Strathclyde police continue to attack democratic rights with impunity in Glasgow. At a static demonstration in George Square today officers imposed a ban on chanting and told the organizers that the demonstration would be cut short with no reason given.
The peaceful protest had been called by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement Scotland and was supported by a range of Irish solidarity groups and members of the public concerned with the ongoing physical and mental abuse of republican prisoners in particularly Maghaberry gaol in County Antrim, North Ireland.
A supporter of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! was present and without warning was manhandled away from the protest, accused of being a 'serial protestor' and threatened with arrest for 'breach of the peace'. The offending officer (badge number A 574) was clearly acting under orders to target the comrade who is already facing two stitched up charges of police assault from previous demonstrations against the cuts.
The GDC is committed to fighting for the democratic rights of all progressive groups and reaffirm that the best form of defence against political policing is to actively publicize and organize against it.
We will not be intimidated!
Police hands off protest!
The Glasgow Defence Campaign has been established to oppose political policing and defend democratic rights in the struggle against the cuts in Glasgow. If you face any form of police harassment or violence, please log as many details as you can and send to glasgowdefence@yahoo.co.uk.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
Democracy goes for a wander in Glasgow...
The sham of what passes for ‘politics’ and ‘democracy’ in Glasgow was once again exposed as the Labour party and Strathclyde police demonstrated their complete contempt for the people of this city. Supporters of the Glasgow Defence Campaign, Black Triangle disability rights group and the Save the Accord campaign, in trying to acquire some basic answers for the actions of their elected representatives were met with the kind of dirty tricks, thuggery and politicking in which the authorities in
On the morning of Thursday 23 June, supporters of the GDC and the Black Triangle attended a full meeting of the Strathclyde Police Authority. The role of a full meeting of the SPA is ‘to approve the Authority’s governance framework and administration of its finances; makes key strategic and major policy decisions; approve annual plans and monitor performance.’ Its current convenor is Labour party councillor Stephen Curran. As was anticipated, Strathclyde police and its political paymasters made every effort to ensure that even the most basic procedures of accountability were by-passed in order to avoid a challenge to their continued attacks on activists and communities in Glasgow
The location of the meeting was secretly changed on 16 June from the City Chambers, where all full Authority meetings in Glasgow have been held for the past two years, to George Street Parish Church, in a clear attempt to avoid the GDC’s calls for a protest and to prevent any unwanted members of the public actually attending the public meeting. On entering, GDC and Black Triangle supporters were met by two uniformed police officers and the building’s Duty Manager, Gerry Macsorley, who radioed into other officers that people had arrived. Two activists were allowed to enter the meeting but were told that the agenda of the meeting had already been set, that there would be no opportunity to ask questions and were subsequently left to sit in silence as the minutes of the last SPA meeting (copies not provided) were discussed. Meanwhile, Inspector Jim Gillan, officers A112 and A503 along with Gerry Macsorley prevented two other GDC supporters from entering.
One of those present, Joey Simons, told the GDC: ‘Two cops, a police inspector and a security guard were drafted in to aggressively block our access to what is a public meeting of elected officials. The room was supposedly full with just five members of the public present. Democracy and accountability is a sham where Strathclyde police and the City Council are concerned. They are clearly uncomfortable at our continued scrutiny of their actions. As long as the police continue to attack our people, they should expect to feel a lot more uncomfortable in the future.’
Later that day, carers from the Save the Accord centre in Dalmarnock, who have been fighting a battle with the city council over the demolition of a day care centre for people with disabilities for a Commonwealth Games bus park, witnessed first hand the disgusting arrogance of the Labour party’s suited thugs and their contempt for basic democracy and decency. Carers attended a meeting of Glasgow City Council in an attempt to raise their serious concerns for the health of their loved ones. Instead, the Labour councillors shut down the debate. As an Accord Centre carer commented: ‘They overtalked, ignored the issue and refused extra time to discuss the last motion regarding the Accord Centre! Carers shouted from the Public Gallery to them all and made them all aware we will not be ignored for much longer.. WE WILL NOT GO AWAY.. WE WILL NOT STOP FIGHTING FOR OUR LOVED ONES!’
