The detention and imminent deportation of Amdani Juma, a well-known and widely liked local activist, has generated considerable anger in Nottingham. There have been two well attended demonstrations in the Market Square, one on Saturday 31 May and a second on Monday 2 June. The latter was particularly successful at generating media interest, going out live on Central News.
The anger felt by many at Amdani's detention was only compounded by police intimidation of participants in the first demonstration that they should have sought permission and would be expected to do so for the second. This suggests a worrying ignorance of the law on the part of the Sergeant 2471. He told protesters that Section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 required that they obtain permission for any assemblies, despite the fact that that section clearly relates only to processions and marches and not to static assemblies. When it came to it, the police presence on Monday evening was minimal, although a Community Protection Officer with a CCTV camera attached to his head was prominently visible.
Urgent Action: Amdani Juma: Questions for Liam Byrne | Amdani Juma: Letter to the airline | Amdani Juma: Petition | Amdani Juma: Letter to Home Office | Online Petition
Newswire: A message from Amdani in Lindholme detention centre | Demo to support Amdani Juma, Nottingham activist, at risk of deportation - Pics | It is OUR square and it is OUR right to protest in it whenever we want | A demonstration in support of Amdani Juma Saturday 31st May @ 12.30
Photos: Demo to support Amdani Juma, Nottingham activist, at risk of deportation - Saturdays Pics | Demo to support Amdani Juma, activist, at risk of deportation - Mondays Pics | CPO's with HeadCam, at protests against deportation of Amdani Juma
Previous Features: Another Nottingham Activist Detained For Deportation | Refugees In Need Of Community Protection? | Nottingham Asylum-Seekers will be Heard
Links: Friends of Amdani | Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum | Nottingham Refugee Campaign Group | No Borders Nottingham | Notts Indymedia Migration topic page
Campaigners dubbed both protests major successes. The second attracted a number of high profile supporters including Alan Simpson MP and a (noticeably quieter) Jon Collins. On Saturday there was little conflict with the many passing shoppers. Monday's protest attracted a more varied response with a few hecklers and one "Send him back" banner, although the owner of said article was engaged in an extensive and hopefully fruitful discussion.
Community Plod try to intimidate Amdani Rally ~ or something less dramatic
06.06.2008 00:26
Before news of this act of terror by the repressive state apparatus begins to circulate the wires, it might be worth pointing out that the Community Plod arrived at the Monday rally at the request of the City Council Leader (who spoke in support of Amdani) after the event had been twice disrupted, the second time by an angry young lad who threatened to 'slap' one of the speakers. Admittedly this may have been a clever ruse ~ there was definitely a camera hat, one possibly recording the faces which are now available anyway on this excellent website. Not denying there is an issue of surveillance / control of public space but we 'radicals' do tend to over-egg the pudding from time to time.
Rob
e-mail:
jorobdansam@ntlworld.com