May Day and the "Pigs"

[Barry the Sprout]

Ok, long story coming up, so don't read it if you don't want to. This is all about my day yesterday, on that most fateful day of the year for anti-capitalists of all shapes and sizes - Mayday.

It started badly, for me at least. I had a hangover from Donut's birthday party and I had to be at Clerkenwell Green at 10.30am to get interviewed by BBC News, which eventually never happened anyway. Crossed wires at the No Sweat office therefore got me out of bed quite a long time before I needed to be, or wanted to be in the circumstances. But thats not my real beef with the day, as you can probably guess from the thread title - its just setting the scene.

A couple of guys from No Sweat and myself went down to Lockheed Martin's head office on High Holborn at 1pm as there was a small protest going on there against the Arms trade. We got there to find about 300-400 people there protesting and about the same amount of policemen (I kid you not). The police couldn't make their minds up what to do with us. First we were forced off of the pavement onto the road, while simultaneously the police on the other side of us attempted to force us off the road and onto the pavements. Communication not apparently their strongpoint.

They then decided the best way to deal with us, bearing in mind we were being oh-so provocative by just standing there chatting at this point, was to surround us and not let anyone leave. After surrounding us they waited. No one allowed to leave or enter - this carried on until around 3.30pm. After this they decided to impose section 12 of the Public Order Act on us, which states they can impose a route on an unplanned march. I should point out that it was them who decided that we were an unplanned march in the first place - its their prerogative. So they marched us to Trafalgar Square, still no one allowed to enter or leave. The police at the front made sure we didn't go too fast and the police at the back made sure we didn't go too slow. I was at the back, police right behind me, and whenever they saw the slightest gap they roughly shoved us into it. We were packed in so tightly that when the frequent and inexplicable pauses in the "march" happened we were unable to sit down - there was only enough room to stand jammed like sardines together.

By the time we got to Trafalgar Square it was about 4.30pm. The police then proceeded to prevent us actually getting into the square. Apparently they were trying to find room for us... I could see the square from where we were kept standing (still surrounded and unable to sit) and it was all but deserted, the rest of the demonstrations having finished hours ago. When I questioned a policeman about this he said that now section 14 of the Public Order Act had been imposed on us. So now they had decided that we weren't a march after all, but were instead a stationary demonstration - therefore they could "disperse" us at their discretion. Dispersal in this case obviously being best achieved by not allowing anyone to leave.

And was all this necessary? Not a single policeman I asked could justify why we were being imprisoned in this manner. The demonstration at no point turned violent, however the police did on several occasions. Kicking protestors and then bragging about how many times "left wing c***s" like us had made official complaints and how little anyone cared about it.

So really, my point is to all the people out there who think the police were just "doing their job". Is their job to stop me going in and out of a demonstration? Is their job to make sure a demonstration doesn't stay in one place for too long? Is their job to do all this with a level of belligerence about the whole thing that shocked even me? Just pose this question - what would you do if the police kept you cooped up and standing, pushing and shoving you and calling out insults while laughing to each other? Would you just stand their and take it? These people did, and they're the norm for anti-capitalist protestors. Name me one other section of society that wouldn't have gone ballistic. And we're the violent troublemakers the police have to battle every year? No wonder they're called pigs so often.

[Spelca]

Eeeeek. That's exactly why I try to avoid demonstrations. Not because I'm afraid of the demonstrants, but because I'm afraid of the policemen... Though I did go to the Anti-war protest, but I made sure there were lots of old people and families around me... Sounds strange, but I felt safer that way. [img]tongue.gif[/img] People always say they (the police) will leave you alone if you don't do anything wrong, but from my experience that's not true. And I have seen some cases where the violence in demonstrations broke out because of the police pushing them together, like it happened to you... I'm sorry you had to go through that...

[ 05-02-2003, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: Spelca ]

[Donut]

Sorry you had a bad day BtS!

I had a birthday party? Was I there? Did I enjoy myself? And were you present for the rendition of "American Pie" was being belted out?

[Charlie]

Old Bill do like to ride roughshod over people no doubt sometimes. I've been illegally assaulted by them more than once, proper fights I'm talking about but no one ever got nicked for it.

That said. I thought Mayday was a day for celebration not for rallies and protests and incidents, it just ruins things for those going about their daily business imho. Incidentally, over the years Mayday celebrations have been ruined/marred by both the protesters and the police.

Why not do them on a Sunday afternoon instead of on a public holiday?

[wellard]

What the hell has happened to May Day! A great celebration for the working class as been allowed to fade away over the years. Even the labor *labour* governments down here have washed the hands on the whole subject.

Barry I am with you in spirit mate! I remember one march in Britain when about 17 years ago. It was an anti clause.... pro gay rights march through the streets of Manchester. Protesting against a Thatcher bill banning the use of government money and help to any gay cause. There was a cast of thousands marching and behind a roped of area outside a pub was a group of skinheads, drunk, lashing out at those who passed by and throwing cans and such at the marchers. All this happened while 3 coppers stood alongside and took no action. I wonder who they would have arrested if they had been any altercations.

