UK Promoted Newswire Archive
SchNEWS: Smashing Night At The 1in12
08-02-2012 09:06
The legendary 1in12 Club social centre based in Bradford is going through a tough patch. After a fire inspection a couple of months ago it was evident that after almost three decades of DIY refurbishment to the old mill, much needed to be done to bring the building up to regulatory standard.
HMIC report: "disgusting and farcical"
07-02-2012 22:55
Last week saw the publication of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary’s "review of national police units which provide intelligence on criminality associated with protest." This was one of the array of reports commissioned in the aftermath of the revelations about undercover police officer Mark Kennedy. The report, like the "Rose Report" into the CPS’ failure to disclose key evidence, has not been greeted warmly by activists. FITwatch went as far as to describe it as "disgusting and farcical."
On the newswire: Mark Kennedy: the HMIC report | HMIC review of police “domestic extremism” units | HMIC report disgusting and farcical | HMIC report into policing protest
Previous features Women sue Met over undercover cops | First report into undercover policing: “whitewash” | Undercover police officer back in the spotlight | Mark Kennedy/Stone exposed as undercover
The report had originally been intended for publication in October, but was postponed when it emerged that undercover officer Jim Boyling gave false evidence in court, apparently with the assent of his handlers. Despite this delay, this matter merits only a single paragraph in the report (pp. 39-40), which claims "this is outside HMIC‟s remit", but still sees fit to throw in an irrelevant reference to legislation passed after the incident in question to muddy the water.
The issues which the report is concerned with largely arose from the emergence of the "domestic extremism" apparatus, created over the last 10-15 years, based on a deliberately murky conflation of direct action with criminality and even terrorism. While the report does grapple with concept and claims to want to tighten it up, the report remains deeply problematic
The report claims (p11) that the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) definition is:
Domestic extremism and extremists are the terms used for activity, individuals or campaign groups that carry out criminal acts of direct action in furtherance of what is typically a single issue campaign. They usually seek to prevent something from happening or to change legislation or domestic policy, but attempt to do so outside of the normal democratic process.
According to the footnotes, this is drawn from a "Grant Agreement" with the Home Secretary (ACPO is a private company, which nonetheless receives funding from the state). While this may have been the definition they gave to politicians, it is questionable whether this was actually the definition used in practice.
Unfortunately, the NETCU website is currently down (apparently as part of work to launch a new NDEU website following the unit's transfer to the Met) and is unavailable in the Internet Archive. However, when it was around, this organisation, which was run by ACPO, offered a substantially broader definition (quoted at the time):
Domestic extremism is the term used to describe any unlawful or recognisably anti-social act carried out as part of an 'extreme campaign'.
It is often associated with campaigns focused around a single issue, such as animal rights.
Note that contrary to the cited ACPO definition, "criminal acts" are not necessary under this definition. Mere "anti-social acts" are sufficient and anti-social behaviour is notoriously difficult to define, encompassing anything from noisy sex, through littering and hanging around on street corners to mugging. As if to underline, just how ridiculously broad their defintion of domestic extremism was, NETCU chose to illustrate the frontpage of their website with a photo of the Clown Army.
It should give people pause to discover that HMIC have seemingly made little effort to explore what definitions of "domestic extremism" ACPO and its subsidiary bodies actually used in practice, given how central the concept is to the report. Instead they accept and restate on various occasions that "domestic extremism" is and always has been synonymous with illegal activity.
Regardless of these failures, it becomes apparent as the report continues that the insistence on "serious criminality" as a basis for considering activity extremist proposed by HMIC will make little difference. When they turn to examples of groups or individuals who "have chosen to pursue a belief or cause through serious criminality or by serious disruption of the community arising from criminal activities, rather than through the democratic process" (p. 15) the examples they point to include the "hijacking" of a coal train.