The SNP’s David MacDonald stated: ‘Labour today showed a callous disregard for democracy by denying the Council an opportunity to debate an issue of great importance to those affected…This was a Labour abuse of power…’
The GDC is clear that the fact the powers that be are forced to resort to such dirty tricks to avoid the most basic accountability represents a vindication of the continuing campaigns against both the police and Labour council, who are now running scared. While those who dare to challenge them are treated like criminals, we are confident in the knowledge that it is the police and council who represent the biggest threats to law and order in Glasgow
Glasgow Defence Campaign
Glasgow Defence Campaign
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
GDC protests this week! Stand together against political policing!
The Glasgow Defence Campaign is calling on all its supporters and progressive forces in GDC supporters, members of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! and student activists are all facing criminal convictions in Glasgow
Picket the Strathclyde Police Authority!
Join supporters of the GDC, FRFI, Black Triangle and others in a protest outside the Strathclyde Police Authority, the strategic meeting of Chief Constables and Councillors on policing in Glasgow
Thursday 23 June, from 10am @
Speak out against the cuts! No to political policing!
Join anti-cuts activists targeted by police in Glasgow , Edinburgh and Dundee in an open-megaphone street rally to voice your anger against the cuts. Stand together in the streets – an injury to one, is an injury to all!
Saturday 25 June, 1-3pm @
Donald Dewar statue, top of Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Monday, 13 June 2011
Police turn up at Glasgow anti-cuts meeting
On Thursday 9 June PC A644 and PC A989 were sent from Partick police station to the launch meeting of the Coalition of Resistance (COR) in Glasgow. The officers approached people leafleting outside the STUC building asking whether a demonstration would take place, what the meeting was about, how many people were expected to attend and how long it would last.
To their credit a small group of people immediately challenged the officers by questioning their reason for being there forcing them to leave the area. A supporter of the Glasgow Defence Campaign caught footage of the incident. The GDC asks that people treat all police interference with political protests and meetings (no matter how small) with the upmost seriousness and record the badge numbers, names (if possible), police station and footage of the officers involved. Not to do so would be to give Strathclyde police the green light to continue their campaign of harassment, arrest and intimidation against people interested and involved in progressive politics.
Fight The Cuts!
Oppose Political Policing!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Strathclyde police step up repression and target anti-rape event organisers
The Glasgow Defence Campaign has received the following report from a Scottish Socialist Youth supporter.
Police evidence gathering team in George Sq on Saturday
Organisers of an anti sexual violence demonstration in Glasgow
Ahead of the demonstration, the organisers had sought co-operation from both Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police, even going as far as shortening and altering the route of the march, and changing its end location. Despite this, two organisers have now been reported to the PF.
The huge police operation mounted on the day of the march saw several police vehicles, up to six mounted officers, CCTV vans, an evidence gathering team with a handheld camera, a helicopter and a number of plain-clothes officers in attendance. This was a huge overreaction to a demo that had never been billed as anything other than a peaceful march, which consisted mostly of young women on their first demonstration.
However, the police clearly saw it as an excuse for an exercise in intimidation and intelligence gathering. A large police presence remained in Glasgow Green well after the rally had finished, with plain-clothes officers visibly scrutinising the attendance at the demonstration, attempting to pick out known activists within the crowd. It is understood that officers inside police vehicles had 'spotter cards', containing photographs of such activists. As people began to drift away, a young student activist was accosted by two plain-clothes officers as he visited a newsagent, and his details were demanded under Section 13 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland
Similar tactics were used to gain the details of an individual at the picket of Stewart Street Strathclyde University
In charge of police operations at both Saturday and Thursday's demonstrations was Superintendent Nelson Telfer. Following Thursday's demo, he appeared in media coverage claiming that the protest was "hijacked", and promising further arrests. As the past few months have shown, when it comes to arrests and subsequent bail conditions, the police are picking their targets first and then later coming up with whatever charges they can fit. Officers made it clear in April, whilst making a round of arrests over student demos in December, that they had a 'list' of targets for arrest.