[ 05-02-2003, 08:47 AM: Message edited by: wellard ]

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Barry the Sprout: So really, my point is to all the people out there who think the police were just "doing their job". Is their job to stop me going in and out of a demonstration? Is their job to make sure a demonstration doesn't stay in one place for too long? Is their job to do all this with a level of belligerence about the whole thing that shocked even me? Just pose this question - what would you do if the police kept you cooped up and standing, pushing and shoving you and calling out insults while laughing to each other? Would you just stand their and take it? These people did, and they're the norm for anti-capitalist protestors. Name me one other section of society that wouldn't have gone ballistic. And we're the violent troublemakers the police have to battle every year? No wonder they're called pigs so often.

On an official level, certainly not. Their job is 'to serve and to protect' as it were. 'Keep the peace' and all that.
But on a real, practical level, then definately yes. Their job is to protect the interests of government (and government's allies). Disperse, demoralize and detain any groups whose administrative, political and ideological beliefs do not coincide with government policy, and on the whole just make sure the bureaucratic system keeps humming along. The police are a great ally if you choose to fall into line with status quo thinking, and a real pain in the ass if you don't. But hey, if I was a member of a ruling group I'd like to have a group of uniformed head-bashers on my payroll as well. You can't blame a government-employed hood for enjoying their job. Civilization depends on the rule of law being upheld, whoever it is that happens to write it.

Now don't get me wrong here Barry. Some police officers are wonderful gentlemen and gentleladies, genuinely concerned with helping the public at large. But this protest seems to be a case of mob mentality within the police force. The officers you speak of seem to be in the mindset of 'Watch your mates beat on a minority who doesn't dare beat back, then have a go yourself'. Be a big man in front of your work buddies, that sort of thing. Common animal behaviour. Unjust, but understandable.

Funny thing is, most officers within the regular constabulary are the exact same working class that your socialist groups hope to represent. Funny how ignorance works to undermine the simple-minded.

Anyways. Keep the faith brother. Maybe someday people will get along in non-exploitative harmony eh? Then again, maybe not. But if you just make sure you never give up on what you believe in, your life will be as great a success story as that of any arch-capitalist [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Barry the Sprout: They then decided the best way to deal with us, bearing in mind we were being oh-so provocative by just standing there chatting at this point, was to surround us and not let anyone leave. After surrounding us they waited. No one allowed to leave or enter - this carried on until around 3.30pm. After this they decided to impose section 12 of the Public Order Act on us, which states they can impose a route on an unplanned march. I should point out that it was them who decided that we were an unplanned march in the first place - its their prerogative. So they marched us to Trafalgar Square, still no one allowed to enter or leave. The police at the front made sure we didn't go too fast and the police at the back made sure we didn't go too slow. I was at the back, police right behind me, and whenever they saw the slightest gap they roughly shoved us into it. We were packed in so tightly that when the frequent and inexplicable pauses in the "march" happened we were unable to sit down - there was only enough room to stand jammed like sardines together.

This is par for the course. I remember when I was in London some of the college kids at the SOAS dorm I was staying at went to a protest and came back bitching. One guy put it very well, stating that they pack you in and keep making the space smaller, while not letting anyone out, and like a pressure cooker something has to give. In short, they create the very problem that causes them to call out the full plate armor guys with plastic shields and batons.

I do feel that the protesting ilk, and I apologize that I must say this knowing you are a memeber of the group, is to blame in part. (1) Pick your time, place, and manner better. I don't know what MayDay is all about (sorry ), but I do know I saw footage of protests over at least 3 or 4 different policy issues on the BBC - and no one holiday can encompass all that. (2) In an urban area like London, the government's reasonable request that you plan your protest or march ahead of time (especially if its large at all) helps everyone's safety - and is it too much to ask such high-minded "think before you act" folk to follow their own creed? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] Or, do you want to cause a little mayhem? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] I hope that's not the case. And, if it's not, proper planning a parade/protest permits (if they exist) will help out everyone, the protestors included. It will keep the "message" from getting lost in the chaos. [img]graemlins/chaos.gif[/img]

Just to be fair, here's what I posted at the Circular Discussions forum:

TL's Mayday thread: Well, from the BBC footage I saw of riot police in London and protestors SETTING CARS ON FIRE AND TURNING THEM OVER in Berlin, I gotta hand to you folks across the pond - you know how to have a right fine riot/protest. Makes the stuff in Chicago I was complaining about look like a tea and crumpets party. And, the police response was, as always, overwhelming.

[Chewbacca]

Wow, the title of this thread inspired me to think of a Neil from the "Young Ones" flashback. "Open up, it's the pigs... "

I too have witnessed police go over the top during protests.

Some of my officer friends tell me its a fine line. If they don't have a visible presence at protests, then people may think they can get away with what ever they want. If they have too big a presence it can actually escalate an already passionate situation. Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

From my expirience, your group was wise not to provoke the police...Getting tear gassed and billy clubbed sucks!!!!

[ 05-02-2003, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

[john]

Remember Kent State!!

[Lanesra]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: Wow, the title of this thread inspired me to think of a Neil from the "Young Ones" flashback. "Open up, it's the pigs... " I too have witnessed police go over the top during protests. Some of my officer friends tell me its a fine line. If they don't have a visible presence at protests, then people may think they can get away with what ever they want. If they have too big a presence it can actually escalate an already passionate situation. Damned if they do and damned if they don't. From my expirience, your group was wise not to provoke the police...Getting tear gassed and billy clubbed sucks!!!!

We don't do teargas. [img]smile.gif[/img]