From the beginning, the policing of DSEi protests has been violent, intimidating and repressive. Over the last ten years the police have used kettles, arbitrary and violent arrests, s44 (terrorism act) searches, and targeted harassment of ‘known activists’.

With the Met’s new ‘charm offensive’ it will be interesting to see if much has changed. But no-one is holding their breath. DSEi organisers have issued an open letter to the Met stating that ‘experience of previous DSEi protests has led us to mistrust the police’. The letter also says that the right to protest ‘has to come without interference from the very state we are opposing.’ Disarm DSEi have refused to enter into negotiations with police.

Forward Intelligence Teams (FIT), used by the Met to monitor and control protesters on the ground, have a history of being vindictive, aggressive and violent at Dsei protests.

They have been responsible for serious harassment of individuals, picking people out for stop and searches, unjustifiable arrests, and detention. They have used excessive violence to detain and search people, and to force them to have photographs taken. They have identified people for targeted surveillance, following them around at close quarters for many hours.

Tackling the FIT is not something that can be left to ‘someone else’. We all owe it to ourselves and our friends to resist our own oppression. Turn up to support FITwatch at the Disarm Dsei day of action this Tuesday.


and by the way:

FITwatch are running practical public order training and FITwatching workshops on Monday 7th – location to be announced very soon!

FITwatchers may also be needed on Monday 7th September, when ITT Corporation, the owners of EDO MBM in Brighton, will be sponsoring a conference to welcome the exhibitors and customers to DSEi. Demonstrations start from 8am. Set your alarm!