Cambridge Debating Union Besieged as Eric Pickles Visits.
Cameraboy | 25.05.2011 11:03 | Public sector cuts | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | Cambridge
This is the same man who in 2009 went on the record as claiming expenses for his parent's home, which is just eight miles from his own (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Pickles)!
Shock revelation: Debating Union used for public discourse!
No fees required for this talk!
Surrounded in by the issues!
Making it clear what they think!
The most 'bling' placard ever? Replete with LEDs...
The infamous Pig's head...
A striking resemblance!
All in a pickle.
Minister of cuts...
An interesting juxtaposition...
Weapons of sound!
Activists got this close to the hall...
A noisy lobby in the lobby.
Police turn up...
Ejected!
We have you surrounded!
Another way in..?
Rather brutish behaviour by 'security'...
A last burst of racket before heading off.
And finally...
The second half started when many activists managed to find a way into the building and sneaked into the lobby in front of the hall through a side entrance, then proceeded to continue making loads of noise right in front of the hall (including lots more drumming), with a few people even having a little dance there!
Things started to turn ugly though, ironically not when the police turned up (about half a dozen officers arrived and entered the lobby), but when the privately hired 'security' gaurds started to remove activists from the building, at times using a lot more force than was actually necessary in the context, with one 'security' gaurd even being restrained by two police officers when he got a little too enthusiastic about his job!
After this, activists continued to wander around the building, eventually finding a couple of side entrances down an alleyway, then blockaded them, with others still being very noisy about it.
There was a very brief stalemate situation, then at the top of an outside stairwell, once again the 'security' gaurds were seen to be using extreme force against activists, with one young man having his wrist injured, and another young lady being seen to be first lifted off the ground (this was also about twenty five foot up on the stairwell), then put into an arm lock, by which time it was clear that she was very distressed. Once again, the police were seen to take these private 'security' gaurds to task about their behaviour, and the girl was released and allowed to leave.
All this does beg the question why Cambridge University is being seen to be hiring such thugs and allowing them to perpetrate these crimes on their property, even when there are police present.
These dark episodes aside, the demonstration should be seen to be effective in that it it successfully disrupted the Debating Union meeting and made it clear to Mr. Pickles that the people of Cambridge do not like what he is doing to their public services.
There was a brief lull in the action as activists decided whether to stay until Mr.Pickles left or disperse. It was decided that one last bout of noise would be made then people would go their own separate ways.
As for Mr. Pickles himself, he entered the debating Union building earlier in the evening by a side entrance and was not seen again, as he chose to stay inside the hall for the duration of the meeting.
Another question that should be asked is why the so-called Debating Union keeps insisting on booking such unpleasant characters as Eric Pickles, when they must realise it is likely to provoke an extreme response from local people.
They too should be held to account for their decisions, along with their dubious choice of 'security' team.
Cameraboy
Homepage:
http://www.cambridgeshireagainstthecuts.org.uk/
Comments
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Wicked, keep up the pressure
25.05.2011 11:23
Converter
A Few Clarifications
25.05.2011 12:56
The Union is entirely separate from the University.
"As for Mr. Pickles himself, he entered the debating Union building earlier in the evening by a side entrance and was not seen again, as he chose to stay inside the hall for the duration of the meeting."
This is pretty much standard practice, not specific to this event.
"Another question that should be asked is why the so-called Debating Union keeps insisting on booking such unpleasant characters as Eric Pickles"
From
Joe Bloggs
A platform for everybody then..?
25.05.2011 14:08
This has also included giving a platform to Nazis, as Jean Marie lePen was invited to speak at The Debating Union back in 2003, despite him being banned from pretty much everywhere else in the UK for his views.
This visit was also met with stiff opposition, as a demonstration took place then as well, although nobody managed to gatecrash it back then.
It does seem that this bunch of free speech advocates at 'The Union' also seem to always be desperately seeking attention from the press by booking deliberately sensationalist and over the top speakers.
All a bit sad and childish really.
Cameraboy
Fat
25.05.2011 16:31
Andy
quiet word in your ear
25.05.2011 19:15
All a bit sad and childish really.
This sounds like you don't support free speech and that you feel they shouldn't be allowed.
Therefore you a wannabe authoritarian who is arguing for freedom, which also makes you a hypocrite.
If people want to talk and listen to each other - then let me. Don't go barging in and trying to intimidate people into your way of thinking. Otherwise you might just get a smack in the face one day from someone with little patience with you telling them what they can and can't do.
nostril
Children being attacked (saircase incident)
25.05.2011 19:30
Pain compliance grips were used both on the young lad and the young girl. The young lad was very brave and security used pain compliance quite unnecessarily against him. I spoke to them and told them he would leave voluntarily if released and he did. 2 security scum using pain compliance couldn't move the small young girl who showed extreme bravery I attempted physical intervention at that point but was blocked by a cop who was protecting the 2 violence scum attacking a female child. Eventually one cop stepped in and she was released.
I was very upset to see that only 2 activists attempted to help the 2 secondary school children being attacked by the Security scumbags, there was more than enough people to prevent the attacks especially when it was only 1 Security at the top of the staircase.
Seeing grown adults stand and watch a young girl and young lad, comrades, being attack made me quite angry. This is not a criticism on those that filmed (as this was necessary).
This is also NOT a criticism on any other activist, just an explanation on how I felt. This IS a criticism on the 2 big strong security that use pain compliance on a small young girl!
Activist
security
25.05.2011 21:45
So what you are saying is that it worked and was effective? As opposed to reading the guardian to them and actually not getting anything done with any effectiveness.