Their aim of derailing and intimidating the emerging anti-cuts movement in the city, by targeting prominent activists in whatever way they can, could not be clearer. Even where good relations have been sought - such as in the organising of the Slutwalk on Saturday - the police have responded by looking to press charges against individuals involved, and in an obvious bid to set an example to organisers of other demonstrations. Everyone involved with the anti-cuts movement in Glasgow
Thursday, 2 June 2011
GDC statement on arrests of students at Strathclyde University protest
The Glasgow Defence Campaign condemns the police aggression and arrests of two people at a demonstration at Strathclyde University Glasgow
During the demonstration, police moved to arrest a student ISG activist for the apparent crime of speaking on a megaphone on the steps of the McCance building. Another student was assaulted by officers, thrown to the ground and subsequently arrested. A young woman was punched in the face as she moved to help her partner. The GDC welcomes the initiative shown by protesters, who moved to defend those attacked and arrested, blocking the police vans from moving for over two hours, filming and photographing the actions of the police. Around 25 police and a helicopter were eventually deployed.
Over 50 people then held a militant, spontaneous march from the campus to Stewart Street police station. A GDC supporter present reported that chants of ‘Strathclyde police – hands off protest!’ and ‘Defend, defend, defend the right to protest!’ rang out across the busy traffic and protesters defied police attempts to force them off the roads. A protest was held outside the station as people demanded the release of the two students in detention. They were due to be released at 6.30pm, although we have yet to confirm this or the charges brought.
It is vital that Strathclyde police, individually and collectively, be held publicly responsible for their behaviour. The GDC believes it has identified Superintendent Nelson Telfer and PC Prentice as the two police responsible for directing the aggression against students at the campus. The former appeared on Scottish television to public defend the widely condemned eviction of the Hetherington occupation; the latter involved in securing the wrongful conviction of an FRFI activist on 10 April. We have also identified PC David Markey (A413), the officer in black helping to forcefully restrain a student on the ground (see video 1.15). This officer was involved in the police harassment of a GDC supporter witnessed here.
Check the GDC's police harassment log to reference the numbers of any Stewart Street officers previously involved in political policing. Police officers from Stewart Street can be identified here. We urge people to follow up with civil actions and complaints, and to record any injuries sustained with a doctor as soon as possible.
There is a movement growing across the country against police attacks on democratic rights, as increasing numbers are brought face to face with the reality of the British justice system: that the interests and property of the banks and the multinationals will be defended from effective opposition at all costs. The police will continue to act with violence and impunity against protest unless we can effectively organise to defend ourselves and others. The GDC has led the way in campaigning against political policing in Glasgow
In response to the latest arrests in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the GDC is calling on people to turn Monday’s planned picket of Glasgow District Court at the trial of an anti-cuts activist into a mass show of solidarity with all those criminalised for peaceful protest. An injury to one is an injury to all! End the arrests – drop the charges!
All out for Glasgow
Monday 6 June, from 10am onwards
21
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Arrests of anti-cuts activists in Edinburgh
The Glasgow Defence Campaign sends its solidarity to those activists arrested for their actions against the multinational tax-dodgers in Edinburgh on Saturday 30 June. The statement from Bright Green Scotland details the actions of the cops. Strathclyde police carried out similar actions against activists involved in peaceful direct action against Vodafone last year, arresting and charging people with breach of the peace four months after the alleged incident. The GDC, alongside the Free Hetherington occupation and others, was instrumental in openly publicising, condemning and organising protests against these blatant political arrests. In the end, the charges against five young people were dropped.
Based on concrete experience gained over the past year, we have learned that attack is the best form of defence. We hope all progressive forces in Edinburgh and beyond unite in condemnation of Lothian and Borders police and organise in support of those arrested. Breach of the peace charges, house arrests and politicised bail conditions...clearly a pattern is emerging. The response everywhere must be the same: we will not be intimidated! No business as usual for the banks!
Indymedia report of Edinburgh Uncut action here.
GDC calls for major protests outside District Court on Monday!
