Fitted Up Again (although this time by those supposedly on our side).

CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade) and Liberty are bringing a case against the FIT to Judicial Review (http://andrewwood.members.gn.apc.org/judicialreview/about.html).

This case dates back to April 2005 and is in relation to the intrusive nature in which
FIT took photographs of CAAT members after they left the Reed AGM (the company responsible for organising DSEi – the world's largest arms fair).

On the face of it, this is something Fitwatch should be supporting. However, it doesn't take much digging to discover this is a case of liberals devising one rule for themselves, and one for those they conveniently label as violent anarchists.

I was one of the two female demonstrators named in both Claimant and Defence statements. One of the arguments the police are using is basically that the Claimant was a potential suspect because he was seen talking to me. I have convictions for protest, and I believe in confrontational action. However, several of my convictions have been as a result of CAAT supported and organised protests.

Throughout the whole process, dating back three years, I have never been asked for a statement, never been included in any discussion about documents which obviously involve myself and a friend. This is despite the fact we are both well known to CAAT.
CAAT are denying I had anything to do with their protests (which is strange as we got shares as a result of our contacts within CAAT). They want to play the game of nice and nasty protester, and any judgement made on this basis will not be worth the paper it's written on.

Unless we fight for the rights of every protester we are fucked. If we're going down the legal route, then it needs to be a judgement based on the grounds the police have no lawful grounds to photograph people period.

Fitwatch was born out of the idea of acting in solidarity with each other. This case has nothing to do with solidarity. It also has nothing to do with truth – as shown by the fact CAAT are denying any association with us.

Getting out on the streets and opposing their tactics by all and every method available to us will and is having an effect. This Judicial Review is a missed opportunity to support the action of activists and will instead serve to alienate them.

Come to the Fitwatch meeting on 8th March and let's work out how we can kick the police off our demos forever.

Fit Watch Trial - 6th and 7th March

The next Fit Watch trial is taking place at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, Harefield Road on 6th and 7th March.

A Fit Watch activist, charged with obstruction, is planning to argue that the police were not acting in the execution of their lawful duty whilst photographing people attending the Climate Camp last summer.

At the last hearing, two CID officers from New Scotland Yard, so they are taking Fit Watch and the legal challenge seriously.

Superintendent Algar, who authorised the overt filming of protesters, will be crossed examined to justify the lawful basis of his actions.

Support is welcome, especially anyone happy to come and photograph and FIT and other cops attending court (nearest tube - Uxbridge).

Fitwatch meeting 8th March

Pissed off with political public order policing?

Think it's time for a collective response to police harassment andintimidation?

Fitwatch was born out of deep frustration at the ease with which police harass activists and disrupt protest, particularly through the use of surveillance and other intelligence gathering tactics.

Share this frustration?

Come along and discuss how we can build momentum and create a working resistance to this police bullying.

There are a range of tactics open to us – some less confrontational,others more so.

A little resistance from a lot of people can go a long way...

All welcome

London School of Economics
Connaught House,
Aldwych
Saturday 8th March
2pm

Nearest Tubes: Holburn or Temple

Meeting will be held in Room H103. Entrance is in Aldwych next to Nat West bank.

e-mail: defycops@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.fitwatch.blogspot.com/

Antifascist demo, London, Feb '08

Sorry folks but didn't get any really useful pics from this. Was using a new lens and hadn't quite sussed out the optimum camera settings, so ended up with a load of pics that were completely useless. Plus, because the participants didn't know me they were a bit iffy about me taking pics.

Interesting observation though... FIT-types were there (saw a couple of very familiar faces) but not in usual garb... just dressed as normal cops.




The other coupla pics I'm publishing can be viewed (if anyone's interested) at this Flickr set.