London Indymedia

Brixton Reclaim Your Food Collective, 2 Arrests.

Reclaim Everything | 05.03.2008 18:55 | Free Spaces | Repression | London

People taking part in Brixton's Reclaim Your Food weekly action faced arrest on Sunday (2nd March 2008 ) as they challenged the legitimacy of a Dispersal Order issued by the Lambeth branch of the Metropolitan Police.

Carrying on Regardless...
Carrying on Regardless...

Nuff Said!
Nuff Said!

Bike Workshop
Bike Workshop

Making Wallets out of Old Juice Cartons!
Making Wallets out of Old Juice Cartons!

Out of Control ASBO 'Yoof' Harassing, Distressing and Alarming a Dog.
Out of Control ASBO 'Yoof' Harassing, Distressing and Alarming a Dog.

Member of the Public Challenges Crap Arrest...
Member of the Public Challenges Crap Arrest...

...Whilst Others Film Another Crap Arrest.
...Whilst Others Film Another Crap Arrest.

Vigilante Hate Mob Descends Upon Police Station
Vigilante Hate Mob Descends Upon Police Station

And the Banner Goes Up!
And the Banner Goes Up!


The weekly vegan open picnic has recently faced growing repression from Police and consistent support in the community. Police (which constituted a mix of PCs, CSOs and higher-ranking officers) were waiting for the collective before they even arrived. They came equipped with a mobile surveillance van, 2 regular Police vans and 2 Police cars. Disproportionate? Make up your own mind...

The first arrest came as a result of a refusal to comply with the Dispersal Order placed upon the group, the second for attempting to establish the legal basis for such an arrest. The Dispersal Order, made possible by the controversial Anti-Social Behaviour Act, was issued in response to an alleged Section 5 Public Order offence - defined as causing harassment, distress or alarm. However, when questioned, the Police failed to provide adequate evidence to suggest that such an offence was taking place. What followed was a series of convoluted and dubious explanations as to why they had reason to believe an offence was being committed:

1) By giving out free food, a climate was being created that enabled drug-dealing - which in itself could promote harassment, distress and/or alarm. Case Law contradicts the use of this Public Order law 'by proxy' (as it were) and it has previously been ruled that if a Section 5 offence is being comitted, it is unlawful to arrest anyone other than the alleged perpetrator of the offence.

2) "Local Businesses" - such as the nearby McDonalds & KFC restaraunts - were claiming that the actions of the collective were inhibiting their ability to make a profit. No law that explicitly states the interests of said businesses are to take precedent over the interests of the other parties involved was invoked. However, it's hardly a shocking revelation that profit comes before people.

3) The concentration of Brixton's drug users and dealers in Brixton Town Square, allegedly as a result of the Reclaim Your Food collective's project, was making the 'problem' more difficult to Police. This isn't even worthy of a witty retort.

Thankfully, the long arm of the law did not stretch to the Bicycle Repair Workshop or those making Puncture Repair Kits and Wallets from recycled and sustainable materials. These were welcome additions to the Town Square, which was reclaimed as a fully-functional public space for all...with room for a bit of a dance to the chilled reggae/dub soundsystem!

Despite all the Police intimidation and generally not fantastic weather, a good time was had by most people who turned up or happened to be passing by!

Sunday's events also demonstrate the power of solidarity and engagement with the community, after Police abandoned initial threats to arrest everyone present because they thought those involved had 'learnt their lesson' and would not be back the next week. This, of course, had nothing to do with the logistical difficulties that would've arisen from arresting up to 50+ people with limited resources - and having to justify that to the largely supportive members of the public present...honest, sarge! There were many people on hand to photograph and film the behaviour of the Police and to record the identity numbers of the officers involved. The action was not only fully completed and largely unimpeded by Police intervention but also took to the streets afterwards, marching to Brixton Police Station and standing in solidarity with the two arrestees. The Reclaim Your Food banner was unfurled accross the Metropolitan Police logo at the front of the station, generating public interest and support. Tea and Biscuits were also on offer, giving the whole proceeding an uncharacteristically twee vibe!

Many Brixton residents approached the collective, sharing their own experiences of dealing with Police intimidation and brutality. Whilst this may appear incredibly doom-and-gloom, the atmosphere was more conducive to a sense of mutual support and a desire to challenge the state apparatus than of feeling downtrodden or apathetic, which left many people feeling positive about the possiblity of resisting the ever-creeping Police state.

The collectives involved in Sunday's action are keen to welcome anyone who is interested in any aspect of the project to come along. The project will continure to meet at Brixton Town Square (by Coldharbour Lane, opposite the Ritzy Cinema) from around 2/3pm every Sunday. The town square is well on it's way to being a free public space, for anyone to use. This does not figure in the plans of the Police and Local Government, who are intent on seeing through gentrification of the area. Let's show them whose streets they really are!

Video and Report:  http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/392723.html

Previous Encounters:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391653.html?c=on#c189534

Reclaim Everything

Additions

KFC-Macdonalds well known dodgy drug dealer hangout!!+,especially Brixton

06.03.2008 10:35

KFC-Macdonalds well known drug dealer hangouts!!.
I have been regularly in Brixton on green business matters & see crack dealers allowed to hang around exactly where the demo is without dispersal+ at the local church round about. Helping keep girls& young boys on crack for a cheap prostitution supply.
Seems Locals who stand up to them & provide cycling & free food services are more likely to be arrested by police, disgraceful
makes you think about some of the polices political orders & motives

Joni


Comments

Hide the following 6 comments

FAO IMC

05.03.2008 21:13

...i added the text in a format that was far more readable than how it has been published above! Ive never had any problems pasting from Notepad before...If possible, could you do something to rectify it please? Cheers x

Reclaim Everything


RE: FAO IMC

06.03.2008 11:54

Typos have been corrected and the text should now display normally.

Thanks Reclaim your Food for posting these reports!

imcista


Tell me more

06.03.2008 12:17

I'm a journalist covering this story. If anyone has any info please email me at the address below.

I'm in one of the above pics as a "member of the public challenging a crap arrest". My face has been obscured, which is most considerate towards visitors to the site, but not strictly necessary!

Nick Horley
nick dot horley at gmail dot com

Nick Horley
mail e-mail: nick.horley@gmail.com


Brixton this Sunday?

06.03.2008 15:06

Is there a call-out for people to come to Brixton this Sunday?
If there is, iit would be good for people to come and support this local initiative, no!!

GRHH!


great job!

07.03.2008 12:51

hey guys.... good job! I remember when you where just 2 people doing f not b, it's great that you had support from so many people! I am out of the country now but will definitely come down when I get back!
have you all been released?

See u soon!!!

david


faces

07.03.2008 23:12

i obscure people's faces just out of respect of the fact that they havent explicitly informed me that they consent to their picture being put on the internet, especially in relation to issues which could be deemed sensetive.

now i know that you dont mind having your face shown, i wont blur it in future!


safe...

Reclaim Everything


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