Don't be intimidated! See you on the streets!

Following on from today's news that MET police have sent letters out to people who were arrested at previous 'austerity related' demonstrations and the much publicised statement that plastic bullet baton rounds have been authorised for use if needed, Fitwatch have published the article below.

The letters [pic] were sent out to people who had even had all charges against them dropped including youth defendants in the Fortnum and Mason occupation court cases - see also guardian article. The letters warned:

"It is in the public and your own interest that you do not involve yourself in any type of criminal or antisocial behaviour. We have a responsibility to deliver a safe protest which protects residents, tourists, commuters, protesters and the wider community. Should you do so we will at the earliest opportunity arrest and place you before the court."

Don't be intimidated! See you on the streets!

From Fitwatch: http://www.fitwatch.org.uk/2011/11/08/dont-be-intimidated-see-you-on-the-streets/

On the eve of the mass education/sparks/cabbies protest on 9th November, it is clear the state are trying to intimidate us.

From the news today that the police have written to protesters arrested at previous demonstrations warning them off protesting (see picture), to the “total policing” of the last couple of weeks witnessed at the squatting demo and deaths in custody march (amongst others), the message is clear; attempt to protest and the state will clamp down, act violently, and make arbitrary arrests. And, if you’re unlucky enough to get caught, the courts are making sure long deterrent sentences are passed, regardless of how insignificant the individual action, in attempt to scare us away from future protest.

However, whilst even seasoned activists have admitted to being a little scared at the current state of policing, it’s not all doom and gloom, and we mustn’t be tricked into feeling intimidated. It’s nearly the anniversary of the Met’s attempt to silence Fitwatch for giving common sense advice to the Millbank protesters. This is still recommended reading, as is this Fitwatch call to action.

Above all, we should be applying the lessons we have learnt on the streets over the last year. When we don’t just ‘walk on by’, and act in solidarity with each other, we are stronger; when we act as fast mobile blocs, we are more effective and harder to contain; when we sit down or put our hands in the air, we are fodder for baton strikes and kettling; when we refuse to play the divide and rule game and condemn fellow protesters, we are more threatening.

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, when we mask up, and make no comment to police questioning, we are harder to convict and lock up.

See you on the streets!