UK Promoted Newswire Archive
4 More Unions Vote YES to Strike on 30th November
15-11-2011 00:27
4 more unions announced positive ballot results for strike action over pensions today – FDA and Prospect, who both represent civil servants, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the Society of Radiographers.
11/11/11. Report and photos: Alternative Armistice Day Event, London
14-11-2011 14:17
More photos from Friday's Census court hearing and Remembrance
13-11-2011 23:19
Occupy Leeds!
12-11-2011 02:55
Leeds now has an occupation! City Square, opposite the swanky Queens Hotel, right in the middle of the financial district.
Leeds now has an occupation! City Square, opposite the swanky Queens Hotel, right in the middle of the financial district.
Wrap up warm, and if you're heading there and want to bring us something nice, here's our wish list:
Things already on this list http://www.occupyleeds.co.uk/wish-list/#comment-38
PLUS:
Ready made banners - it's a bit wet to do much banner making on site at the moment and there's loads of space for banners, so please make and bring your own!
Whiteboard pens (without which the whiteboard is less useful...)
Tarpaulin/groundsheets
Umbrellas
Water and water containers (Rain doesn't count. No more rain please.)
Rope, e.g. polyprop.
Hand sanitiser
Plastic crates, especially with lids, for storage
Chopping boards
Entertainment, e.g. a deck of cards, a radio, some board games
See you there :-)
Occupy Cardiff not allowed to Occupy
11-11-2011 22:27
'Total policing' methods stop the setting up of Occupy Cardiff.Full article | 2 additions | 8 comments
11/11/11: Census refuser Judith Sambrook in court. Report from Wrexham
11-11-2011 19:11
N9: Pics of moment undercover cops arrest protester
11-11-2011 17:03
Nov9 The final kettle, arrests and dispersal
11-11-2011 14:55
The little told story of the 20 or so people arrested at the end of the Nov9 student anti-cuts demonstration. They were prevented from dispersing, not allowed to head to the OccupyLSX occupation at St. Paul's, kettled, then all arrested - before being taken to Farringdon tube, where they were all processed filmed and released having been de-arrested and told they could not return to the area for 24 hrs.
There's one set of photos on demotix by Richard Rowland:
http://www.demotix.com/news/918766/student-protesters-kettled-arrested-then-taken-tube-station
Below is an account published as a comment on another article - i'd be interested to see any other pics, films, or accounts of what happened.
The final kettle:
It was infuriating having to move when and where the police decided, because I was "obstructing them" if I stopped. And then having to stop when I really didn't want to, for the same reason.
But the final kettle was unbelievable:
the last of the protesters were leaving Moorgate the same way we'd arrived, again in a mobile cordon and with all the side exits closed. As we reached the Museum, people wanted to walk down to St Paul's, but were prevented from doing so.
Then, somewhere in Newgate St, our herders finally lost it and suddenly very impatient shouts of DISPERSE DISPERSE started coming from all directions.
People were incredulous, because there was nowhere to disperse and we were all trying to keep up with the speedy pace of march imposed by the police. When we reached the General Demolition sign in Holborn Viaduct, there was a small opening in the Snow Hill road blockade and the quickest managed to leave the cordon through there. On seeing that, a livid sweaty commander ran towards it shouting CONTAINMENT and YOU ARE ALL ARRESTED. At first it seemed a joke. Nobody had any idea what law they were meant to have broken.
Turned out the Section 12 was in force, even though the officer asked couldn't quite explain what that meant. He did agree that there had been no threat of serious public disorder.
The contained students, about 20 unlucky ones, were only conspicuous because of being kettled by ridiculous numbers of police.
Then they were marched through the busy Farringdon St, blocking the rush hour traffic and causing unprecendented congestion at Farringdon tube station. Commuters had to be redirected from the main station entrance and some were heard enquiring whether it was safe to use the tube, obviously worried this was about a terrorist attack. Then slowly, in the full view of the perplexed commuters, most of whom had probably never witnessed anything like it, the protesters were photographed one by one inside the station, before being sent away on a train, with a 24-hour ban.
