Alan Lodge's Blog

Zoe from out Green festival at 5.51min

Laws Progress & Confliction

I wanted to add some remarks with a bearing on the previous post here …..

I wrote some notes on the advance of the law back in June. From March, the country had been in ‘lockdown’ and some were holding events with little concern for public health. Events were also held in ‘nature reserves’ there was some violence and then leaving a humongous mess.
The covid-19 restrictions have been eased somewhat since then, but gatherings of more than 30 outside are still prohibited under new regulations. I have been concerned at increasingly obnoxious tightening of law and restrictions on gathering since the 1980’s, dealing with protest, gatherings, festivals, travellers etc …. High Court Injunctions, the Public Order Act 1986, Entertainments (Increased Penalties) Act 1990 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. All this before the next shed-load that I’ve been writing about and predicting that is still to come. All of those laws were brought about by government concerned at our ability to organise and enjoy events put on by ‘our tribes’ and wishing to live life free of their oppressive rule.
But, I do now find myself conflicted. I have done my best to advise and stand up against all of the above because the law was designed to favour those vested interests in governmental control, attempts to squash dissent and the centuries old practice of restricting access to ‘our land’. Now however, the current restrictions are trying to deal with public health. Surely, this is proper and we should have greater regard for the health and wellbeing of all of us. It is inconvenient I know, with people chomping at the bit to ‘get on down’ with each other and socialise in our tribes again. The health concern will be used by authorities as a convenient excuse to excerpt the control they have always been trying to do, but the issue is a real concern to society at large and I think we should have a care for others who may be affected. Hence my confliction.

The Home Office’s Stay Home ad is soundtracked by heavy drum ‘n’ bass

The UK government has made a video telling people not to rave, oddly using a rowdy drum ‘n’ bass track to accompany it.

The Home Office released the info video today (February 18). You’ll recognise the style of video – and music choice – from the anti-piracy adverts used before films back in the day.

In it, the loud and brash d’n’b plays over a montage of police body cam footage of officers attending parties and illegal gatherings under the UK’s COVID-19 restrictions. If anything, the tune in question just makes you want to go out raving even more.

Phrases that flash up on screen include ‘You shouldn’t go to parties’, ‘You shouldn’t make your own pub’ (referencing one party that put up a ‘COVID ARMS’ sign), ‘You shouldn’t go to raves’, ‘You shouldn’t hold baby showers’, ‘You shouldn’t be meeting up’ and ‘Meeting up is against the law’.

All gatherings are currently against the law.

Stay Home. Protect The NHS. Save Lives. pic.twitter.com/Bg7wyN7chF— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) February 17, 2021

It’s very doubtful the Home Office didn’t know what it was doing by using a d’n’b tune and digging into nostalgia with the anti-piracy ad. Their plan clearly worked as the vid’s caused a storm on social media with people wondering WTF is going on.

People are mainly kicking off that the caption says ‘All gatherings are against the law’, with human rights barrister Adam Wagner saying the “tweet and video grossly misstate the law.”

Despite the UK being in lockdown, illegal raves have been happening all over the country. They’ve even continued to happen with £10,000 fines being dished out to organisers that are caught and £800 fines being issued to those found at gatherings of more than 15 people.

A new report from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Night Time Economy has called on the government to take urgent action to save the nightlife industry in the UK. The group – made up of over 40 MPs – claims nightlife could face “extinction” if the industry is not supported by the government properly. Dave Turner. MixMag

Here, the prime minister leaves Parliament after PM Questions. Some protest. MP’s and local government counsellors make speeches. During election campaigns, I photographed various candidates at the hustings. David Blunket MP, Home Secretary visited Nottingham after the infamous murder of 14 year old Danielle Beccan. Attended the G8 when the UK had the Presidency of Justice and Home Affairs ministerial meetings in Sheffield. Rev. Jesse Jackson visited Nottingham, supporting ‘Operation Black Vote’. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has assorted church meeting and met with local politicians.
A previous Labour leadership campaign, Jeremy Corbyn created a ‘media frenzy’. Other people and events can be seen in the ‘news coverage’ gallery.