Hundreds of young people took over the streets of Glasgow city centre on 9 December, inspired by the mass student demonstrations which shook London
The first entry on the Glasgow Defence Campaign’s log of police harassment dates from almost exactly one year ago. Since then, the fight against the cuts has continued to escalate and so too the fight to defend democratic rights as Strathclyde police proved its determination to disrupt and destroy any emerging movement. There has been attempts to ban the newspaper Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, arrests and frame-ups of activists on peaceful protests, police violence on demonstrations, house raids and frequent house visits, the arrests and illegal questioning of minors, the massive operation to evict the Free Hetherington occupation and Margaret Jaconelli, the issuing of draconian and politicised bail conditions, strip searches and much else.
All this represents a massive defeat for the authorities in Glasgow Barcelona
Throughout the last 12 months the GDC has consistently campaigned on the streets to expose and defeat the political harassment conducted by the courts and the cops. We have named and shamed the police officers involved and will continue to do so. From John Pilger and Tommy McKearney to Len McCluskey and the STUC, support is growing. Important successes have been won and unity built in solidarity with all those criminalised for their activity against the cuts.
Stand together on the streets - stand together in the courts! Join the protest! We will not be intimidated!
Stand together on the streets - stand together in the courts! Join the protest! We will not be intimidated!
Monday 6 June, from 10am
Glasgow District Court,
21 St. Andews Street (off Saltmarket)
GDC PRO
Thursday 2 June 00:00
A public warning to Strathclyde police
The Glasgow Defence Campaign would like to place on public record once again our opposition to Strathclyde Police’s campaign of harassment and intimidation against our supporters. As we report today on our harassment log, on 24 May, Strathclyde Police Inspector Mike King attended the home of Dominic O’Hara in relation to the civil action the Glasgow Defence Campaign are pursuing against his officers.
The GDC is calling upon Strathclyde Police to desist with immediate effect this practice of door stepping which is intended to intimidate. We believe it to be another tool of harassment intended to disrupt private and family life and the lives of our neighbours. If the police are seriously wishing to engage with our supporters then they can contact us via letter or through our legal representatives.
Speaking today for the Glasgow Defence Campaign, Miriam Kelly, stated, ‘We are simply refusing to tolerate this ongoing harassment quietly. We have nothing to say to Inspector Mike King, or any of his officers, all of our supporters are now operating under instruction not to engage with the police in any way. This means that communications will not take place without a solicitor present. This has become necessary given the record of Strathclyde Police of falsifying evidence and committing perjury in order to secure convictions against our supporters.’
A report of last Tuesday’s incident has been lodged with our legal advisors.
Monday, 23 May 2011
Friday, 20 May 2011
More messages of solidarity to the campaign
Tommy McKearney, former Republican hunger-striker, now organiser for the Independent Workers Union of Ireland and leading socialist journalist, has sent the following message of solidarity to the Glasgow Defence Campaign:
There is nothing new about political policing in any part of the UK. As part of the machinery of state, British police forces usually believe that they are entitled to do whatever they feel is necessary to protect their employer. We are so used to this type of policing in Ireland that we almost take it for granted yet it is a huge mistake to concede any ground on this issue. Allowing police decide what is politically acceptable is quite simply toleration for a police state.
Every effort must be made, therefore, to prevent the Strathclyde police getting away with political harassment of activists and we must all offer our wholehearted support to the Glasgow Defence Campaign. - Tommy McKearney
The Manchester branch of the Revolutionary Communist Group and supporters of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! also sent the following message of solidarity:
Manchester branch of the RCG condems the police harrassment and open political attack on our comrades and other anti-cuts activists in Glasgow. This direct political attack by the police on anti-cuts activists in Glasgow follows on from the police arrest of 145 UK Uncuts activists in London on 26 March and the arrest of FRFI anti-cuts activists in Newcastle. It is clear that the British government, knowing that the protests against the devastating effects of the cuts will increase, are making every effort to intimidate and deter those that can give a political lead to the anti-cuts movement. All those that defend the democratic right to protest have to support all those arrested and call for the dropping of all charges.
