Alan Lodge's Blog

Forward Intelligence Unit of the Metropolitan Police:  FIT

FITwatch

The object is to make them feel uncomfortable going about their business as them seem to like to make others. Further, to identify their own objects, to database their activity and to stand up for our own lawful actions. It’s all, in fact, a question of civil liberties.

Please check out some of the earlier coverage in this and related issues.  As you see, there is loads to say about it.

Police surveillance: ‘They’re focusing on the press more than the protesters’ – Guardian 6 March 2009

Under surveillance: police target environmental protesters and journalists – Guardian 6 March 2009

Surveillance of arms trade campaigner was unlawful, says appeal court – Guardian 21 May 2009

Fit Watch campaigners describe how they were arrested and bundled to the ground – Guardian 21 June 2009

Arrested for asking a policeman for his badge number – Guardian 21 June 2009

Predatory policing – Guardian 22 June 2009

Arrest of the Fit Watch three. Police officers arrest a FIT Watch protesters for photographing officers without identify numbers – Jess Hurd

My personal agenda is I’m having a stab at dealing with the folks who have so changed the perception of photography, that my ‘own side’ now has.  In thinking that cameras in the first instance, might be surveillance, rather than our own object in trying to ‘big up’ this issues I care about. They are responsible for this general mistrust, that photographers now feel under.  In short.  bastards!

There is a misunderstanding thinking that all policemen with camera are FIT, Forward Intelligence Unit of the Metropolitan Police FIT.  They are not. there are:

1) Constables get given a camera for the afternoon.
2) EG evidence gatherers. they have been on a course and understand a bit of the technicals and the rules of evidence.
3) FIT. these are like EG but they are specifically a division of the Metropolitan Police. that are supposed to be apparent, and give you the idea that you are being watched, I case you do sommat wrong. To intimidate this involved in ‘issues’,  in fact.

If you want to get involved, just do it really, and help by exposing their work.  these are my latest examples

Nottingham Demos & Surveillance continue [July] at Heckler & Koch weapons HQ

FITwatch blog entry – Victory for Fitwatchers Everywhere as FIT Hide in Car:

Statement

Time / Date: 8:00pm  Saturday 18^th July 2009

Location: ‘’Psytrance dance tent’ TreeFest Event.  Newstead, Nottinghamshire

Situation:

I am a freelance photographer with an interest in a wide range of social issues, news and events. In this capacity, and with the agreement of the event organisers, I had attended this festival / event with the objective of recording a body of work, to describe it.

I had initially arrived at about 1.00pm.  At about 8.00pm I am passing one of the ‘dance tents’ a large white marquee located off a path alongside the festival field. Inside the tent, I see a couple of people behind the DJ desk being searched by a police officer. PC1090 I then took an initial couple of pictures from about at least 12-15 feet away, of this search taking place.  As ever, I am careful about keeping what I consider to be a ‘respectful distance’, thus to give no cause to have my actions considered to be an obstruction.

I was about to take another, when I was approached by another officer WPC285. She told me to stop taking pictures and that I should leave. I stated that I was being of good order, that I was a press photographer and that I wished to continue to record the scene. I then showed my press card which was instantly dismissed.  I pointed out that I was taking photographs from a distance. She then became quite agitated and continued to advance on me shouting at me to stop and that I was obstructing them. I reiterated that I was not, and further, did not wish to do so.  About this time she pushed me in the chest backward.  I asked her not to do that, and said she should not assault me. The other officer also added from time to time that I was obstructing them, and also, I believe, he would have seen this action.  Aside from my interest in the original scene, I have continued to take photographs, now of the officers concerned and their actions, since I thought that they might be of use evidentially.

I produced a copy of the “Nottinghamshire Police – Guidelines for police and media at incidents”. Again, there is no interest shown in them, and they are pushed back at me. WPC285 then demanded my date of birth. She had then noted my name from the card. I declined saying that as I hadn’t done anything wrong, and that if I was not under arrest, then I didn’t wish to as I didn’t believe that the officer had any cause.

She left me when it appeared that. PC1090 had finished dealing with the search of the original subjects. They were then conducting a further search on another, outside of the marquee.  I decided not to follow them to this new situation, but instead withdrew.

This initial incident had lasted so 5 – 6 minutes.

Photographs of reference numbers:

090718_D70_266.jpg – 090718_D70_286.jpg

derived from 19 of the original photographs, describing the scene. I have secured the originals, directly from the camera, should there be any question about their veracity.

Feeling aggrieved by this exchange, I then went to an area behind the main stage at the event. There were a couple of police vehicles stationed there and I thought I might find a senior officer to discuss my concerns. I have a recording function on my mobile telephone and thinking that some better evidence may be required, I record the conversation.

At approx 8.15pm I approached the only officer in attendance there, designated as Neighbourhood Warden from Gedling Borough. I enquired after the presence of a senior officer. Was told that there wasn’t one on site at that time. He told me of the existence of two PC’s on site at the moment, but it soon became apparent that these were the officers I was wishing to discuss. I asked if a sergeant or inspector was due, and he said they would be attending latter. I pointed out that it was my object, to discuss the issue in person, in the first instance, rather than telephone or make it ‘official’. I was also thinking that I might end up in a similar situation again at the event, and rather than take it up at a latter date, I really did want the issue straightened out while I was still there.

