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.