From Manchester RCG to the GDCTuesday, 17 May 2011
Update: May trial of anti-cuts activist adjourned until July
Update: The GDC has learned that the trial of Dominic O'Hara has been adjourned until July. Watch this space for further updates.
Dominic O'Hara was due to appear at Glasgow District Court on 23 May on a politically-motivated charge of police assault during an anti-cuts protest in Glasgow on 29 January. This has now been moved once again to July. Dominic - alongside other members of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! - has been a consistent target for Strathclyde police harassment over the past year. It is especially important people turn out in numbers to show solidarity with this young activist who has already been convicted on the word of lying police officers for his part in another protest in Glasgow on 9 December and faces the serious possibility of a custodial sentence.
Dominic O'Hara was due to appear at Glasgow District Court on 23 May on a politically-motivated charge of police assault during an anti-cuts protest in Glasgow on 29 January. This has now been moved once again to July. Dominic - alongside other members of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! - has been a consistent target for Strathclyde police harassment over the past year. It is especially important people turn out in numbers to show solidarity with this young activist who has already been convicted on the word of lying police officers for his part in another protest in Glasgow on 9 December and faces the serious possibility of a custodial sentence.
Joey Simons, another member of FRFI, will appear in court on Monday 6 June, on trial for several charges also relating to the 9 December student protests.
The Glasgow Defence Campaign is committed to defending all those under attack from the authorities for organising in opposition to the social devastation pursued by the Tory government and Glasgow's Labour city council. Hundreds of young people took to the streets of Glasgow throughout December and January to voice their anger about the destruction of education and the multinational businesses continuing to avoid billions in taxes. It is of equal importance that people come to the streets in numbers to voice their anger that young activists taking a leading role in these demonstrations are criminalised for exercising their right to protest.
Solidarity with anti-cuts activists! Defend the right to protest!
Glasgow District Court, St. Andrews Street, Glasgow (just off Saltmarket)
Thursday, 5 May 2011
GDC supporter deals with police harassment as protesters confront political leaders
On Tuesday 3 May, supporters of the Save the Accord Centre campaign, Citizens United, Margaret Jaconelli and the Glasgow Defence Campaign gathered to confront the leaders of Scotland's main political parties. A final hustings debate, before the election on the 5 May, was being held in the Glasgow Piping Centre and was broadcast live on STV.
Despite being kept outside the building by security staff the crowd of 50+ made sure that their voices were heard chanting 'Glasgow Labour council, Shame on you!', 'Save the Accord, Save the Accord, Save the Accord right now!' and other popular slogans.
The mainstream press were forced to take account of the campaigners noisy presence and so too were the party leaders - Gray (Labour), Goldie (Tories), Scott (Liberals) and Salmond (SNP) - as people demanded answers and assurances off them that the Accord Centre in Dalmarnock would not be closed to make way for a road and car park for the 2014 commonwealth games.
One campaigner commented that 'commonwealth shame' is a more appropriate title for the event. With the poorest and most vulnerable groups in society, such as the elderly, disabled and young, having the services which they require to live a decent life ripped away from them this is a title which cannot be disputed.
As the demonstration dispersed Dominic O'Hara - a supporter of the Glasgow Defence Campaign - was harassed by officers who claimed that he was banned from entering Glasgow city centre. This relates to bail conditions which were informally imposed on a fourteen year old and formally held on two seventeen year olds and two other anti cuts campaigners two weeks ago when all five were spontaneously arrested by Strathclyde police for participating in a peaceful protest on the 9 December 2010 against education cuts. Charges against all five were dropped on 21 April and the restrictive bail conditions were lifted.
PC David Markey (A413), Constable Hay (A80) and Sergeant Wilson (A548) were the offending officers.
The GDC salutes the people who came out yesterday to express their opposition to the cuts and the ‘commonwealth shame’. It will be normal Glaswegians that will be sacrificed for the interests of the rich and corrupt and so it will have to be normal Glaswegians that take a stand against these people and their army known as Strathclyde police.
No to political policing!
Fight the cuts!
Save The Accord Right Now!