It was unfortunate that during this conversation that the officers concerned then returned. The initial words from WPC285 at some volume were “Oh, he’s here again, your obstructing us, move away from our vehicles”. The other officer in support then continued, again at some volume to maintain that I was, and still am, obstructing them. I made it clear I was very unhappy with their behaviour. I had come to this area to complain, and I am now being told to move away.

On saying that if I couldn’t get satisfaction here and now, that I would be putting it in writing later then. They identified themselves at WPC285 & PC1090 from Ravenshead police station and their senior was Inspector Nolan. When asked if he was coming here later the response was “you’ve got to be kidding’ haven’t you?”. I said my only option then was to put it all in writing. WPC285 then demanded my details. If I was under arrest, then I would provide details. But, I declined saying that I’d done nothing wrong. There was then some discussion about the seizing of the camera for evidence. Realising that again this situation is covered in the Nottinghamshire Police Guidelines I have attempted to draw the officers attention to the relevant sections. They again have no interest in these so I’ve read some of them aloud so that I thought there could be no ambiguity about their meaning. They continue with the notion that I’ve obstructing them. Because we’ve started to ‘go round again’ I say that If they really believe that, then I should be arrested, but I still maintain that I had not and had done nothing wrong. At about 8.20pm they have then arrested me and I was cautioned. The mobile phone recording the conversation was then forcibly removed from me and stopped. We are next to a police van, and when told, I get in.

After being searched by PC1090, he put my camera and mobile phone into a brown bag. A copy of the guidelines that I had, were now on the table, and I asked for them to be put in the bag also. Being now under arrest, they already had my name, and when asked again, I provided my date of birth. A radio check being made on me, returned the previous offence of obstruction.

My press card was then in dispute saying that I may have forged it! I pointed out that it could easily be verified by the ‘verification hotline’ number on the back. The officer then tried this firstly not being able to get through, and then was told that the service was unavailable. I believe that another officer then rang the Nottingham Evening Post to see if there was another number to try. I chimed in to say that it was only just in the previous week that I’d rang it myself, to make sure that I had remembered my PIN number. It all worked fine then. We agreed that it might be because it was the weekend. After a bit more administration he tried again, getting a different reply this time, asked me for my PIN, and all checked out.

I guess about an hour went by, me sitting patiently in the back of the police van. Not much seemed to be happening for a while, although we had a conversation about the difficulties of both our jobs.

I hadn’t noted the time, but I think about 9.30pm a female sergeant arrived at the scene. PC1090 told me I was being released. My camera and phone being returned. I spoke to the sergeant outlining my concerns on the way I had been treated. I again produced the guidelines and drew attention to the relevant parts. She asked when they were issued, me saying about 3 years ago now. She had never seen them before. I said I wasn’t surprised since I have only met a couple of officers who have in fact ever seen them. Most others, right up to chief inspector rank, had also never seen them. I gave her my copy for information, and she said she would study them. She said she would also contact Margaret Kirk at the Nottinghamshire Police Press Office for further guidance. Also we agreed that they really do need to be better advertised, since without knowledge of their provisions, they are proving to be useless. I gave her my phone number to let me know how she got on. This exchange was cordial. I said I was grateful for her listening to me. I then left the scene.

She phoned me on Monday afternoon, to say that she had contacted the press office, and that had only been able to leave a message. Asking for it to be forwarded to Ms Kirk. She said they may ring me directly.

____________________________________________

ALAN LODGE

Photographer

Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]

____________________________________________

Nottingham photographer ‘Tash’ strongly supports the British Journal of Photography Campaign

Police routinely invoke anti-terror legislation to prevent photographers from carrying out their work, and photojournalists are constantly filmed at public gatherings and their details kept on an ever-growing database. Tourists, particularly foreign tourists, are also targeted by police, as was the case with an Austrian father and son recently who made the mistake of photographing a building of an extremely sensitive nature—Walthamstow bus station.
Put simply, Britain has become a no-photo zone, and so if you fail to comply, you may find yourself liable to attack, arrest or harassment. Recognising that Britain is not the only country where such a draconian anti-photographer culture is developing, the British Journal of Photography is beginning an international visual campaign to raise awareness.

‘Not A Crime’  http://www.not-a-crime.com

The fight-back begins here – BJP 15 July

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=865556

Please add your own support,  It’s kinda urgent.

Join our rally in the Market Square on Friday 24th July at 5.15pm.

Show the government that Nottingham wants Amdani to stay
Help us make the rally big and loud.

The Friends of Amdani contact details: http//friendsofamdani.wordpress.com

In 2003, Amdani Juma, from Burundi, was given 3 years Humanitarian Protection in the UK. Since then, he has become a well-respected community worker in Nottingham, employed by the Nottingham Refugee Forum and the Terence Higgins Trust. In 2007 he applied to stay indefinitely in the UK – but was refused. In June
2008, he was detained and nearly deported. Only after a huge campaign, was he released pending a ‘Judicial Review’.