As FITwatch note, "The word hijack immediately evokes images of guns, threats and hostages, especially given the nail bombing campaign by right wing extremists is referenced within the same section." In reality, the action was an entirely peaceful one "committed by a group which included teachers and a preacher; a group who were described by the trial judge as "eloquent, sincere, moving and engaging". 21 out of 29 members of the group were given conditional discharges showing the level of seriousness the judge deemed the case."
"Serious criminality" is to be understood, according to the report, as "serious disruption to the life of the community (derived from section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986) arising from criminality." (p. 21) The obvious problem with this is that what constitutes "serious disruption" is largely subjective. Section 12 will be familiar to many activists, as is section 14 with which it shares the concept of "serious disruption". Locally, section 14 conditions were imposed on the Notts Uncut "Christmas Sepcial" last December, resulting in the arrests of two protesters. Is peacefully protesting for corporations to pay their tax now extremist and a legitimate target for infiltration?
The key point here is that "serious disruption" is not to be understood as disruption to the lives of ordinary people, but to the workings of corporations. This is why the examples pointed to include protests against "genetically modified crops; the burning of coal; and the expansion of aviation" as well as animal rights activists(p. 15). It also explains why, despite a single reference to far-right activists, which acknowledges the threat posed by fascist terrorism (p. 15), so much attention has been focussed by NPOIU and its ilk on broadly left-wing campaigns, rather than their right-wing counterparts. (Recall the Met's insistence that the EDL are not an extremist organisation.)
The report has a broader remit than the Rose Report and this may have contributed to the fact that it is much more vague, lacking in detail. While HIMC claim that Mark Kennedy "did help to uncover serious criminality" (p. 26), as FITwatch observe, "there is no evidence he actually prevented any criminality from taking place... Kennedy didn’t prevent the actions happening he provided intelligence on, didn’t contribute to prosecutions, and has, according to the report, no discernible role."
The report is particularly poor when it comes to the impact of Kennedy and others on those whose lives he inveigled his way into. HMIC euphemistically dismiss this issue (presumably with a straight-face) as "collateral intrusion" (p. 36). By contrast, there are, as FITwatch are quick to point out, "several references to the psychological difficulties these poor police officers have to endure."
It is, in closing, difficult to disagree with FITwatch's rather cynical conclusion:
This is a disgusting report showing utter contempt for activists, and a complete disregard for their rights with the only recommendations made being ones which will make no real material difference in the way the units operate. HMIC are not, as the claim to be "inspecting policing in the public interest" but inspecting policing in the interests of the state and corporations.
Troubled Over Bridgwater
07-02-2012 17:27
Three anti-nuclear activists have occupied trees at the site of a proposed nuclear power station near Bridgwater in Somerset
Future Of NHS Hangs on High Court Scales, Wed 8th
07-02-2012 14:07
No Pasaran! Leeds Antifascist Film Festival A Storming Success
07-02-2012 11:20
Concerned Locals take to the Trees at Hinkley Point near Bridgwater, Somerset.
07-02-2012 11:02
Birmingham IWW Solidarity Picket with IWW Pizza Hut Union
06-02-2012 09:46
SchNEWS: Kiddie Porn Cop Busted
05-02-2012 19:00
Yeah we know - all coppers are bastards, but obviously some are more misbegotten than others. Step up Nicholas White, press officer for some of our fave cops - the National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit a.k.a NETCU. He was found guilty in Cambridge Crown Court last Friday (27th) of possession of more than 110,000 photographs and videos of child porn.
SchNEWS: Leicester Pigged Out
05-02-2012 18:52
SchNEWS: Gimme A Slice OF The Action
05-02-2012 18:15
Pizza Huts across the U.K and the world were hit yesterday (Saturday 4th February) with pickets by the militant fightin' union the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World). The pickets in solidarity with workers at a Sheffield branch who've been in dispute with their management since last April. The dispute centers around the fact the the minimum wage staff at the Hut weren't getting paid extra for bank holidays and were expected to use their own cars for delivery runs for a mere 60p a trip.