Poultry Liberated
11-11-2011 13:15
Nov9 Occupy Trafalgar Square Attempt
10-11-2011 20:55
During the day we were aware of the setting up of a new camp at Trafalgar Square. Several members of St Paul’s and LFS packed a bunch of tents, set off for Trafalgar and started a new camp. Around 25 tents were pitched. This was parallel to, but not as part of the student protest. This was a unilateral action to further spread the Occupation of London.
One of the guy's in the videos linked below is Leon. He was part of the rescue party for those of us arrested at Parliament on the 5th November. He arrived with a great crew of people with food, cigarettes, water (the protest essentials). His big warm smile and cuddles were an absolute delight to come out to. Leon had been disappointed at the time that he had not made his stand that night.
Well, Leon. You more than made up for that yesterday my friend. Within hours, the police encircled the camp in vast numbers, and proceeded to break it up forcibly. The videos linked below give you some idea of the scenes that took place. There you see Leon pinned to the floor by several officers, face down.
Pictures of the Trafalgar Square Eviction [ 1 | 2 | 3 ]
Video: Protesters dragged off, camp closed | Protesters try to resist police
Rescue Party
A bunch of us declared at General Assembly that the arrested needed support, as they had given us just a few days before. We took a cab to Kilburn station first, where a group of 5 stayed to wait for one of the arrested. A couple of us went on to Catford Police Station where 12 were held, including Leon. We took sandwiches, tobacco, water, and were ready to cuddle.
After being arrested at 3pm, the first of the arrested was released on bail at 11.45pm. He had his possessions, including his shoes and clothes, removed for evidence and was released in thin jogging bottoms, a jumper and daps, with no money into unfamiliar streets just before midnight in November. We ran over and gave him a big hug, a sandwich and a much needed smoke. He told us all about being dragged, watching Leon being harassed and treated in a heavy handed way by the police, of being kept in the police vans driving around for hours.
I left shortly after midnight for the last train home, with a group of six more people from Finsbury Square en route for the night shift. By 3am, only 4 had been released and the custody sergeant informed them that no one else would be released until 8am.
At time of writing, we are still awaiting the release of further arrested members of the short lived Occupy Trafalgar Square.
Read more here.
Fortnum and Mason occupation trial begins
10-11-2011 20:55
Today was the first day of the trial of those still being prosecuted for the occupation of Fortnum and Mason during the massive anti cuts demonstrations on March26th 2011.
Report from the court room by an anonymous defendant:
http://fortnum145.org/2011/11/10/first-day-at-trial/
Nerve racking morning, early start, with all the anticipation of an 8 months wait since being arrested but a big relief to finally be getting going on this.
The first day started off at fast pace, getting through the prosecutions opening statement and 4 witnesses, cross examined by the prosecution and the defence.
We began with an attempt by the prosecution to amend the charge, practically admitting that the case they had against us was weak and trying to reduce it to a lesser charge. The Judge, DJ Snow, explaining that this is way too late in the day for amendments refused this change! We then swiftly moved on for the prosecution to outline their case and called 4 witnesses, all staff of Fortnum and Mason.
Sitting in the dock behind the glass is not a great feeling, and it seems to me that the politicians and heads of business who collude to dodge £billions in tax whilst ripping apart our health service and education should be here rather than us, but feeling good about my actions 8 months ago and proud to stand up against this in court.
See below for pre trial press release from the campaign, and also an open letter to Simon Pountain, Commander of the Public Order Command of the MET police, following the letters that were sent out to people allegedly involved in the F&M occupation warning them off attending the Nov9 protests.
http://fortnum145.org
FORTNUM AND MASON TRIAL BEGINShttp://fortnum145.org/2011/11/09/fortnum-and-mason-trial-begins/
Tommorrow, 10 UK Uncut activists begin their three week trial at Westminster Magistrates Court over their alleged involvement in a tax avoidance protest inside Fortnum and Mason.
Of the 145 people originally arrested at the luxury store on March 26 this year, 29 face trials which will be conducted by the courts in three separate groups, ending in March next year.
