www.smashedo.org.uk
PRESS RELEASE
30th November 2005.
EMBARGO: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Andrew Beckett or Sarah Johnson
07875 708873
Peace Activists in Brighton have taken the unusual
step of negotiating with the police via an open
letter. The text of the letter is as follows:
OPEN LETTER TO SUSSEX POLICE
We represent a coalition of peace activists who are
against the presence of a weapons manufacturing plant
in Moulsecoombe. Activists have called for a
demonstration in the centre of town on 10th December,
International Human Rights Day, followed by a march to
the Level.
The last time protestors attempted to march peacefully
through town on August 13th, they were confronted by a
large number of police including officers from the
Met.
Approximately 50 protestors were prevented from
marching down North Rd, which was blocked by police
dogs. Police pushed the marchers into a side street,
preventing them from demonstrating and made four
arrests including that of an eighty two year old man
and a sixteen year old girl.
We understand that you have repeatedly attempted to
communicate with campaigners in order to negotiate
events on the 10th December. It has been suggested
that organisers co-operate with the police if they
want the right to demonstrate.
Extracts from emails received from PC Sean Mcdonald
12th October: I am more than willing to assist
organising your protest on 10th December to ensure it
passes peacefully. If you do not wish to interact with
us then we will encounter similar problems to last
time.
23rd November: Presently you have not outlined what
your proposals are for this day and our planning must
reflect this. On 13th August this year you held a
similar "event" and you were aware how this was
Policed.(sic)
We find this approach unnecessarily threatening and
the fact that you deployed over 100 officers to make
arrests for minor public order offences, three of
which cases have already been dropped , says that you
were clearly in the wrong on that day. It is therefore
wrong to threaten us with similar behaviour as we
exercise our democratic rights.
The unfortunate fact is that you have been extremely
swift to pass on information about activists to
Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden, the solicitor acting for
EDO MBM in the injunction trial. Anybody stepping
forward as an organiser runs the risk of becoming
involved in a potentially ruinous civil trial. (As a
result of the legal costs of an injunction taken out
by Lawson-Cruttenden in Cambridgeshire, one activist
nearly lost her home). It was Inspector Kerry Cox who
initially suggested the idea of an injunction to EDO
MBM to restrict protest at the factory. If the
defendants win, can they expect an apology from you?
Nor has your behaviour as a force during the Labour
Party Conference, where you detained Walter Wolfgang
under the Terrorism Act, and arrested another man for
wearing an offensive T –shirt, filled us with any
confidence over your regard for civil liberties.
You say your actions on August 13th were intended to
prevent “serious disruption to the life of the
community”. We say that demonstrations and marches are
a vital part of the life of the community, not a
disruption of it! We intend nothing more than to
peacefully gather in Churchill Square and march to the
Level to spread our message about Brighton’s
involvement in the arms trade. We do not believe that
in a democratic society we should have to apply to the
police for permission to assemble. We suggest that you
reconsider your approach and allow us to march on the
10th.
Yours faithfully
Michelle Tester
www.smashedo.org.uk
PRESS RELEASE
30th November 2005.
EMBARGO: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Andrew Beckett or Sarah Johnson
07875 708873
Peace Activists in Brighton have taken the unusual
step of negotiating with the police via an open
letter. The text of the letter is as follows:
OPEN LETTER TO SUSSEX POLICE
We represent a coalition of peace activists who are
against the presence of a weapons manufacturing plant
in Moulsecoombe. Activists have called for a
demonstration in the centre of town on 10th December,
International Human Rights Day, followed by a march to
the Level.
The last time protestors attempted to march peacefully
through town on August 13th, they were confronted by a
large number of police including officers from the
Met.
Approximately 50 protestors were prevented from
marching down North Rd, which was blocked by police
dogs. Police pushed the marchers into a side street,
preventing them from demonstrating and made four
arrests including that of an eighty two year old man
and a sixteen year old girl.
We understand that you have repeatedly attempted to
communicate with campaigners in order to negotiate
events on the 10th December. It has been suggested
that organisers co-operate with the police if they
want the right to demonstrate.