Since his detention, Amdani has not been allowed to work, but he has continued both campaigning for refugee and asylum rights, and as an advocate of HIV prevention.

Last year, Amdani won the Trent FM / Evening Post Award for ‘Inspirational Contribution to the City of Nottingham’; whilst local MP Alan Simpson wrote:
‘I am not aware of any refugee who has made the contribution to the city and its communities comparable to that made by Mr Juma. He is an outstanding asset. Removing him from the UK would leave Nottingham (and beyond) much the poorer. There is no one, particularly within the AIDS / HIV field who could replace the work he does.’

In December 2008, the Home Office gave Amdani permission to marry, saying they would look sympathetically at his application to stay in the UK (because of his legal ‘right to a family life’) if he withdrew his application for the ‘Judicial Review’. But no decision was made, and Amdani and his family suffered the anxiety of 6 months of ‘immigration limbo’. He recently received a letter refusing his application and threatening to deport him to Burundi. This letter gave no reasons for this refusal – and as such broke the Home Office’s own guidelines.

This is outrageous! Giving Amdani the right to stay here should be a no-brainer! His  contribution to Nottingham has been huge. 6000 people signed his e-petition. Over 200 have written letters of support. He is a role model for integration and community
cohesion. It would be another injustice for the government to split Amdani up from his wife and child and return him to the hostile environment of Burundi.
Now the Home Office seems to have changed their minds again, saying they will  reconsider the case. But can we trust them? Isn’t it time that they simply gave Amdani the positive decision we all want for him?

A torture survivor and pro-democracy activist, Amdani escaped death more than once. He has no family in Burundi; his cousin, brother and sister are all permanently resident in the UK or the Netherlands. Human Rights groups and the UN report ongoing human rights abuses and torture in Burundi.

Please sign the e-petition

Meet the Man YouTube

Protest Flyer

Firstly…. Happy Solstice!

Wot Free Festivals?  A further rant, from Tash

For those interested in this background, I ask you check these out:

Stonehenge:            http://tash.gn.apc.org/stones1.htm
Solstice Ritual:        http://tash.gn.apc.org/solst_0.htm
Beanfield:            http://tash.gn.apc.org/sh_bean.htm
The Story so far:         http://tash.gn.apc.org/history.htm

Personally, I come from a free festivals and travelling background. New Age Travellers etc.
A number of sayings have helped guide my life over time. Like….

Bring what you expect to find?
If not you, who?
If not now, when?
If not here, where?

In sum, this means self-reliance.  It means gatherings are ALWAYS better, when people attending don’t just attend , but are a main part of the act.  It is obvious to all those there, when this magic happens.

This is actually where I came in. 1972 Windsor, Stonehenge etc…..  These were my motives then and remain so now. Of course the authorities have difficulty with a system that means they are not in sole charge, hence all the law and violence since the Beanfield etc……

Over time, I have been involved in raising awareness about the law changes and their implications to us all.

·    Public Order Act 1986
·    Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
·    Noise Act
·    Barry Legg MP: Places of Entertainments (Increased Penalty) Act
·    Security Services Act
·    Terrorism Acts

And now all the Acts  that have been going through parliament –  with the words
“conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose” being a new definition of serious crime!!!

With such new definitions of serious crime, that enable the use of some ‘heavier’ police departments to be applied against us.  And was the end of all the RTS and similar gigs.
Shame eh?

Then, in ‘rave mode’, I have spent time with the Velvet Revolution and All Systems gigs, I had written ‘Sound Advice’ and the ‘Right to Party’ – to try and raise these matters in peoples minds.
Well, we have lost each of the matters I’m on about here.   Whoever you vote for, the government gets in!

Now, what I am absolutely positive about though, is that people involved in the scene,
DID NOT DO ENOUGH ABOUT ANY OF IT AS IT HAPPENED AND NOW IS STILL GOING ON.

People have to realise that self-interest and their own immediate happiness  ( hedonism?), is not enough to make a festival, party rave, traveller site, gathering.
Important, but not enough.

Some folks on reading this will have been too young, to have had any objection to these changes as they have happened over recent years.   But many others of you will have been.

The way gatherings are now organised,  between those trying to conform with some pretty onerous conditions, (ie half to 2/3 of a ticket price to ‘self-police’ and pay for your own public order management and drug search.!) and those involved with the ‘free’ end of things but at continued ‘personal’ rather than ‘sheared’ risks.

This division is of course orchestrated by the other side.

This [old] hippy  Is now of the opinion that folk have now got the events / gathering / party they deserve.   Folks say that they haven’t seen me at many festivals in recent years …… well, there haven’t been any, have there? not what I mean anyway. I would be interested to know what folks think we should do about it.

Discuss……..

Love
Tash
http://tash.gn.apc.org/INDEX.htm

Arrested for asking a policeman for his badge number – Guardian

The Guardian has obtained this police footage of Emily Apple and Val Swain being arrested by surveillance officers after asking for their badge numbers at the Kingsnorth climate camp last year. The two women speak to Paul Lewis about their arrest, imprisonment and official complaint

Fit Watch campaigners describe how they were arrested and bundled to the ground

Val Swain and Emily Apple, campaigners against surveillance of police forward intelligence teams, were held in custody for four days after challenging police officer over failure to display badge number – Guardian 21 June 2009

Squatters in the JB Spray Building, [Russell Street, Radford, Nottingham, NG7 4FL] prevented Severn-Trent water from cutting them off.

