Friday 25 November 2011 

The "Atos Two" were due in Nottingham Magistrates Court. Bailed for 9.45am a solidarity demo had been called outside at 9.30am.

Unfortunately, on arrival, the Atos Two discovered that their case was not actually listed until 11.30am, leaving them with more than 2.5 hours to kill.

Perhaps 35-40 demonstrators turned up to show their support, a mix of disbility rights campaigners, anti-cuts activists, occupiers, anarchists and even a Labour councillor. For a weekday morning, organised at less than a fortnight's notice, this was (as the defendants noted) an astonishing turnout.

There was an array of media outside the court, print and TV. It turned out, however, that they were not there in relation to the Atos Two, but rather for something far more important - some drunken footballer.

After a brief photo opportunity with the assembled masses, the defendants took the opportunity to thank people for coming before going into court to answer bail. At this juncture, many of the supporters marched off to visit Atos as a rejoinder to the state's attempt to intimidate protesters.

quote: http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2199

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Nottingham Defence Campagin said:

"Trial against the Atos Two to be held from Monday February 27 2012.

Following the solidarity demonstration for the Atos Two, the court hearing was rather brief and without surprises.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The trial will be held on Monday 27th February 2012 from 9.30 at the Magistrates Court to be continued (if necessary) on Tuesday the 28th.

Noticeable was the magistrates' remark that the prosecution might struggle to prove the allegation that Atos staff had been intimidated as he admitted that there had been no sign of any intimidation.

It was annoying that the defendants were messed around a bit regarding the time proceedings were due to start/did actually start, but such things are to be expected.

The Atos Two have asked to thank all those who supported them these last few weeks. The solidarity they experienced has been amazing and is very much appreciated."

Nottingham Defence Campaign invite you to add your support by emailing them at nottsdefence@riseup.net

Statement of Support for the 'Atos Two' 

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2195

Background:

ATOS National Day of Action: Notts contribution

1 http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2051

2 http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2052

Nottingham protest rattles Atos [Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2053

Notttingham's 'Atos Two' Charged [Feature]

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2168

National Day of Action Against Atos 30-09 [UK Feature]

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/10/485679.html

Atos Two solidarity demo

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2199

Atos Two trial in February

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2201

Benefits Claimants Fight Back

http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wordpress.com

Disabled People Against Cuts

http://www.dpac.uk.net

See also NottsDefence on Twitter http://twitter.com/NottsDefence

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ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

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