I started taking pictures, at the end of the 70’s. I wanted to communicate something of what it was like to be a young rootless “Traveller”. Because I was one. Many looked at the various examples provided by gypsies here and in Europe; to nomadic people across the world. To try life outside the house in many different ways and to pick and select those means that make life comfortable, easy and meaningful. The ‘bender’, the Indian ‘tipi’, the Moroccan ‘yurt’, the Romany ‘bow top’, the western two-man tent, the truck and the double decker bus. Life on the road in an old £300 1960’s bus, truck or trailer seemed like a bloody good option weighed against the prospect of life on the dole in some dirty city where the only values being espoused by the Tory Government were those of me, me , me and more me – what was a poor boy to do. Five of you – £60 each , forget about the Tax and Insurance, let’s just chuck a few mattresses in the back of the Bella Vega and head for the nearest festival where we will be welcomed. Anarchists, venusians, pikies, pixies, conspiracy fugitives, old school, new school, never been to fucking school – wheeler, dealers – tryers, flyers, out and out liars – saints, sinners – all of them strangers in their own very strange land.
[This set from early 1980’s shot on transparency film, all before digitals].

Arts, crafts, installations, graffiti, performance ….. and many things able and mysterious.
Here a selection from commissions, university degree shows and galleries. Productions by local artists, sculpture and examples of public and performance arts.

Earlier work covering the free festivals and those from a traveller background. Living in old busses, trucks and caravans, driving around the country on ‘the circuit’ with family and friends. Since the late 1970’s have been photographing events and the people around I found interesting. Dealing with aspects of ‘alternative’ lifestyles and sub-cultures. From photographing many free and commercial events the project grew to encompass ‘free party’ events (‘rave culture’), environment protest, land rights with surrounding social concerns. Always aiming to present a more positive view of people and communities that are so frequently misrepresented.

This set presented in submission for an MA degree in Photography at Nottingham Trent University where I specialised in issues surrounding representation.

Following the Enclosure Acts of the 18th and 19th centuries, many of the highest and wildest areas of moorland and mountains – previously common land open to all – ramblers without a permit were often forcibly evicted. Engaging in a spot of direct action up on Kinder Scout in 1932, 400 walkers from Sheffield and Manchester met a line of some 30 keepers and scuffles resulted.

Six were arrested and charged with public order offences. At trial, Benny Rothman said: “We ramblers, after a hard week’s work in smoky towns and cities, go out rambling for relaxation, a breath of fresh air, a little sunshine. But we find when we go out that the finest rambling country is closed to us, just because certain individuals wish to shoot for about ten days a year.”

A century-old campaign for the cherished “freedom to roam” across mountain and moorland was reached with the long awaited passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act in December 2000.

During news coverage, incidents and situations are frequently attended by police. I have attended news conferences, armed situations and public order incidents. The opening of police stations and civic engagements.

Within this set, you can see some specialist police units in action, scenes of crime officers, drug confiscation, underwater search unit and the helicopter. I have always had an interest in police surveillance methods and equipment used. Have covered many protest and public order situations, examples here include union and cuts protests, right-wing / EDL demonstrations, prevention of gatherings at Stonehenge. Environment protest and the policing action at Ratcliffe-on Soar power station. I have been called to give defence evidence in court.

As a cyclist myself, I have always been interested in major events such as ‘The Tour of Britain’ and the ‘Milk Race’. These are quite prestigious events with the winners being honoured with a cheque and the customary champagne fizzy shower, [resulting in me having to wipe down my cameras before damage!]. Just as enthusiastic, I find youths doing their stunts, down at the skate park.

The National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont is home to assorted canoeing and kayaking competitions including those held by the British Canoe Union and the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. Some here are athletes preparing for inclusion in the British teams to the Olympic Games. Nottingham has also been holding Dragon Boats races along the River Trent.

Also contact sports which includes Shrovetide ‘Mob’ Football event in Ashbourne Derbyshire. A fine anarchistic and weird event going back perhaps for nearly a 1000 years. There is loads of violence, but not too much animosity.

Today would have been the Shrovetide ‘Mob’ Football event in Ashbourne Derbyshire. It’s off of course this year… as you can see the difficulties in maintaining any ‘social distancing’. So, here is a selection from past years. I have been to it for many years, it is a fine anarchistic and weird event going back perhaps for nearly a 1000 years. I have frequently take younger photographers with me. There is loads of violence, but not much animosity. It thus good training, in that if you can keep your ‘sealegs’ in this situation, then you can do toe to toe with the Metropolitan police more effectively!

Have been beavering away, here in the webcave, to update and improve my main website. Because of recent difficulties that photographers are having with the law [ yet again] I have updated my advice page about it all. Have just checked all the links for those that want to go at it in any depth.