My report in Indymedia with piccys

Nottingham Squatters in the JB Spray Building, prevent water company from cutting them off

On tuesday afternoon [16th June] workmen were observed in the street outside, marking the road, ready to dig.  They intended to cut the supply to the building, from out in the road. Folks then went out and sat in the road to prevent any work from being started. A few supporters were scrambled and arrived to help out. Some comfy chairs and tables were deployed. Tea, bread and jam supplied, and folks settled down.

The workmen found the whole issue amusing and took photos of each other, with the protesters 🙂 All were amused. They were all quite friendly gezzers, with no personal issues about the situation. The Advisory Service for Squatters were contacted for advice, and they were helpful in talking directly to water company managers. The situation lasted 2 – 3 hours, before they all went away. People are of course, on the look-out for their return.

The J B Spray Building has been re-squatted for the 4th time [in as many years], over the last few weeks.

This large industrial building need some care and attention. Each time people have been evicted by the owners obtaining a temporary possession order. Then, years go by, and on peoples’ return, they discover that the building has fallen into yet greater dis-repair. The upper stories of the building are now so decrepid.  For a grade 2 listed building, this is such a shame.

Imagine, if people had been previously left alone, then they would have helped in maintenance, improvements and given the building, and the street, some security.

Still, back in the real world …… owners may say they are entitled to possession and all court has to do is establish that fact to grant orders.  FOR FUCKS SAKE. where is the sense in it all?

The law supports this state of affairs and in my opinion completely lacks the social responsibility that communities should expect.  Many squatters care about such places. There are so many empty properties. There is so much need for shelter. So many communities are blighted by the dereliction  of their surroundings.

Hoarders blamed for home deficit  BBC

and all the law can think about is the owners possession.

Squatting is about direct action to take some direct responsibly for the improvement of community, and i wish them well.

In my experience of squatting, owners / authorities generally use electric and gas supply as a weapon to help them remove folks. Action on water is a new one on me. Water being so basic to human existence.  The squatters handbook [p37] points out that where water is already connected: Section 1 Schedule 4A of the Water Industry Act 1999 makes it unlawful to disconnect “any dwelling which is occupied by a person as his only or principle home”.

Water Industry Act 1999 – Schedule 4

Water Industry Act 1999

Check out the Nottingham City Council – Buildings at Risk Web Site

PDF / page 137 for details of the building.

Quote :: “Planning History
None. The owner is unwilling to sell the property and prefers community uses.”

Yea, right!

So, there you have it.

Advisory Service for Squatters
Angel Alley,
84b Whitechapel High St,
London
E1 7QX
advice@squatter.org.uk
http://www.squatter.org.uk

Section 6

Section 6 – Legal Warning [to print out]

Section 6 – Legal Warning [download]

Earlier coverage of ‘dis place

2006 Nottingham J B Spray Building Squatted / Evicted / Reoccupied

2006 Nottingham Spray Building Squat, Radford

2006 Nottingham Spray Squat Party 1 : Acoustic Gig

2006 Nottingham Spray Building Squat : Nottingham County Court Appearance

2006 Nottingham Spray Squat Party 2 : Acoustic Gig, with diner

2007 Nottingham Spray Building ‘spring into action’ open for business

2007 Nottingham Spring into Action :: Bicycle power for electric generation

Two photographers and a lawyer, nattering about their common interests.

PhotoLegal is a podcast exploring legal issues that affect UK Photographers, from copyright and protection of images on the internet, to the thorny questions about photography in public places and current anti-terrorism laws.

http://www.photolegal.com

Amazing!! Have just learned from the Nokia E71 blog, that I can make a blog posting here, direct from My Nokia 71, here in the street. Simply by send this as an email.

So, just checking
Testing, testing 123 ……

Cool eh!

___________________________________

note added afterwards:
Post to blog by Email
http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/post-by-email

What is wrong here?

Perhaps I should start a competition … but sadly, there is no prize  🙁

This is a Nottinghamshire Police vehicle,  parked on double yellows, while his mate goes into Sainsbury’s. If you or I did this, and we’re spotted, then we can expect a ticket. If on an emergency call, then fair enough, but for their convenience while shopping ….. no.

You might consider it petty of me, but I have made and official complaint.  Like most folks, in the past, I would have just let it go, that’s the police for you. But the links below,  show an increased belligerence in dealing with photographers and I have hundreds of other examples. They show that I might have been arrested in the attempt to shift blame. I might have been assaulted, my camera kit seized as ‘evidence’ with months of  arguement, to get it back.  So if this is the atmosphere, then I think we should all note these kind of matters and do something about it, until ‘they’ stop being so bloody awkward to us.  So there!!!