Glasgow Defence Campaign
Contact us with any details of police harassment – see our Police Harassment Log at
http://glasgowdefencecampaign.blogspot.com/ or contact glasgowdefence@yahoo.co.uk
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Trade Union support builds for the GDC and against political policing
Dominic O'Hara of the Glasgow Defence Campaign spoke at Dundee Trades Union Council May Day march. To applause, he pointed out that the resistance which working people and trade unionists are beginning to show to the cuts will inevitably come up very quickly against the police and other state forces. Dominic encouraged that resistance, stating that the working class will not accept being made to pay for the crisis of the ruling class' system.
At Glasgow's May Day March, hundreds heard Len McCluskey, president of the Unite union, support the Glasgow Defence Campaign and its battle against political policing. He spoke of the determination of the Scottish revolutionary John MacLean to fight for free speech and quoted the famous words of MacLean at his trial in 1918 when he was sentenced to five years penal servitude for his opposition to the imperialist war. Speaking of the thuggish behaviour of the London Metropolitan police over the last year, McCluskey sent the same message to Strathclyde police: “Keep your sleazy hands off our kids!”
Dundee Trades Union Council, which supports the GDC, had put forward the motion which was passed unanimously at the Annual Conference of the Scottish Trade Union Congress a few days ago. We include the text of this resolution below and urge all contacts to take this into their union organisations- and all other organisations, community campaigns and political groups. We also include a model resolution for this. Please let the GDC know of progress in this. The GDC can provide a speaker for meetings and everyone is urged to take up this offer to assist in spreading the opposition to political policing and the cuts.
Dominic is himself a member of the Unite union since his battle with the fast food multinational KFC. He took a principled stance against unpaid and compulsory overtime and was illegally sacked for this action. Then, Strathclyde police were hesitant about interfering with the solidarity pickets organised by activists in the Govanhill area of Glasgow. Despite conspirational car park chats between the cops and the local KFC manager who urged them to act to clear the pickets- the local community was informed about KFC's bullying and encouraged to boycott this low pay- crap food outfit's profitable operations.
Now, as we know, Strathclyde police have stepped up their political policing campaign in the southside of Glasgow and elsewhere. GDC supporters are learning every day of the determination of the cops to stifle and stall resistance to repression and limit and control legal political expression. The GDC though is more determined and will continue to organise and gather support from all organisations and individuals.
This week GDC comrades are meeting to discuss the legal campaign against Strathclyde police's repressive actions. The GDC is not a criminal or illegal organisation. The resistance to the cuts is not a criminal campaign. The GDC is seeking the views of all supporters on calling for a legal and public inquiry into Strathclyde police and its campaign of political policing.
Last week’s STUC congress in Ayr unanimously passed the following motion from Dundee TUC, condemning the recent spate of political arrests of student activists in Glasgow, and the attacks on the right to protest more generally:
That this Congress expresses its concern at recent actions by some police forces in Scotland, which appear to be designed to intimidate anti-cuts activists, particularly young people and students, as opposed to fulfilling any legitimate law and order function. These include incidents such as those at Vodafone and the Hetherington in Glasgow.
Congress:
1) notes the public concern expressed on these cases by, amongst others, John Pilger, Ken Loach and Peter Mullan
2) Recognises that some form of non-violent direct action is a legitimate tool of political campaigning
3) recalls its existing policy concerning local authority impositions on the routes and timings of legitimate protest marches
4) resolves, in the context of heightened and possibly long-term political opposition to government policy, to call on the General Council to raise these concerns with the Scottish Government and local authorities and to exhibit appropriate solidarity with those it considers targeted by these tactics.
1) notes the public concern expressed on these cases by, amongst others, John Pilger, Ken Loach and Peter Mullan
2) Recognises that some form of non-violent direct action is a legitimate tool of political campaigning
3) recalls its existing policy concerning local authority impositions on the routes and timings of legitimate protest marches
4) resolves, in the context of heightened and possibly long-term political opposition to government policy, to call on the General Council to raise these concerns with the Scottish Government and local authorities and to exhibit appropriate solidarity with those it considers targeted by these tactics.
Glasgow Defence Campaign
MODEL RESOLUTION.