The Crown Prosecution Service have charged all the defendants with Aggravated Trespass, alleging that each had an “intention to intimidate”[1].
Across the three weeks of this first trial Chief Police Officers will be cross examined and the defence are expected to challenge their controversial decision to use ‘mass arrest’ tactics. Information will be revealed about the alleged misleading of protesters by the police [2] and claims that arrests were made for intelligence gathering purposes [3], as part of what the protestors brand ‘political policing’.
Adam Ramsay, defendant, says:
“Unlike after the Wall St Crash, not one of the bankers who destroyed our economy in 2008 has faced trial. yet I am in court today for asking a company to pay the tax they owe so that my local library won’t be shut. Is this justice for the 99%?”
Nancy Jones, mother of a defendant says:
“I’m proud of my son for making a stand against the unnecessary government cuts, but i’m horrified that he’s now being put on trial for it! Isn’t the government’s decision to shut down libraries and youth centres a bigger crime than sitting in a shop and protesting about it?”
Jenny Rawlings, defendant, says:
“Going through this process of being arrested and now facing trial has made me feel that our so called right to protest in this country is a farce and that our legal system prioritises the interest of politicians and businesses over that of the public”
ENDS
For further comment please call: 07930449974 / 07771850963
A COMPREHENSIVE MEDIA ADVISORY IS AVAILABLE THAT HAS MUCH MORE DETAIL ON THE TRIAL
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] Full charge is as follows:
“On 26/03/2011 at Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly, W1AER having trespassed on land, namely the premises of Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly, London, and in relation to a lawful activity, namely the occupier’s retail business, which persons were engaged in on that land, did an act, namely entered the premises in the company of several others and demonstrated, which you intended to have the effect of intimidating those persons or any of them so as to deter them or any of them from engaging in that activity Contrary to section 68(1) and (3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. “
Third Trial: 19 – 27th March 2012
[3] Lynne Owens, the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said this referring to policing on March 26th:
“We do need to improve the intelligence picture, but our ability to arrest over 200 people at the weekend gives us a very good starting point in terms of building that picture.”See here for a full transcript:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhaff/uc917-i/uc91701.htm
The trial schedule
29 people on trial between November 2011 and March 2012 Calendar dates:
10th, 11th, 14th, 16th, 17th,18th,28th,29th,30th November
Approximate break-down, open to change during the trial:
10 – 17th November: Prosecution’s evidence, including cross examination on Chief Police officers and questions of police tactics and ‘Political Policing’
18, 28– 30th: Defense evidence, including cross examination of defendants. Closing statements from prosecution and defence. Verdict.
Second Trial: 5th – 13th March 2012
Third Trial: 19 – 27th March 2012Timeline of Events
*March 26th:
During the TUC organised march attended by 500,000 people, UK Uncut activists staged a sit-in at Fortnum and Mason luxury store.
This was in protest of Fortnum and Mason’s involvement in avoiding £10 million of tax per year as Private Eye revealed: https://skitch.com/politicalcustard/r39nr/fm-private-eye-1286
Senior police officers inside the store said protesters were “Sensible” and “non-violent” and that nobody would be arrested. In a controversial move, all 145 protesters still inside the store were contained (kettled) and arrested:http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/28/cuts-protest-uk-uncut-fortnum?INTCMP=SRCH
All protesters had their phones and cameras taken, and many had their clothes taken, and spent nearly 24 hours in police cells across the city.
