Fit watch: Antifascist demo, London, Feb '08

Tuesday 5 February 2008

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.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: The cop hiding in a doorway taking a picture could almost be considered covert surveillance. Covert surveillance, unlike the normal FIT stuff, has to comply with RIPA, and this undoubtedly wouldn't. Maybe the picture is misleading and this police were being their usual overt selves, but it is something to bear in mind.
And again a copper taking pictures - what happened to the old civilian photographers?; 6 February 2008 at 13:22
Anonymous said...: Covert picture taking whilst in uniform and in broad day light you tit!; 7 February 2008 at 07:26
Anonymous said...: Two things stand out from the photos published:

1) it's a cop! as opposed to a hireling. As noted above, where's the civvy?

2) where's the accompanying cops? He looks a bit alone with all that expensive camera gear...; 8 February 2008 at 10:58
Anonymous said...: Isn't that Laughing Boy CO5466?; 8 February 2008 at 11:00

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Who are FIT Watch?

Fit Watch are a fluid group of people who have come together to resist and oppose the tactics of the Forward Intelligence Teams (cops who harass protesters).

We aim to act in solidarity with each other, supporting campaigns by being at meetings and protests, making it harder for the police to film and gather intelligence.

We hope to encourage a culture where their presence is not acceptable and to act when we see people being followed and harassed.

We aim to make it harder for them to photograph and intimidate us by getting in the way of their cameras, taking photos and publishing as much information as we can about them on our blog.

Please add info as a comment or send to defycops(at)yahoo.co.uk

Some Ideas For Fitwatching

FIT Watch can be done by anyone and can be as passive or as confrontational as you wish. Here are some tactics we have found to be effective:

1.Holding large banners in front of photographers. This is particularly effective with double sheets on sticks which can block a camera from a distance. This is the least confrontational way of blocking photography.

2.Taking photos of them. They really don’t like this but it isn’t illegal. With any photos it’s always good to either try and get the cop’s number in the shot, or note it down.

3.Following the FIT. Pick a team and tail them. Turn their tactics onto them – everything time they send a text message look over their shoulder, listen to their phone conversations, look at what they’re writing in their notebooks.

4.Watch out for group huddles, especially with senior officers and go and unobtrusively stand by them. This disrupts their briefings and there’s always the possibility you might learn some useful information.

5.Upload any information gathered about the FIT to www.fitwatch.blogspot.com or email to defycops@yahoo.co.uk

6.Put yourself physically in the way of the camera men by standing constantly in front of the camera and constantly shadow them. This has been the most confrontational tactic used so far and has therefore been the one people have been arrested for. However it has also been possible to do this without arrest, especially if there are larger numbers doings this.

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Tuesday 5 February 2008

Antifascist demo, London, Feb '08

4 comments:

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Cop Photographer pulling face

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Fitwatch

http://www.fitwatch.org.uk

Fit watch

Pages

Policewatch Films

Tuesday 5 February 2008

Antifascist demo, London, Feb '08

4 comments:

Twitter / Fitwatcher

Subscribe To

Donate To Fitwatch

Who are FIT Watch?

Some Ideas For Fitwatching

Cop Photographer pulling face

Fit Eating Ice Cream

Blog Archive

Contributors

Links