The Glasgow Defence Campaign has been established in order to defend people's rights to free speech and political organisation. The campaign arose out of the direct experience of Strathclyde police attempting to prevent campaigning against the cuts in Glasgow. We seek support from all organisations, groups and individuals: trade unions, community, student, civil rights, legal, religious and political.
The Glasgow Defence Campaign welcomes the support expressed in the speech made by the General Secretary of the Unite Trade Union, Len McCluskey, at this years May Day March in Glasgow. The GDC also welcomes the motion unanimously passed at the Annual Conference of the Scottish Trade Union Congress. The GDC expresses its thanks to Dundee Trade Union Council for raising the motion and welcomes the concern shown by these labour movement organisations at the recent behaviour of police across Scotland. As the motion states: this “...appears to be designed to intimidate anti- cuts activists...”. Glasgow Defence Campaign can assure its wide range of supporters, amongst which we include Dundee Trades Union Council, that intimidation may be the aim of the state authorities but they have only succeeded in making all more determined to unite to defend our rights to protest.
Can we ask all supporters of the GDC to consider raising the following model resolution through their Trade Union branches, community, student, civil rights, legal, religious and political organisations and to send on the details to us in order that we can add that support to our campaign. Thank you.
“The Glasgow Defence Campaign has been established to oppose political policing and defend democratic rights in the struggle against the cuts in Glasgow.
We condemn the recent police attacks on the right to protest experienced by anti- cuts activists across Scotland.
We condemn all the tactics employed by the police in their campaign against protest: street stops, repeated requests for personal details, door stepping visits to homes at unreasonable hours, attempted interviews with minors without parental permission or legal support, false charges and police perjury, police intimidation in court, repeated police approaches to legal protest activity.
We further condemn the restrictive bail conditions imposed on those charged which prevent knowledge of the undemocratic actions of the police from being brought fully before the public.
We support the Glasgow Defence Campaign and all other campaigns and individuals fighting to challenge unjust use of the law to intimidate protest.
We note the Glasgow Defence Campaign is seeking the views of all supporters on calling for a legal and public inquiry into Strathclyde police and its campaign of political policing.”
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
If you tolerate this....
The Glasgow Defence Campaign would like to highlight this case of political policing in Soho Square London which took place on 29 April 2011. We would like to condemn the sinister use of undercover snatch squads against peaceful assembly.
Friday, 29 April 2011
GDC supporters followed after May Day March in Dundee
Supporters of FRFI and the GDC attended the May Day march in Dundee today.
After a noisy march - with groups such as Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! holding the new No Cuts - Full Stop! banner, Students Defending Dundee Schools (SDDS) and Defend Dundee Services adding to the volume - the crowd of 250 made their way into the City Square. A representative of the Glasgow Defence Campaign was invited to speak from the Dundee Trades Union Council platform and described to the crowd the ongoing attack on democratic rights in Glasgow. This condemnation of the actions of Strathclyde police was applauded by the crowd and the call to organise in defence of democratic rights and living standards was endorsed. Readers should note GDC supporters recognised officers who have been involved in political policing in Glasgow.
After a noisy march - with groups such as Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! holding the new No Cuts - Full Stop! banner, Students Defending Dundee Schools (SDDS) and Defend Dundee Services adding to the volume - the crowd of 250 made their way into the City Square. A representative of the Glasgow Defence Campaign was invited to speak from the Dundee Trades Union Council platform and described to the crowd the ongoing attack on democratic rights in Glasgow. This condemnation of the actions of Strathclyde police was applauded by the crowd and the call to organise in defence of democratic rights and living standards was endorsed. Readers should note GDC supporters recognised officers who have been involved in political policing in Glasgow.
As the crowd dispersed GDC supporters were followed by up to 6 officers down to the entrance of the Wellgate Shopping centre. Exiting the opposite side of the mall the comrades sat down to plan how best to respond to this targetted and open political policing. Within two minutes two uniformed male officers appeared pointing out the supporters whilst talking into their walky talkies. The comrades made their way back into the shopping centre and contacted a local solicitor for advice.
Other anti cuts activists reported being followed by officers after the march as they made their way to a venue where an anti royal wedding party had been organised.