139 were charged with ‘Aggrevated Trespass’ on release.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andreas-whittam-smith/andreas-whittam-smith-is-it-wise-to-criminalise-respectable-protest-groups-2257654.html
*Between May and July 109 cases were ‘discontinued’. CPS stated it is ‘not in the public interest to prosecute’
http://fortnum145.org/2011/07/18/good-news-cps-drop-109-fortnum-mason-protest-cases/
*August: 21 of those who had their cases discontinued sent a letter to the CPS ‘reviving’ their case with the ‘I Am Spartacus Tactic’
http://fortnum145.org/2011/10/10/press-release-spartacus-defendants-in-court/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/sep/07/uk-uncut-spartacus-defence?INTCMP=SRCH
‘I am Sparticus’
In July, 109 of the original 145 cases were ‘discontinued’ by the CPS. In August, 21 of those who had their cases discontinued used their right to ‘revive’ a criminal prosecution by sending a letter back to the CPS asking to be put on trial in an unprecedented legal move that served as an act of solidarity with those 30 protesters who still face prosecution. They declared that ‘I am sparticus’ in the process.These 21 are due in court around the start of the trial, but the exact date is still to be set. At this hearing the 21 will either formally put on trial or formally found ‘not guilty’, as opposed to being ‘discontinued’. A ‘not guilty’ verdict may strongly impact on the legal case of the 30 described above.
For more information please read:http://fortnum145.org/2011/10/10/press-release-spartacus-defendants-in-court/
-----------------------
An open letter to Simon Pountain
http://fortnum145.org/2011/11/09/an-open-letter-to-simon-pountain/
Open letter to Mr Simon Pountain, Commander of the Public Order Command of the Metropolitan Police Service,
Thank you for your letter regarding the protest organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts on the 9th November 2011. I’ve been away and was actually unaware that the protest was taking place, but will try to attend because I believe that the economy should be organised in a way that adequately funds public services, and that enables access to higher education for all who have the ability and commitment, not just those whose families can find tens of thousands of pounds to support them through university.
The letter came as a surprise because it’s the first time I’ve ever had post from the Met – I assume you decided to write to me because I participated in the UK Uncut protest inside Fortnum and Mason. You wrote to advise me that “It is in the public and your own interest that you do not involve yourself in any type of criminal or anti-social behaviour”. I would greatly appreciate it if you could clarify what forms of protest you view as criminal or as anti-social behaviour. The Human Rights Act protects freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and I’d like to be confident in the knowledge of how I can exercise these rights.
After taking part in the trade union organised march against the cuts on March 26th, I walked through the open doors of Fortnum and Mason and took part in a protest that one of your senior officers on the scene described as “sensible and non-violent”. After singing a song and listening to someone explain that the royal grocers is involved in a scam to avoid paying £10million tax a year, I spent most of the time sat on the floor waiting because your officers had closed the shop due to a disturbance outside. I and the other protestors inside the shop obeyed police requests to group in one area, and customers were left to browse freely – diners in the restaurant and café continued to enjoy their meals. I left as soon as police opened the doors, and on the assurance by the senior police officer that protestors would be allowed to leave freely. This was a lie: outside I was immediately and forcefully arrested by a police man twice my size (I’m a woman who weighs 8 ½ stone and I wasn’t resisting); I was held for 24 hours with very little food; charges were pressed without the presence of a solicitor or any evidence being declared; and I was sent home to the other side of London without my clothes, phone, shoes or coat, in an white, oversized men’s jogging suit, my remaining possessions in a clear plastic bag.
Can you imagine what it feels like to have someone use force to take away a day of your life? For two days after my release I was in shock, my thoughts scattered, swinging between numb disbelief and mild hysteria. I had symptoms of trauma for at least a week longer, as well as a painful bruise on my wrist and a sore shoulder from the way my arm was yanked behind my back. You see, I took part in the UK Uncut protest because I was impressed by the peaceful and creative tactics that the network has become known for, as well as by their argument that not only expresses a problem – the cuts – but also part of the solution – cracking down on corporate tax avoidance and evasion. I would never have believed that entering a shop and sitting on the floor could be classed as “criminal” or “anti-social behaviour”. I was never told I was committing a crime; it was the police’s decision that I remain inside beyond when I was ready to leave and it was a senior police officer who told me I was free to go immediately before I was arrested. Your letter about the Fees and Cuts protest advises me to “move away and create distance” between myself and anyone involved in violence, but I was no where near violence on March 26th and no one has ever alleged that I was.
