Arrests Expected for Smash EDO Mayday Demonstration

After the 1990 Poll Tax riot in London the cops seized footage from the media and also released pictures of suspects to the press who then set up hotlines to grass up rioters. It then became clear to many that photographers and videographers at riots are always to be told to fuck off. If they don't , then they should be removed by force. Not everyone is always one of those down the front hardcore types but anyone who gives a toss about the liberty of fellow demonstraters can go up to photographers and tell them to go away.

This was put into practice and became obvious to anyone who was up for it. This lesson has slowly been forgotten or has not been picked up by a newer generation. It's time to re-introduce it.

The small fracas at the G20 in London this year was the most overblown riot there ever was. People who were breaking RBS's windows did so surrounded by a crescent shape of media who recorded everything. Hence the poor young Liththuanian guy who, somewhat carried away, was nicked for trying to set alight to a RBS blind featured in numerous press photos. Hard to argue that one in court!

So we have reached a crazy time where anything and everyone is photographed by a million people (protestors as well who post to blogs). Not only is this depressing that people spend more time spectating and photographing actions and riots than actually being a part of it but this result in people going to prison.

To me, it doesn't matter who's taking the photos - people should not photograph people doing illegal things. Film the cops, film arrests but don't put people inside.