Police apologise to Bristol man arrested for taking photo – 19 August 2008

Police arrest man for photographing them – 19 August 2008

Man arrested and locked up for five hours after taking photo of police van ignoring ‘no entry’ sign – Daily Mail 19 August 2008

No snapping: Photographers get collars felt – The Register 23rd August 2008

The G20 Protests: Global Economic Meltdown – Video

http://current.com/items/90015124_the-g20-protests-global-economic-meltdown.htm

1 April 2009 – Financial Fools Day: As the 29 G20 leaders gathered in London, thousands came out on to the streets of the financial district to protest a wide range of issues from climate change to the failing capitalist system and tax payers bailout of the international banking system.

10,500 police were drafted in, at an estimated cost of £10 million, to police the protests and protect the banking institutions from what the police had deemd “the summer of rage”. The end product was two policers suspended, scores injured and hospitalised and one man dead after being attacked by an unidentified member of the TSG (Territorial Support Group) riot squad.

Please watch it!

Film By JasonNParkinson [NUJ & IFJ Freelance Investigative Video & Print Journalist]

&

Policing of the G20 Summit 2009 :: Metropolitan Police Authority Report

Operation Glencoe was the largest security operation mounted by the Metropolitan Police for many years and had to be planned in just a three month period ………

&

Court says police can be challenged on ‘stop and search’ powers : Guardian

NUJ pursue police over harassment – 29 April 2009
VIDEO: MP takes up case of trapped photographer

released video footage of a journalist detained within the police cordon at one of the G20 protests in London earlier this month.

Here at Nottinghamshire Indymedia Towers, we are also experimenting with Twitter. Again, most useful for RSS notifications.

User name:  nottsindymedia

txt to +447624801423  <FOLLOW nottsindymedia>  from other & international mobile phones.
To stop receiving texts, send <LEAVE nottsindymedia> or <OFF>  to stop all notifications.
OR
Send  <FOLLOW nottsindymedia>  to shortcode 86444  from Vodafone mobile phone.
OR
If you don’t have a suitable mobile, able to take advantage of these services, simply go to http://twitter.com where you can still follow events on the internet.

Well, none of us are putting 140 characters [like an sms] into twitter “what are you doing?” Well not yet, anyway. But it is an interesting method of doing urgent and breaking news I think.

So, well, I have for a while now, but on the whole, I use it to notify updates on

• this blog:  http://tashuk.wordpress.com
• YouTube:  http://uk.youtube.com/tashphoto
• Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/tash
• and another photo-blog, I have linked for uploads, direct from my Nokia E71 mobile phone.   This is Vox at: http://tashuk.vox.com

Using the RSS feeds from these site, Twitter will notify you about the latest entry on them.

So …. my Twitter username is:  tashuk

Although RSS feeds and feedreader can do this of course, Twitter is a little ‘richer’ in its application. Further,  if you are a Vodafone user in the UK, it will send an SMS alert to your mobile, if you want it.

txt to +447624801423  <FOLLOW tashuk>  from other & international mobile phones.
To stop receiving texts, send <LEAVE tashuk > or <OFF>  to stop all notifications.
OR
Send  <FOLLOW tashuk>  to shortcode 86444  from Vodafone mobile phone.
OR
If you don’t have a suitable mobile, able to take advantage of these services, simply go to http://twitter.com where you can still follow events on the internet.

Cool eh?

On Saturday 18th April, the ex-pat Zimbabwe Community from around the UK, came together to discuss the ‘Death of Democracy’

The gathering was in Nottingham at the Hyson Green Youth Centre, Terrance Street
NG7 6ER. [between ASDA and the Noel Street flats].

Zimbabwean ‘Death of Democracy’ Event

The NZCN (Nottingham Zimbabwe Community Network) organized and hosted the national Death of Democracy event in Nottingham. Most attendees dressed in black to remember and honour the hundreds of Zimbabweans who have been murdered during the MDC’s struggle for democracy. Delicious food and great music celebrated the lives of those who have been and continue to be committed to democracy. Guest speakers included MDC activists still working and striving towards a new, free and safe Zimbabwe, having lost friends and fellow activists to Robert Mugabe’s murderous militia through their political struggle.

In spite of the power sharing deal Mugabe’s hired thugs continue to terrorise and brutalise MDC members, supporters and innocent people, including young children, in a continuing attempt to defeat the MDC through a murderous campaign. MDC members and supporters still risk their lives in opposition to Mugabe’s dictatorship. SADC and the wider international community have come forth with a reprimand of political rhetoric but little action and continue to stand idly by as Mugabe’s illegal government maims, rapes, tortures and kills.

The Death of Democracy event is a reminder to the international community to not forget Zimbabwe, to not forget Zimbabweans who have suffered and to be forth coming with support and action for Zimbabweans who still struggle and suffer. Zimbabwe is not a safe country for people to be deported to and the NZCN and MDC in the UK continue to struggle for political asylum for Zimbabweans in the UK. The UK government is quick to express condemnation for Mugabe’s regime but equally quick to force deportations to a country it knows is highly dangerous. The MDC is determined to build a safe Zimbabwe for its citizens to return home to. The Death of Democracy event is an appeal to the UK government to not contribute to the growing number of dead Zimbabweans by forcing deportations, but to grant asylum and the right to work. Next year we do not want to commemorate the growing number of dead but to celebrate justice for Zimbabwean refugees ..  Angela

Speakers included:

Nicholas Shiri MC

Regis Manyana NZCN Chairman

H Masawi NZCN

e Sibanda Activist

Rachel Lupafya MDC

Godfrey Wenga Political Activist

T Samanyanga MDC

E Pfebve Parliamentary Candidate and Activist

Contacts:

Zimbabwe Association for information and asylum assistance

Zimbabwe Association Ltd

Development House

56-64 Leonard Street

London EC2A 4JX

020 7549 0355

zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk

http://www.zimbabweassociation.co.uk

Event Photos: ‘Death of Democracy’ Gathering

On the newswire: Nottingham
‘Noisy’ Demo: Rights for migrants and asylum seekers | Anglican
Church Council in Nottingham :: Caterpillar, Zimbabwe,& Gays | Protest
against Deportations to Northern Iraq (Kurdistan) | Nottingham
Police Station :: Forced Deportations Continue | Occupation
at Labour Party Offices for East Midlands | Anti-Deportation
Protest at Nottingham Magistrates Court | No
Borders Nottingham ‘National Day of Action on Asylum Rights’ | Nottingham
demo against deportations to Congo | Situation
in the Congo is worsening as deportations continue | No
Borders Nottingham ‘National Day of Action on Asylum Rights’ | Nottingham
Congolese Community demonstrated against continued deportations | Nottingham
Market Sq Demo against deportation flights to Congo | Zimbabwean
Asylum Rights Demo @ Speakers Corner, Nottingham

Links: No
Borders Nottingham | Nottingham
Zimbabwean Community Network | Zimbabwe
Civic Action Support Group | Association
of Zimbabwean Journalists in the UK (AZJ-UK) | Zimbabwe
Association Ltd

Audio: Zimbabwe – [Speeches and Interviews] – mp3 16M [64kbps]

Video: StraightTalkTV

Regime Violence Report: Operation Mavhoterapapi (how did you vote) – Post-election violence [pdf 5.2M]

“There’s only one motive for a police officer disguising his identity and that’s because he thinks he’s going to be doing something reprehensible.” – Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said his party was given a guarantee by senior officers after clashes with climate change protesters at Kingsnorth power station in Kent – where there were also complaints of police disguising their identity – that there would be no repeat of such tactics at the G20 protests.

IPCC chief slams tactics of G20 police at demo

This is bound to continue. The solution is in our hands. It is called FITwatching. So how do you FITwatch? I will list a few of my own ideas and hope that others will add ideas of their own. We need a plan and this seems like as good a way as any to thrash one out.

Preparing to FITwatch

It’s a good idea to work in pairs. Lets call it a Buddy system. That way you will have support if you run into trouble. You should attempt to keep in each others sight if there is any risk of interacting with the police. You will need a digital camera or cameraphone. It needn’t be expensive. I have seen plenty of suitable new equipment on sale for under £30. Ideally it should have a removable memory card. It should be capable of capturing video and sound. You should consider carrying a spare memory card and batteries. If you use a cameraphone it may be worth uploading some of the photos as you take them. This prevents them being taken from you should someone fancy attempting to pervert the course of justice! You should think about how you will preserve your evidence as if the police plan to behave reprehensibly this may include an attempt to destroy your evidence. Finally, test your equipment. Do a dry run. Make sure you understand how to change batteries, switch from pictures to video, upload and copy photos etc. It is not a good idea to be in the middle of a confrontation wishing you had read the instructions!
It’s worth taking a note book with you along with 2 working pens. Use it to make a note of times, locations, events, identities, witnesses, contact details ect. Make sure that watches, internal camera clocks, are set to the correct time and make a note of when you do this in your notebook before you set off.

What to watch out for.

First of all you are looking for police who cannot easily be identified. This process should start as the police arrive. If you photograph who arrives with who this will aid identification later by the Press/IPCC, should it be necessary. These ‘group’ shots can be taken from 20 metres, or more, from the group. You should attempt to get a couple of ‘face’ shots on any individual police who do not display identification. It might be worth asking politely who they are. One of you could do this whilst your buddy discreetly films the question and answer.
If there is trouble then you should aim to capture video. It’s a good idea to keep the camera running and pointing at the police. If enough cameras are running any misbehaviour will be caught. You don’t need to be, and ideally you should not be, in the front line. Ideally try and find a vantage point and film from there. Always keep in sight of your Buddy.

What to do after the event.

As soon as possible after the event copy your memory card and put the copy somewhere safe. You could mail it to someone you trust. You could email it to yourself. It may be worth setting up a webmail account for this purpose. Ideally email a copy to Fitwatch:  defycops@yahoo.co.uk
Have a look at their website  http://www.fitwatch.blogspot.com
Include a note telling them what they are looking at and include times, locations and any other details you feel may help. You will find your written notes useful when doing this. It’s a good idea to get advice before putting pictures/video into the public domain. You could post any questions on indymedia if you can’t find the answer elsewhere. Bear in mind that Fitwatch are an autonomous group of unpaid volunteers who are insanely busy. Do not trouble them with questions that could be answered elsewhere.

I have a feeling that if we all do this we will experience a rapid improvement in police behaviour. After all, no one wants a criminal record!