Shut Guantánamo - candlelight vigil
05-02-2012 14:55
Braving sub-zero temperatures on Friday evening in the capital, around two dozen human rights activists joined the London Guantánamo Campaign (LGC) outside the US Embassy in Mayfair, London, for a candlelight vigil to mark the fifth anniversary of the campaign's regular "Shut Down Guantánamo!" demonstrations outside the Embassy. Performances were also given by Actors for Human Rights and poet Sergio Amigo
Braving sub-zero temperatures on Friday evening in the capital, around two dozen human rights activists joined the London Guantánamo Campaign (LGC) outside the US Embassy in Mayfair, London, for a candlelight vigil to mark the fifth anniversary of the campaign's regular "Shut Down Guantánamo!" demonstrations outside the Embassy.
The LGC has held a regular protest outside the US Embassy in London, first on a weekly basis, until August 2008 and on a monthly basis since then, ever since February 2007 (report of the first ever demo: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/02/362319.html). The purpose of the protest is simple enough: shut down Guantánamo Bay and other similar prisons, return the British residents to the UK and ensure justice for the remaining prisoners, of whom there are currently 171. During that time, 6 of the 8 remaining British residents held prisoner there have been released. Only Shaker Aamer, a Saudi national with a British family in south London http://www.reprieve.org.uk/cases/shakeraamer/ and Ahmed Belbacha, an Algerian national who once resided in Bournemouth http://www.reprieve.org.uk/cases/ahmedbelbacha/ remain, both without charge or trial for over a decade.
In that period, activists have been joined by other groups, including local Amnesty International and Stop The War groups as well as visitors to the capital. The regular demonstration has included special actions held in solidarity with accused Wikileaks whistleblower Private Bradley Manning and other US prisoners, with Canadian child soldier Omar Khadr during his military tribunal, and to mark the tenth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan.
To mark the fifth anniversary, activists were joined by performances by actor and poet Sergio Amigo reading poems by Guantánamo prisoners http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCDC81P5i58&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL and actor Naoufal Ousellam from Actors for Human Rights (www.iceandfire.co.uk) provided a reading of the Binyam Mohamed verbatim passage from The Rendition Monologues http://iceandfire.co.uk/outreach/scripts/rendition-monologues
Binyam Mohamed, a British resident from Ethiopia, returned to the UK in February 2009 after a seven year nightmare. Prior to his release, the London Guantánamo Campaign held a large campaign calling for his return, including a six day continuous vigil outside the US Embassy in London and a 30th "birthday party" for Binyam opposite Downing Street: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/07/404536.html?c=on#c200488
171 prisoners remain at Guantánamo Bay after 10 years, many without charge or trial. The campaign to close Guantánamo Bay and end its regime of torture and arbitrary detention without trial will continue. Please join the LGC at the next monthly demonstration on Thursday 1st March 2012 at 12-1pm outside the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1A 1AE and then 1.15-2.15pm outside Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park, opposite Marble Arch.
Other actions coming up:
11th February: Guantánamo Chain Gang: Free Shaker Aamer (to mark Shaker's 10th year in Guantánamo): ASSEMBLE 12 NOON outside NORTHCOTE RD BAPTIST CHURCH, NORTHCOTE RD, LONDON SW11 6DB - organised by the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign
Walking slowly in chains through the streets of Battersea and Clapham Junction to a rally at the Battersea Islamic Culture and Education Centre, Falcon Road, SW11 2PF
14th February: Guantánamo Chain Gang at the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, W1A, 2pm - organised by the Save Shaker Aamer Campaign
On Tuesday 14 February, Shaker will have been in Guantanamo for 10 years. Please join us at the US Embassy, London, to hand in cards and petitions for President Obama.
Banners, drums and noise welcome.