The GDC condemns the actions of Tayside police who have the same political objectives as their partners in Strathclyde; to crush opposition to the cuts. Dundee comrades have the solidarity of the GDC in their struggle against political policing.
We refuse to be intimidated or silenced!
Anti cuts activists monitored by police
The Glasgow Defence Campaign has received reports from anti-cuts activists in recent days claiming that they have been followed by marked police cars.
On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April Dominic O'Hara - a supporter of FRFI and the GDC who was recently convicted on a framed up charge of police assault - informed the GDC that a police car repeatedly pulled up alongside him on
Victoria and Pollokshaws Road without asking him to stop. Earlier on in the week a younger supporter of FRFI reported being followed by a police car as he walked through Govanhill. No attempt was made by the officers inside the vehicle to stop the comrade in this instance either.
Victoria and Pollokshaws Road without asking him to stop. Earlier on in the week a younger supporter of FRFI reported being followed by a police car as he walked through Govanhill. No attempt was made by the officers inside the vehicle to stop the comrade in this instance either.
The GDC calls on people to be vigilant at all times. Do not commit petty offences - such as dropping litter - as this only gives the offending officers an excuse to harass. Overt and covert police surveillance of those who organise against the cuts will increase as opposition to the attack on living standards mounts. The GDC will work its up most to expose and oppose these intimidation tactics.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
GDC statement on collapse of case against anti cuts activists
Victory in Glasgow as case against anti cuts activists collapses!
In a significant victory for anti cuts activists in Glasgow today, charges against supporters of the Glasgow Defence Campaign and the Free Hetherington were dropped before they went before a judge at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The bail conditions which prohibited the five arrested last week from attending demonstrations of two or more people – a clear attack on human rights and free speech – were also withdrawn. GDC spokesperson Paul McKenna stated: ‘We welcome this news as a significant victory for all those opposed to the cuts and those fighting for democratic rights in Glasgow. In recent weeks we have witnessed first hand Strathclyde police along with the crown office and the judiciary working together to destroy effective opposition to the cuts in this city. We refuse to be intimidated, and we refuse to be criminalised.’
The GDC is clear that recent, heavy-handed police tactics are aimed at intimidating those involved in any growing anti cuts movement. Police behaviour has included purposefully delaying arrests and charges from 9 December, increasing door-stepping, engaging in illegal questioning, making illegal arrests, issuing threats, targeting teenagers and disrupting family life. All of this in order to increase pressures on supporters. By withdrawing the charges and draconian bail conditions the police and crown office hope that they are now free to continue acting with impunity and with their campaign of targeted harassment. The politically motivated bail conditions unilaterally imposed by Strathclyde police – an explicit example of political policing – were intended to disrupt effective organisation against the cuts. That the crown withdrew the cases prior to any judicial scrutiny reveals the true intentions of last week’s arrests.
The Glasgow Defence Campaign believes that this latest victory is a vindication of the open and democratic approach we have adopted in highlighting the attacks on legal protesters. Speaking at last week’s rally against police harassment McKenna stated: ‘The challenge before the anti cuts movement is to make the legal and political defence of those on the sharp end of police harassment and criminalisation central to the new movement. It will be necessary to alter the balance of political forces in favour of those opposed to cuts and in defence of free speech. We need to reach a stage where it cannot be claimed that it is in the public interest to give those people who stand for justice and in defence of living standards a criminal record for doing so.’
The GDC would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters for the messages of solidarity over recent days. A week of convictions, arrests and harassment ended with a successful rally of progressive forces in Glasgow city centre and the dropping of all issued charges. Defeat has been turned into victory. But we call for extra vigilance against complacency. The political police have not gone away. Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! supporters Dominic O’Hara and Jonathan Simons are still facing trials for taking part in anti cuts protests on 29 January and 9 December respectively. The GDC once more pledges its commitment to oppose all instances of political policing in Glasgow and elsewhere. We will continue the struggle to build a movement capable of resisting the government’s destruction of state welfare and the rights and living standards of millions across the country.
GDC PRO
21 April, 18:00
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