FITwatcher http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/427894.html

FITWatch  http://www.fitwatch.blogspot.com

also, please check out:

Police surveillance: ‘They’re focusing on the press more than the protesters’ – Guardian 6 March 2009

Under surveillance: police target environmental protesters and journalists – Guardian 6 March 2009

Deterrent effect of police surveillance – Guardian 10 March 2009

Demonstrating respect for rights, A human rights approach to policing protest 1
[Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights]

Demonstrating respect for rights, A human rights approach to policing protest 2
[Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights]

Human Rights Joint Committee – Seventh Report
Demonstrating respect for rights? A human rights approach to policing protest

Main points from JCHR report on Policing and Protest – Indymedia 25 March 2009

In light of the G20 event Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has invited Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O’Connor, to conduct a review of related public order policing tactics. Sir Paul said: “G20 was a complex policing operation managing the movement and protection of many heads of state across the capital while balancing the right to lawful protest and maintaining public order for many thousands of people. “It is also the case that a number of complaints have been raised in relation to the tactic of containment and as to whether this achieves that balance. I want to be reassured that the use of this tactic remains appropriate and proportionate. “Separately, I have already expressed my concern that the video footage of some police actions are clearly disturbing and should be thoroughly investigated. As well as the post-event investigation into those responsible for violence and disorder, I have also ensured that footage in police possession is reviewed to identify any other matters of individual police conduct that may warrant investigation. “One matter that I also want to make clear is that uniformed police officers should be identifiable at all times by their shoulder identification numbers. The public has a right to be able to identify any uniformed officer whilst performing their duty. We must ensure this is always the case.”

Metropolitan Police Service – Press Release

114 activists were arrested in a 2am police raid on a community centre and school on Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, early on Easter Monday, 13th April 2009.

It is believed that a demonstration was planned at the E.On powerstation at Ratcliffe-on-Soar as a spokesperson for the company claimed that it was the “planned target of an organised protest”. The Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal-fired power station is the 3rd largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK and has been previously targeted by activists. Similar to past police actions, some of the homes of those arrested have been raided while they were held in custody. It has been confirmed that 6 homes have been raided in Nottingham, including the Sumac Centre, and personal paperwork and computers have been seized. Activists are now being released on bail, to appear in court between the 14th – 21st July, with a variety of conditions. More raids are expected.

The initial action was at a school / community centre in Sneinton Dale, and eastern suburb of Nottingham. After all present were arrested and dragged in chains to many and various police stations, the police mounted a long and protracted search of the building, where the meeting had been held. Nothing was happening on the street for ages, much to the medias discontent. Thus, they started to interview each other, and passing locals, just to add a bit of colour, of course. At about midday, there was a flurry of activity, with the arrival of more police vans, and scientific support / scenes of crime and assorted mystery vehicles. Taken together, this amounted to a really significant police presence. you can only image what sort of evidence, and of what, they expected to find. Wardens patrolled the street to reassure the community of course.

Access was really hard, to see anything occuring of interest. However, getting away from the front of the building were all others were filming from, managed to find a friendly local who offered me the use of their garden for an overview. Thanks muchly! Police didn’t like it of course, and sent a man away to find a sheet of sommat, to hide behind.

The address of some of those held in custody, were then to be searched under warrant. While chasing about, I knew of 6 locations in Nottingham, and probably many others around the country. I was asked and invited to be at the Sumac Centre, ahead of the expected arrival of the police teams.

After visiting other locations, at about 6pm, three van loads of police dressed in full fatigues and large boots, arrived at the gates of the Sumac. The warrant was for particular room upstairs at the centre. The majority of the squad remained on the street. Police could clearly see, that this photographer found the imagery quite oppressive, and the inspector ordered all his troops, back into the vans. Was asked to look into the searches upstairs, to discover there was much interest in the persons paperwork, [including much study of that well known anarchist and subversive free sheet, SchNews]. They stayed for about 30 minutes, leaving with an assortment of papers, and a computer.

After some were released, folks headed back to the Sumac centre, to recuperate, and be fed and watered. A debrief. Crash spaces arranged and a deal of sympathy. On leaving, I found 2 police serials continued to cruise the area. I followed about for a bit [wondering what they’re up to]. One then parked outside a housing co-op, and stayed about a bit, generally being menacing. This was one of the location of the previous house searches. They then paid particular interest at the continued comings and going from the Sumac Centre. I guess they’re not finished yet.

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2009/04/427471.html

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2009/04/427496.html

Mass Arrest of 114 Climate Activists in Raid [Indymedia Feature]

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/427421.html

Paul Lewis on the evidence concerning the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 summit protest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/audio/2009/apr/08/g20-tomlinson

Ian Tomlinson, the man who died at last week’s G20 protests in London, was attacked from behind and thrown to the ground by a baton-wielding police officer in riot gear, dramatic footage obtained by the ­Guardian shows.

Moments after the assault on Tomlinson was captured on video, he suffered a heart attack and died.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HECMVdl-9SQ&feature=channel_page]

A phalanx of officers, some with dogs and some in riot gear, are close behind him and try to urge him forward.

A Metropolitan police officer appears to strike him with a baton, hitting him from behind on his upper thigh.