More details: ssac.contact[at]gmail.com www.saveshaker.org
More media on the 3 February vigil:
http://www.demotix.com/news/1033393/london-guant-namo-campaign-candlelit-vigil
http://lenebarbephotography.blogspot.com/2012/02/london-guantanamo-campaigners-outside.html
http://www.demotix.com/news/1032593/shut-down-guantanamo-candlelight-vigil-london
http://www.demotix.com/news/1032594/london-guant-namo-campaigners-outside-american-embassy
London Guantánamo Campaign
http://londonguantanamocampaign.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Guant%C3%A1namo-Campaign/114010671973111
http://twitter.com/shutguantanamo
London Wobs' Solidarity Picket with IWW Pizza Hut
05-02-2012 14:55
Over twenty London Wobblies and sympathisers braved the cold on Saturday 4th February at a very successful picket targeting one of Pizza Hut's larger London restaurants at the Strand.
The picket was organised by the London IWW General Membership Branch in solidarity with the Sheffield IWW Pizza Hut Union call out for a national day of action against the Pizza chain. The London picket was one of a string of solidarity actions held worldwide in addition to the main Sheffield Pizza Hut picket. Solidarity demonstrations took place in Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, Calais, Portland, Vancouver, and Berlin.
Keeping up a vibrant and spirited atmosphere despite the frosty temperatures, the picketers distributed hundreds of flyers over the course of the afternoon to customers, staff and passers-by.
Wobblies from the London IWW GMB branch were joined by a significant number of sympathisers, including members of the North and South London Solidarity Federation locals and the London Anarchist Federation. London IWW would like to formally extend its thanks to all of those who joined, with particular thanks to the sympathetic organisations who made the effort to mobilise their members in this great show of solidarity.
Meanwhile, at the main protest in Sheffield, twenty Pizza Hut workers braved the billowing snow in protest against what they say are "insulting" conditions and pay.
The Sheffield Pizza Hut Workers, who've proudly organised an Industrial Union Branch under the banner of the Industrial Workers of the World, have had enough of Pizza Hut management's dogged refusal to give them their fair dues, and we, their fellow workers at the London IWW GMB stand 100% behind them in solidarity.
This call for a nationwide protest comes at the tail end of a year-long dispute with management over bank holiday pay, delivery drivers' commissions, and poor working conditions.
Contrary to standard practice in the UK, Pizza Hut staff do not receive the usual time-and-a-half pay rate for working Bank Holidays, and are instead paid standard wage. The IWW demands that Pizza Hut pay all workers time and a half for working Bank Hollidays.
The pay rate for delivery staff, who use their own cars, has remained frozen for several years, despite the increase of delivery radius and the rising price of petrol. This amounts to dismal pay for delivery staff.
Other concerns include delivery staff safety gear, a decreasing pay packet that falls behind inflation and a demand for a real living wage for all Pizza Hut workers.
To find out how, as a concerned member of the public, you can help support the IWW's Pizza Hut Workers' campaign, please click here.
Communities fight back on National Library Day
05-02-2012 12:55
Across the capital local communities have been fighting back against the cuts, demanding that their libraries stay, stating that they are a vital part of the local infrastructure. Brent is the latest council to act, where the 'SOS Libraries' campaigners have been refused permission to take the council to the Supreme Court this week. This was after a strong community action of 24-hour vigils and celbrity support, but still six libraries will close. Other campaigns around Kensal Rise and Preston are also struggling to win, but will continue to fight.
The Kensal Rise campaign has been supported by Alan Bennett, Jacqueline Wilson, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, Nick cave and more recently Jamie Reid of Sex Pistols fame. This is despite a consultation into the proposals showing that 82 per cent of respondents were against the closures, the council announced in April last year that Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton libraries would shut. Brent Council announced plans to close six out of Brent’s 12 libraries to save £1 million in 2010.
Residents united by their anger formed Brent SOS Libraries to stop the closures and took their fight to the High Court and Appeal Court but lost.
