Stop police violence protest.
\n
March via Dow
ning Street to New Scotland Yard.
The United Campai
gn Against Police Violence has called a national demonstration to highli
ght the issues of police violence and demand justice for those who have
died in police custody.
The police tactic of "kettling" demo
nstrators - essentially detaining protestors and bystanders without char
ge - will be turned on its head on the protest\, when we kettle New Scot
land Yard.On Saturday May 23rd 2009\, the United Campaign against Police
Violence group will be holding a protest march starting from Trafalgar
Square\, London. This comes after a series of protest that have occurred
after the controversial G20 summits. In which a passer by\, the police
struck Ian Tomlinson\, in an unprovoked attack\, which caused a huge upr
oar. \; Chris Knight\, suspended professor at the University of East
London and leader of the protest\, believes that\, &lsquo\; that new la
bour are trying to impose a police state that nobody wants.&rsquo\;
\; The march from Trafalgar Square will then go on towards Downing Stree
t\, and finally will finish at New Scotland Yard. \; It will be held
between 3pm &ndash\; 6pm.
\;
\nAt the end of the pro
test there will be a naming of the dead for those who have died in polic
e custody\, led by the families of the bereaved who have yet to receive
justice. Over 1000 people have died in police custody in the last 40 yea
rs - yet no one has been found responsible.
Protestors will
demand the disbanding of the Territorial Support Group\, the resignation
of "Independent" Police Complaints Commission chair Nick Hardwick\, jus
tice for those killed in police custody and for the right to protest.
John McDonnell MP\, chair of Labour Representation Committee\,
said:
"Increasingly\, evidence demonstrates policing of major dem
onstrations has got out of control and specialist police units have been
acting with virtual impunity.
"This campaign is about achie
ving democratic control over policing and securing protection from state
violence and harassment for members of our communities."
Ma
rk Serwotka\, General Secretary\, Public and Commercial Services union\,
said:
"The right to protest is a fundamental right which in these
times is more important than ever. That's why everyone should support t
his campaign to ensure people can protest without the threat of brutalit
y."
The Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign\, said:
"We believe in standing up for our moral and human rights and for speaki
ng for our loved ones who can no longer speak for themselves - Christoph
er Alder\, Brian Douglas\, Roger Sylvester\, Azelle Rodney\, Mikey Powel
l\, Ricky Bishop to name a few... They are among thousands who have rece
ived no justice for their death and their blood is crying out from benea
th the grave - these lost lives must not be forgotten\, their cases need
to be re-opened and re-examined\, like that of David Oluwale\, so that
true justice can prevail.
"For Sean Rigg\, Paps Ullah\, Ian
Tomlinson and many others we expect independent investigations that are
robust\, fully competent and unbiased towards the police in their search
for the unequivocal truth - the IPCC are not fit for that purpose . Ove
rall we demand full accountability of police officers who kill due to vi
olence or negligence - why should they have impunity from prosecution? N
o Justice\, No Peace!"
Jenny Jones\, Green Party member of t
he Greater London Assembly and Metropolitan Police Authority\, said:
"This is a demo with a difference - we are going to show the Met that
we are tired of the illegal imprisonment that they call 'containment' a
nd that we want them to change their attitude to protesters and become l
aw abiding themselves.
"Change is hard\, but the Met is losi
ng public confidence and it's time they understood that their job is to
reduce violence\, not add to it."
Chris Nineham\, Stop the W
ar Coalition\, said:
"What happened at the G20 was part of a trend
. In recent months the police have attacked many of our protests. They h
ave raided the homes of people who came on our demonstrations in solidar
ity with Gaza. They are trying to prosecute others who protested against
George Bush's visit in 2008. This is a very important demonstration bec
ause the attempt to criminalise protest and intimidate protestors must b
e stopped."
Trafgalar Square\, London.
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