Moments later, the same policeman rushes forward and, using both hands, pushes Tomlinson in the back and sends him flying to the ground, where he ­remonstrates with police who stand back, leaving bystanders to help him to his feet.

The man who shot the footage, a fund manager from New York who was in ­London on business, said he had attended the protests out of curiosity. He said: “The primary reason for me coming forward is that it was clear the family were not ­getting any answers.”

The witness accounts contradict the official version of events given by police.

In an official statement on the night of Tomlinson’s death, the Metropolitan police made no reference to any contact with officers and described attempts by police medics and an ambulance crew to save his life after he collapsed efforts which they said were marred by protesters throwing missiles as first aid was administered.

Other witnesses have come forward, contradicting this police account of missiles being thrown as well.

Full Guardian account of the story at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/07/ian-tomlinson-g20-death-video

Some of Sky News coverage:

http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/G20_Protests

*****

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)  to independently investigate the case of Ian Tomlinson

http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/pr080409_iantomlinsoninvestigation.htm

No new revelations for regular schnews readers as we look at the latest campaign for civil liberties

It shows how bad things have got for freedom in this country if we’re pinning any hopes on the moderate left. They’re finally waking up to the wholesale destruction of civil liberties by the Zanu-Labour juggernaut. Freedom is suddenly back on the agenda, despite it being on SchNEWS’s for the last fourteen years.

This week saw the publication of the Constitution Committee of the House of Lords report ‘Surveillance: Citizens and the State’. The report noted that surveillance had become “an inescapable part of life in the UK,” and called it “one of the most significant changes in the life of the nation since the end of the Second World War”. The report goes on to document the massive extension of databases such as: ContactPoint – records on every child born in England and Wales. (SchNEWS 452); The computerization of NHS records (SchNEWS 481); ID Cards (SchNEWS 24, 454, 466, 580); RFID (SchNEWS 415, 616) etc, etc. – enough to make you wonder how many of their Lordships are loyal SchNEWS readers.

Even SchNEWS’ local MP David Lepper has hopped on the bandwagon after a police Forward Intelligence Team installed themselves opposite the Cowley Club during the Earth First! Winter Moot last weekend, taking photos of everyone entering and leaving. In a broadside attack the local rag the Argus lambasted their actions as “ham-fisted scare tactics”.

Girding their loins for the fight is the Convention for Modern Liberty – an odd coalition spanning Liberty and Amnesty International to the Countryside Alliance (wonder if our fox-hunting friends will be campaigning for the repeal of the Criminal Justice Act?). They’re hosting meetings across the country on 28th February – with a massive backslapping fiesta in London for yer Tony Benns, Shami Chakrabartis and Yasmin Alibhai Browns. But as ever the question remains – liberty for who? The devil is as ever in the details. Henry Porter, Guardian columnist and convention co-director says for example “no one is questioning the need for the state”. But the protest movements that bear the brunt of new repressive legislation: the climate camps, the animal liberationists, No Borders activists, the anti-militarist movement etc are in fact largely anti-state. The group most heavily affected – the muslim youth radicalised by the West’s assault on the Arab world have no say in the British state whatsoever.

And it’s these movements that are continually targeted. There were ‘revelations’ in last weeks Mail on Sunday of a new police unit (the Confidential Intelligence Unit) to tackle ‘domestic extremism’. This won’t come as any surprise to anyone involved in ‘domestic extremism’ (once known as ‘protest’).

The job advert for the head of the CIU that served as the Mail’s source for the story said the post involved the management of “the covert intelligence function for domestic extremism”. The fact that the CIU post is advertised by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) a private company free from scrutiny is incidental. But Special Branch have openly admitted to a long history of infiltration of the union movement, the anti-apartheid campaigns and more recently the anti-roads and animal rights movements.

The trouble with liberal outrage is that it’s so predictable. It’s OK to defend the free speech and movement of people who represent no threat to the status quo. If anyone’s in a position to effect actual radical change however then it’s OK for the gloves to come off. Will the Convention for Modern Liberty or the House of Lords be troubling themselves with the vicious sentences handed down to animal rights activists? Or will they be too busy cosying up to their fox-hunting pals?

The recent seizure of an Indymedia Server (SchNEWS 663) and the subsequent arrest of the system administrator says more about the state of liberty than any convention. On Monday Kent Police arrested a man in Sheffield under the Serious Crime Act 2007 in relation to the recent Indymedia server seizure. His home was searched and computers despite having neither technical, administrative nor editorial access to the Indymedia UK website. All he did was host its server. Kent police claim that they are after the IP address (despite knowing Indymedia do not log IP addresses) of the poster of two anonymous comments to a report about a recent animal liberation court case, which included personal details of the Judge.

Meanwhile some are fighting back – One F.I.T watcher (see SchNEWS 639) has just been convicted by magistrates of obstructing police for getting in the way of cameras last June. This judgement runs completely contrary to an earlier judicial review saying police had no power to remove obstructions to their view. However during the trial police were forced to admit that they take photos for databases and cross reference photos of different political views, of course this has been known for years but it’s good to have it from the horse’s mouth.

Our movements are under attack. It’s useful to have allies but ultimately…they have their agendas and we have ours…

SchNews http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news666.htm