The council began stripping bare the libraries before Christmas but undeterred the campaigners formed pop-up libraries outside the closed reading rooms including Victorian built Kensal Rise Library, in Bathurst Gardens which was opened 111 years ago by American author Mark Twain.
Over the coming year it is estimated that as many as 600 libraries could close although so far, due to the public anger, only 32 have actually been shut down. Some are being handed over to local communities to control and others are being privatised. Even where the fight back is successful the staff are being cut back to a minimum.
Solidarity Picket Glasgow With IWW Pizza Hut Workers Report
05-02-2012 00:29
Remembering Auschwitz
05-02-2012 00:08
Pizza Hut Workers Demand A Proper Slice
04-02-2012 21:17
Demonstration against Atos & police repression
04-02-2012 18:55
On Friday 3rd February, campaigners returned to Atos Healthcare's offices on Stoney Street in the Lace Market, Notttingham.
This was the first protest there since a demonstration on September 30th last year, part of a national day of action, which ended with two of the participants being arrested, and subsequently charged, with aggravated trespass.
While the charges were dropped in January, the protest was a reminder to Atos that people have not been intimidated by the arrests and that protests will continue as long as they are making people's lives a misery.
Protesters met at the junction of Carlton Street and Heathcote Street, Hockley (outside Ice Nine). The police drove past several times before coming over looking for organisers, eventually offering some vague road safety advice before leaving again.
The demonstration set off at around 12.45 to walk the short distance to Atos' offices. There people formed up on both sides of the road. There was some chanting, although people were struggling for slogans. "Atos kills," "Atos they don't give a toss" and "Atos out" were all attempted with varying success.
There were around 30 people, supplemented by a small gaggle of student journalists (their professional counterparts were seemingly uninterested), an impressive turnout given the extreme cold.
There were two brief speeches. The first delivered by one of the "Atos Two" was about their own experience of the criminal justice system and the need to continue the fight against both Atos and the economic system of which it is a product.
The second speech focussed on the policing of protest (touching on the publication the previous day of the HMIC report into this matter), arguing that the police would always be used to render protest ineffective in a class system and that this would only become more obvious as the government sought to impose "austerity" on an unwilling populace.
After the speeches, there was some more chanting and general milling about. No wanting to hang around too long given the cold, protesters decided to leave at around 1.30pm and made their way back to Hockley and then to Market Square. There, the placards produced for the demo were set-up around the Occupy Nottingham camp where they attracted quite a bit of attention.
It appears that the police and Atos were taking the protest fairly seriously. There were two police officers visible at their offices, a couple of vans driving around, presumably in case there were any problems and at least one private security guard. Throughout they made little effort to interfere, even when people were standing in the road outside Atos (the pavement there is very narrow).
This was a relatively small and relatively brief demonstration, but it sent out an important message that campaigners would not be intimidated by heavy handed policing and that Atos will not be able to carry on making people's lives a misery without facing resistance. Campaigners made it clear that they intended to return and that this was only part of a long-term campaign.
In London, welfare rights campaigners held a solidarity demonstration at around the same time at Atos' Triton Square headquarters.
Protests at Veolia's sponsorship of Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition
04-02-2012 18:09
Oxford human rights activists came out in force on the first day of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at Science Oxford to protest at the sponsorship of the exhibition by multi-national, Veolia. A demonstration in the morning by Oxford Women in Black was followed in the afternoon by one organised by Oxford PSC and the University Palestine Society.A Report from the Solidarity Vigil for Julian Assange at the Supreme Court
04-02-2012 08:20
*Photos from Supreme Court Solidairty Vigil for Julian Assange
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64728140@N02/sets/72157629160258713/ **Short Vid from Solidairty Outside the Supreme Court
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64728140@N02/6813355337/in/set-72157629160258713 Brighton Squatters - Update on a crazy week
03-02-2012 22:44