Latest Stonehenge photo-zine with Cafe Royal Books

£7.85 inc postage. https://paypal.me/alanlodge
See other Zine ‘pageturners’ in my Playlist @ https://bit.ly/3joI6Up

Thanks xx

Had my Covid_19 jab this morning …. all is well.

https://www.channel4.com/news/zimbabwe-anti-corruption-song-dem-loot-goes-viral

Priti Patel has refused to criticise the arrest of a journalist for photographing a peaceful protest outside a controversial asylum centre, despite the case being dropped.

In the Commons, the home secretary was urged to review police guidance following the detention of Andy Aitchison and agree that he “should have a clean record as he has committed no offence”.

Instead, Ms Patel appeared to back the arrest – before claiming she could not comment further for legal reasons, even though the journalist will face no further action.

“All decisions on arrests are an operational matter for the police, and the police make arrests in line with their duties to keep the peace and to protect the community,” she told MPs.

Read more

• ‘It’s censorship’: Journalist arrested after photographing protest outside controversial asylum camp

The arrest of Mr Aitchison, first reported by The Independent, after he shared photos of the demonstration outside Napier military barracks in Kent, which now houses asylum seekers, sparked fears over press freedom.

Protesters held up signs saying “Close Napier now” and “Priti Patel There will be blood on your hands” after at least 120 men at the barracks tested positive for Covid-19.

Six hours later, five police officers arrived at Mr Aitchison’s nearby home and arrested him, in front of his children, on suspicion of criminal damage.

A media freedom alert was filed with the Council of Europe and submissions have been made to the UN special rapporteur on human rights over Mr Aitchison’s treatment.

During Home Office questions, the Conservative MP Damian Collins, who represents the constituency where Mr Aitchison lives, raised his case, highlighting how the photographer was “held for questioning for seven hours”.

“The police confiscated his mobile phone and photo camera card and last Friday the charges were dropped and case closed,” he said.

He asked Ms Patel to “agree there should be a review of the guidance given to the police before action like this is taken against accredited journalists” – and that Mr Aitchison had “committed no offence”

In reply, the home secretary said it was a matter for Kent Police, before claiming: “I’m afraid, at this stage, that’s all I can say because an arrest has been made.”

Ducking the call for new guidance, she told Mr Collins: “I have no doubt that Kent Police will continue to keep all interested parties, including my right honourable friend, updated.”

Read more

• Case dropped against journalist arrested after taking photos of protest outside controversial asylum camp
• Priti Patel says government should have closed borders last March to stop coronavirus
• Priti Patel accused of dodging parliament over police computer record loss
• Lockdown: Priti Patel unable to define ‘local’ in tangled defence of Boris Johnson’s bike ride

Mr Aitchison told The Independent he was “disappointed” by Ms Patel’s response and her refusal to commit to a “much needed” review of guidance for police in handling accredited journalists.

“She does not seem to acknowledge the significance of my unlawful arrest. She seems to suggest that my arrest was in line with keeping the peace and protecting communities, which is obviously untrue as I was merely doing my job and documenting a peaceful protest,” he said.

“I am concerned that the wrongful arrest of journalists reporting on sensitive issues will continue. This seems to be a repetitive issue for many journalists, particularly photojournalists, and it has to stop.  

“The freedom to report seems even more pertinent during a lockdown where people are unable to move about freely.”

Criticism has been mounting about conditions at the Ministry of Defence site since it was repurposed in September for housing hundreds of asylum seekers.

Residents have been banned from leaving the camp since mid-January because of the Covid outbreak, and the protest came before a fire that Ms Patel suggested was started deliberately.

Ian Murray, director of the Society of Editors, criticised the police action, saying: “We are constantly told journalists, including press photographers, are an essential part of our democratic system in this country and a free media is to be protected.

“But words are not enough. It is actions that count and arresting press photographers is not something that should be happening in a liberal democracy.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-journalist-asylum-centre-protest-b1799294.html

https://www.nuj.org.uk/news/nuj-calls-on-journalists-to-back-foi-campaign-with-subject

or more accurately, avoiding the issues …….

Damian Collins MP, formerChair of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, speaking in the House of Commons to the Home Secretary : “Would my right honourable friend agree there should be a review of the guidance given to the police before action like this is taken against accredited journalists”

Book Layouts : An Assortment