Extracts from emails received from PC Sean Mcdonald
12th October: I am more than willing to assist
organising your protest on 10th December to ensure it
passes peacefully. If you do not wish to interact with
us then we will encounter similar problems to last
time.
23rd November: Presently you have not outlined what
your proposals are for this day and our planning must
reflect this. On 13th August this year you held a
similar "event" and you were aware how this was
Policed.(sic)
We find this approach unnecessarily threatening and
the fact that you deployed over 100 officers to make
arrests for minor public order offences, three of
which cases have already been dropped , says that you
were clearly in the wrong on that day. It is therefore
wrong to threaten us with similar behaviour as we
exercise our democratic rights.
The unfortunate fact is that you have been extremely
swift to pass on information about activists to
Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden, the solicitor acting for
EDO MBM in the injunction trial. Anybody stepping
forward as an organiser runs the risk of becoming
involved in a potentially ruinous civil trial. (As a
result of the legal costs of an injunction taken out
by Lawson-Cruttenden in Cambridgeshire, one activist
nearly lost her home). It was Inspector Kerry Cox who
initially suggested the idea of an injunction to EDO
MBM to restrict protest at the factory. If the
defendants win, can they expect an apology from you?
Nor has your behaviour as a force during the Labour
Party Conference, where you detained Walter Wolfgang
under the Terrorism Act, and arrested another man for
wearing an offensive T –shirt, filled us with any
confidence over your regard for civil liberties.
You say your actions on August 13th were intended to
prevent “serious disruption to the life of the
community”. We say that demonstrations and marches are
a vital part of the life of the community, not a
disruption of it! We intend nothing more than to
peacefully gather in Churchill Square and march to the
Level to spread our message about Brighton’s
involvement in the arms trade. We do not believe that
in a democratic society we should have to apply to the
police for permission to assemble. We suggest that you
reconsider your approach and allow us to march on the
10th.
Yours faithfully
Michelle Tester
www.smashedo.org.uk
e-mail:
Homepage:
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
Reply to Open Letter
02.12.2005 15:34
I do not propose engaging in an open letter debate here but would make one point only.
The proposed march was NOT banned by Sussex Police as we were not aware, until this open letter, that the protestors/activists were preparing to march anywhere. (It was always described as a mass demo). Of course it could be banned.
That said I have replied saying that we will do all we can to facilitate a march and I have even proposed a route!
This has also been agreed by the senior Officer on this day. All we need is a little co-operation and this can all be achieved.
I am fully aware that there is no relationship of trust but I am, in some small way, attempting to achieve some dialogue to change a few things. And don't try to tell me we are too polarised. Dialogue and peace has been achieved in MUCH more difficult circumstances.
Am I being unreasonable??
PC Sean McDonald
the point is....
02.12.2005 20:13
It is not you or sussex police who have achieved peace in much more difficult circumstances.
You and sussex police want to limit, control and provoke peaceful demonstrations to save their budget.
Sussex police suggested the injunction to arms dealers EDO as a way to do this.
If sussex police retract their support for draconian attacks on civil liberty maybe then their might be some dialogue. Till then no trust can be earned by you or your force.
There are no Brighton and hove representatives on the sussex police authority. It is run by rural tories.
Sussex police do not reflect the concerns of the local community in the city-only their budget worries. Therefore expect your bills to rise till you back off and leave people alone.
Priz
Please contact me
03.12.2005 22:32
I would, however, really like to see if we can work out something before 10th
If you want to speak to me I work at Hove Police Station where you can phone me. (Sussex Police 0845 6070999 and ask for me) SMASHEDO have my e-mail address and I am willing to speak with anyone who wants to. Call in if you want, I'll make you coffee.
And this is not a hoax, I really am PC McDonald (CM440)
PC Sean McDonald
PC Sean McDonald
You weren't invited Copper
03.12.2005 23:04
Indymedia is NOT a service for coppers to leave messages or to impose draconian restrictions on us through - personally I hope that loads of people sit in the street and argue in court that they were following your advice to follow the actions of Gandhi and MLK.
BTW - Gandhi never got permission from the British State for his civil disobedience - he just went ahead and did it.
By your own reckoning, we should too.
Doorman Dave