>> Pain compliance grips were used both on the young lad and the young girl. The young lad was very brave and security used pain compliance quite unnecessarily against him. I spoke to them and told them he would leave voluntarily if released and he did. 2 security scum using pain compliance couldn't move the small young girl who showed extreme bravery I attempted physical intervention at that point but was blocked by a cop who was protecting the 2 violence scum attacking a female child. Eventually one cop stepped in and she was released.
I can't see what all the fuss is about. We used to do all that kind of thing at school on each other all the time. Kids aren't made of glass.
>> I was very upset to see that only 2 activists attempted to help the 2 secondary school children being attacked by the Security scumbags, there was more than enough people to prevent the attacks especially when it was only 1 Security at the top of the staircase.
Upset!? So you think its just best to let kids do what they want do you?
Hmmm.... would love to see the state of the world with you in charge. It would be seriously fooked up.
>> Seeing grown adults stand and watch a young girl and young lad, comrades, being attack made me quite angry. This is not a criticism on those that filmed (as this was necessary).
But obviously not enough to actually do anything. Therefore not that angry.
>> This is also NOT a criticism on any other activist, just an explanation on how I felt. This IS a criticism on the 2 big strong security that use pain compliance on a small young girl!
As opposed to what? Punching her in the kidney? dragging her by the shoulders? Trying to tempt her away with the copy of the guardian? Being young and female is not a get-out-of-jail-for-free card. I'd love to hear how you think she SHOULD of been shifted?
Might i suggest that you clearly don't know the first thing about security or guarding a property. If you had a job in an airport, I would imagine that every unauthorised person would get through without a problem because you sound so gullible. I would bet you have never been able to move a person who doesn't want to be moved and so are probably the least qualified person to offer advice or judgements on security issues. If people followed your advice, security would be so ineffective it would be laughable.
rosemary
equality laws
25.05.2011 23:27
I would imagine that is it illegal under equality laws to treat two people differently just because of their gender or age.
The fault lies in the law not the security guards.
stoo
@ rosemary
25.05.2011 23:37
No it was ineffective and I have no real problem with the way you treated me, just the children.
>> I can't see what all the fuss is about. We used to do all that kind of thing at school on each other all the time. Kids aren't made of glass.
Yeah but children fighting children is not the same as an adult attacking a child. That is the difference, scumbag. You must have been the sort at school that bullied the little kids or hit girls.
>> Upset!? So you think its just best to let kids do what they want do you?
Hmmm.... would love to see the state of the world with you in charge. It would be seriously fooked up.
No but I could move a child the size and build of those children without any pain compliance and I’m not very strong. Two big strong security guys like you two could easily move them.
I hope you two don't have children if that is how you 'control' them. In my experience all the troublemaking kids have families that 'control' them like that, that is why the world is in this state!
>> But obviously not enough to actually do anything. Therefore not that angry.
What could I do against 2 police and 2 security, on my own? I am not that strong as I admit. I was blocked from intervention when you attacked the little girl by a cop.
>> As opposed to what? Punching her in the kidney? dragging her by the shoulders? Trying to tempt her away with the copy of the guardian? Being young and female is not a get-out-of-jail-for-free card. I'd love to hear how you think she SHOULD of been shifted?
Well allowing everyone to have a quick chat about tactics would have probably been enough knowing the student-type, 'consensus', passive, nicey group you were dealing with – there was no need for any violence on them. But more generally even I could have moved that girl without pain compliance and I am not that strong. One on each arm would have comfortably moved her.
>> Might i suggest that you clearly don't know the first thing about security or guarding a property.
I don't. But I know about being a decent human being and that includes not attacking little girls.
>> If you had a job in an airport, I would imagine that every unauthorised person would get through without a problem because you sound so gullible.
You were not at an airport, you were at a protest with some children and some nice little student types.
>> I would bet you have never been able to move a person who doesn't want to be moved and so are probably the least qualified person to offer advice or judgements on security issues. If people followed your advice, security would be so ineffective it would be laughable.
I attend protests and people sometimes don't like what I am saying and choose to deal with it physically. I deal with them 'promptly and effectively'. I have no problem with that. I have no real problem with how you tried (and failed) to get me down the stairs. But I wouldn't attack children as I can move children their size and build without any pain compliance.
Activist
@ stoo
25.05.2011 23:49
Activist
@Activist
26.05.2011 21:17
Rosemary
awesome
26.05.2011 22:17
/r/osemary
Hello Nostril Troll!
27.05.2011 10:24
Therefore you a wannabe authoritarian who is arguing for freedom, which also makes you a hypocrite."
I fully support free speech, otherwise I wouldn't be posting stories here on Indymedia, would I?
However, the Debating Union do have a track record of booking controversial and often very unpleasant speakers, even when it it must be quite plainly obvious to them that out here in the rest of the city these people are not welcome around these parts.
This suggests that:
a) They don't give a damn about what local people think.This makes them insensitive and arrogant.
b) They are deliberately courting controversy in an attempt to promote themselves in local and national media, regardless of how much offence it causes to the local community.
Besides, by it's very nature, a members (or entrance fee only) club can't really be held up as a shining example of free speech.
Ironically, the speaking that took place on their front lawn during the protest was far more democratic and open, as anyone could come along and be given the megaphone, and you didn't have to pay a fee for the 'privilege' of doing this.
Discourse should not be commodified!
Cameraboy
Response to activist
07.06.2011 13:45
ActivistMiles
e-mail:
miles.curtiswatson@hotmail.com
@ ActivistMiles
09.06.2011 13:25
It was lucky that the security did not cause serious harm to the children and not confronting them is simply trusting them not to do so.
Activist
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