On Thursday 2nd July activists from Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! gathered outside the Discovery Museum in Newcastle after receiving a VERY last minute tip-off that Gordon Brown was holding an 'invite only' question and answer session inside. Three of the protestors were later arrested and released without charge.
Protestors assemble on the pavement
Police move in
One of the arrested being taken away
Picketing Market Street Police Station
Chanting 'Labour Party - War Party, Labour Party - Racist Party', and 'Our Democracy - Hypocrisy' protestors made clear their opposition. One of those arrested said later:
"We protested today in opposition to the Labour government's oppressive and anti-working class policies in Britain and around the world, from the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, to complicity in Israel's war crimes against the Palestinian people, to the imprisonment and deportation of tens of thousands every year under Britain's racist immigration laws, to welfare cuts and privatisation"
After protestors assembled on the pavement outside, police demanded that they move to the other side of the road. Another of those arrested described what happened:
"The police began shouting at us and shoving us to the edge of the pavement. One comrade was pushed over into the road. The police said we were 'close to causing a breach of the peace', but all we were doing was peacefully expressing our opposition to the government's policies outside a meeting addressed by the Prime Minister."
The comrade was later arrested when he attempted to gather the ID numbers of the police. Another activist was arrested after the police alleged that the garden cane he was holding with a flag on the end was 'clearly a weapon'. A third activist was arrested after asking if the police would still consider the protest a breach of the peace after it moved to the other side of the road.
After the arrests police kettled the remaining demonstrators, who maintained their noisy protest until Gordon Brown's motorcade had left. The remaining protestors then held a picket of Market Street Police station until the three arrested activists were released without charge, after being strip-searched.
The event was given a passing mention in the Journal today in a bigger report on Brown's visit to the region, but no mention of the protest:
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/07/03/gordon-brown-praises-region-but-gives-no-cash-pledge-61634-24062887/
"We protested today in opposition to the Labour government's oppressive and anti-working class policies in Britain and around the world, from the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, to complicity in Israel's war crimes against the Palestinian people, to the imprisonment and deportation of tens of thousands every year under Britain's racist immigration laws, to welfare cuts and privatisation"
After protestors assembled on the pavement outside, police demanded that they move to the other side of the road. Another of those arrested described what happened:
"The police began shouting at us and shoving us to the edge of the pavement. One comrade was pushed over into the road. The police said we were 'close to causing a breach of the peace', but all we were doing was peacefully expressing our opposition to the government's policies outside a meeting addressed by the Prime Minister."
The comrade was later arrested when he attempted to gather the ID numbers of the police. Another activist was arrested after the police alleged that the garden cane he was holding with a flag on the end was 'clearly a weapon'. A third activist was arrested after asking if the police would still consider the protest a breach of the peace after it moved to the other side of the road.
After the arrests police kettled the remaining demonstrators, who maintained their noisy protest until Gordon Brown's motorcade had left. The remaining protestors then held a picket of Market Street Police station until the three arrested activists were released without charge, after being strip-searched.
The event was given a passing mention in the Journal today in a bigger report on Brown's visit to the region, but no mention of the protest:
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/07/03/gordon-brown-praises-region-but-gives-no-cash-pledge-61634-24062887/
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Police?
03.07.2009 14:32
ps are they Diplomatic Protection? - (though they should stilll display id numerals)
me
The usual police rubbish
03.07.2009 17:09
I think they were firearms officers without their guns - perhaps they felt a bit impotent and thats why they were on edge. If a few more people had found out about it and come down (we only heard 5mins earlier) then it would have been difficult for them to use the same tactics because it already took them a good 7 mins to get a van for me and I got the impression from the police chat that Market Street was close to full.
Whose streets?
OUR STREETS
Whose police?
THEIR police
A. Rested
Homepage:
http://revolutionarycommunist.org
re Diplomatic Protection
04.07.2009 14:50
Chief Constable Mike Craik
Northumbria Police Force Headquarters
North Road
Ponteland
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE20 OBL
or by letter to
Professional Standards Department, Force Headquarters,
North Road,
Ponteland,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE20 0BL
though I would recommend the Chief Constable whose office will pass it on to PSD. Then HE knows that there is malpractice in his force.
You should also include in your complaint the tampering with your phone to destroy evidence of malpractice.
They have your name and details anyway. Even if they drop any charges, go for them or they will consider this is a normal way to behave. Perhaps it is for them, but complaining can change that and they will have to watch their step in future.
me
Police: Identification
18.07.2009 22:31
Police: Identification
Questions
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government why police officers are required to show identification numbers when on duty; and under what legislation this requirement was introduced; and [HL2871]
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any circumstances when police officers on duty are permitted to cover up their identification numbers; and, if so, from whom the officers have to obtain prior approval; and [HL2872]
To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions in the last two years officers of the Metropolitan and City of London Police forces have been permitted to hide identification numbers; and what were the reasons for each permission being granted; and [HL2873]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what disciplinary action is normally taken against police officers who cover up their identification numbers on duty without permission. [HL2874]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The displaying of identification numbers is not required by legislation. This is a matter for individual Chief Constables and force level guidance. Contravening force guidance on this, as other issues, is a disciplinary offence and cases are handled in line with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008.
Questions
Asked by Lord Berkeley
To ask Her Majesty's Government why police officers are required to show identification numbers when on duty; and under what legislation this requirement was introduced; and [HL2871]
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any circumstances when police officers on duty are permitted to cover up their identification numbers; and, if so, from whom the officers have to obtain prior approval; and [HL2872]
To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions in the last two years officers of the Metropolitan and City of London Police forces have been permitted to hide identification numbers; and what were the reasons for each permission being granted; and [HL2873]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what disciplinary action is normally taken against police officers who cover up their identification numbers on duty without permission. [HL2874]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The displaying of identification numbers is not required by legislation. This is a matter for individual Chief Constables and force level guidance. Contravening force guidance on this, as other issues, is a disciplinary offence and cases are handled in line with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008.
However...
[Northumbria] Police officers, special constables and operational police staff must ensure that service numbers are visible at all times when in uniform.
(
Hansard