare the newly aware bunch away.
Video of arrest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mhkWmRrgO4
Demo starts like any other
Riot van appears on the scene
First time supporter arrested
Soon into the demonstration we were greeted by a group of teens, who were curious to know more about the demonstration against the bank, once learning about HLS and just what goes on inside there, and how Barclays support the vile company by investing in them - they were eager to get involved and join the SHAC Campaign to close down HLS. Joining in with our protest the noise was taken up another knotch outside the bank and more members of the public came over to ask about the campaign.
Soon to show up were the police who once again insisted we could not use the megaphone, contrary to our last demo when we were visited by a Duty Inspector who told us we could. After spurring several "ideas" of theirs to why we could not use the megaphone, including "this week is a different week to last week" and "there is a different duty officer working today" - clearly they believe they can make up the law as they go along. Their next idea was to say we couldn't use it due to section 5, more lies.
As we refused to stop using the megaphone, stating we were in our legal rights to use one on the demonstration - they then decided to threaten us with arrest and confiscation of the megaphone. However when questioned in more detail about the section in relation to what they were saying they, literally, went on their bikes.
A riot van was also on the scene, and one of the supporting teens was unlawfully arrested - in an attempt to scare the newly aware bunch away. Thankfully they seemed more angered at the police for this action than scared of them.
See you again very soon Barclays, until you cut your ties with HLS.
SHAC Birmingham
e-mail:
info@shac.net
Homepage:
http://www.shac.net
Additions
Update on arrested person
18.04.2009 16:20
The lad was arrested for taking an interest in the demo, he and his friends were standing around expressing disgust at the fact that Barclays are supporting HLS.
At the time of his arrest, the group of teens had moved from the bank across the road to continue watching the demo, in the vid you can see the law crossing the road to harass the teens and make the arrest.
The law claimed he had kicked the door of Barclays which neither I nor any of the non-demoing bystanders witnessed, which is why the law refused to take any details or statements from the witnesses!
It is without doubt a blatant attempt to dissuade people from getting involved in legitimate protests.
Dave
Comments
Hide the following 8 comments
Building their ASBO case
18.04.2009 08:19
Clearly SHAC are still in the firing line for NETCU
vegancps
Arrest
18.04.2009 09:15
Was he put off by the police or has this bit of police stupidity actually had the opposite effect?
Respect!
SHACtivist
More info on arrest
18.04.2009 10:54
During a regular demo outside Barclays Birmingham (due to their support for Huntingdon Life Sciences) a group of teenagers came to find out what the demo was about. The police were called, they arrested one teenager for alleged criminal damage (kicking the door of Barclays) which he didn't do, then refused to take details of bystanders who were witnesses to the non-crime.
This was a blatant attempt by the police to harass the teenagers who were eager to find out more about Barclays links to HLS (which has been exposed countless times for routine cruelty to animals) and yet another attempt to stop the campaign against HLS.
After the teenager was arrested, the police refused to take details or statements from the many bystanders who had witnessed the demo and the non-crime.
The police then seized the videotape of the action in an attempt to stop the truth being shown.
The video link below shows the police refusing to take witness details/statements and then telling the demonstrators lies - ie that the use of a megaphone on a demo is illegal under the Public Order Act.
Two complaints have been sent to the IPCC - one for the non-taking of witness details and the other for lying about the use of a megaphone being illegal under the Public Order Act.
veganarchist
Powers the Police May Use
18.04.2009 11:48
Details the offences being committed.
ACAB
banner displayed?
18.04.2009 19:04
(we did btw)
cheers
carlisle
Banners
18.04.2009 19:54
Dave
Well it depends on how you read it....
18.04.2009 20:09
"(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he:
(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby."
This offence has the following statutory defences:
(1) The defendant had no reason to believe that there was any person within hearing or sight who was likely to be alarmed or distressed by his action.
(2) The defendant was in a dwelling and had no reason to believe that his behaviour would be seen or heard by any person outside any dwelling.
(3) The conduct was reasonable.
Your sign can't really be described as threatening or abusive - so is it insulting? Only the District Judge would be able to say.
veganCPS
Arrested teen - update
17.07.2009 15:29
Dave