The case of the first 10 F&M protestors facing trial will be heard on Thursday – this attempt to prosecute a group of people involved in an entirely peaceful and disciplined sit-in is new legal territory. And while no evidence against me has ever been shared and the charges against me have been discontinued, your letter is evidence of the record that has been kept against my name, alongside my DNA. I had a good mind to have my case reinstated to try to get my name cleared, but I simply couldn’t afford the legal fees.
Being arrested is an experience I don’t want to repeat, however unfortunately it’s clear to me that I will want to express political opinions over the coming years. I’m sure thousands of others would appreciate clarity about how we can safely exercise our right to protest in order to influence decision making in this country – after all, we are supposed to live in a democracy.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Porter
Full article | 2 additions | 2 comments
Occupy London - Solidarity with Census Refuser Judith Sambrook
09-11-2011 19:30
#sparks morning demo pics part2
09-11-2011 18:18
few pics from this mornings sparks demo, after visiting several sites, we marched to st paul's before heading on to the farringdon site and marching on the start of the unite demo at the shard. throughout there were calls to continue blockading construction sites, and to support the students on the streets this afternoon rather than march to a lobby of parliament.
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N9 Student Demo at Malet Street/Gower Street
09-11-2011 18:18
I managed to get down to Malet Street around 12pm for the start of the N9 Student Ant-cuts Demo. The mood was good, but given the very obvious police presence, there was clearly a tension in the air. Police horses 'led' the march in front of a thickish blue line.
Let's see how things progress over the day...
Photos of student #Nov9 march to the city
09-11-2011 18:18
Loud and proud demo today of thousands and thousands with people quite happy to push through police lines and past mounted police officers. A quite amazing number of side streets within the city were fully blocked off with riot police with round and full shields, and some plain clothes snatch squads, horses, dogs, and massive city lockdown. They're really quite worried...
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Early morning electricians demo around the City of London
09-11-2011 10:04
Occupy Notttingham: 4th week & onwards .....
09-11-2011 00:55
Tuesday 8th November 2011 Day 25 and beyond ....
The occupation of the Market Square in Nottingham, continues through the 4th week ......
Despite the weather and a number of threats the camp is not only continuing, but is in fact growing.
Earlier reports on the camp .... on the posting from last Tuesday at:
Nottingham Occupation: Tuesday Day 18
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2132
Nottingham Indymedia have added a few features with more links ......
Nottingham is occupied [1st Feature]
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2079
Nottingham Occupation Continues [2nd Feature]
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2100
Occupy Notttingham: Moved but still in occupation [3rd Feature]
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2116
Occupy Notttingham: Still there [4th Feature]
http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2147
____________________________________________
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]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
<ends>
Occupy Notttingham: Still there
08-11-2011 22:55
While the London-centric mainstream media has continued to focus on the occupation next to St Pauls, other occupations continue around the country, including in Nottingham, where those occupying the Market Square are now entering their fourth week. Despite the weather and a number of threats the camp is not only continuing, but in fact growing.
On the newswire: Occupy Nottingham Statement | V for Vendetta : Happy Guy Fawkes day | Nottingham Occupation: Day 21 | Today’s Occupation Quote: ‘hungry people dont stay hungry’ | Old Market Square protesters determined … | Nottingham Occupation: Tuesday Day 18 | Sunny Occupy Nottingham | Nottingham Occupation: Saturday Day 15 | Alien Invasion @ Occupy Nottingham. should we be alarmed? | Critical Mass rides about a bit again in Nottm | Lost my job …. found an Occupation | Characters I’ve met during Cuts & Occupy Campaigns | Nottingham Occupation continues: Thursday Day 13
Previous feature: Occupy Notttingham: Moved but still in occupation | Nottingham Occupation Continues | Nottingham is occupied
There have been some threats to the camp and on Sunday, a firework was thrown into the camp, before those responsible were chased off.
Despite the problems, the response to the camp has been overwhelmingly supportive. The camp has been visited by Nottingham’s Critical Mass, Robin Hood and Maid Marian, "aliens" and even health and safety officials whose inspection they passed.
IWW London Guildhall Cleaner's Solidarity protest in Birmingham
08-11-2011 18:57
