Smash EDO/ITT Freedom to Protest March

150 demonstrators and a samba band gathered at Churchill Square in Brighton today (Sat 19/01/2008) to protest at the heavy handed tactics increasingly being used by Brighton police against legitimate protest groups.

They marched, to the accompaniment of Rhythms of Resistance, to the local police station where a noisy protest was held. Police formed a cordon in front of the main reception area and denied entry to people who attempted to enter the premises to lodge formal complaints, informing them that the police station was closed. One man was violently arrested.

The protest returned to Churchill Square and continued along Western Road, stopping occasionally to gather public support. Shortly after a warning was issued on a loudhailer by Inspector Parr threatening to arrest people for wilful obstruction of a public highway, (section 137, Highways Act 1980),the police swapped places with protestors by forming a cordon in the middle of the road, blocking traffic while people on the demo suddenly found themselves surrounding a group of kettled police.

Violent scenes were provided courtesy of the forces of law and disorder as it became apparent that the local keystones had totally lost control of the situation and could only answer non violent civil action with force. A big hello to sergeant Avery and pc Sean McDonald who win joint first prize for biggest hissy fit on a protest 2008 after their wonderful displays of impotent rage. One further arrest was made.

smashedo.org.uk

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Smash
• EDO
• ITT
• Anti
• War
• Arms
• Dealers
• March
• Protest
• Freedom

[untilallarefree]

People shout that at the police because it is the police who are banning freedom of speech using the legislation passed by our government. They are responsible for the repsressive measures towards the campaign, specifically Brighton's Sussex Police Force infact.

When individuals are arrested for singing outside EDO and get taken to court, I can imagine this makes peaceful protesters extremely angry...

Afterall, if you can't protest peacefully, what else can you do?

ACAB.

[Darryld1]

"We want everyone to join us. Don't care what the campaign, don't care where you're from'.

Errrmmmmm...... people who support the manufacturing and trade of weapons, don't generally march about demanding things. Perhaps try making some sense out of what you mean before opening mouth? EDO/ITT is still there and hasn't been 'smashed'.

[TheMca69]

Thats so stupid... The cops r prolly stoping u couse ur a bunch of crazy radicals... 1 day when u need help; i hope a cop turn his back

[cemeteryatmidnight]

Shouting "Pigs" at the police. How old are you? They're there for your protection. There is no conspiracy. There is no conspiracy against free speech! x

[eminemtommy]

@SodiumCyanide lol

[jendrixhendrix]

Protesting about protesting. jesus.

[InternetUser1999]

Next year in 2010 there will be at least 20,000 protesters and we will shut down that EDO arms factory!

[Plentisaki]

You people make my teeth itch! McDonalds was attacked for christs sake!? Why? Because you say they are connected to the arms industry somehow? Do you work? If you do, you pay taxes. Some of those taxes are spent on Defence etc, so by your logic, YOU are a legitimate target for violence aren't you? Fuck the Police? Yeah, way to go Sherlock! I hope one day those words come back and haunt you. I really do!

[SodiumCyanide]

get a job hippies

[webby5011]

just goes to show mate, these people aren't there to protest anything they just like to shout and cause trouble. shouting "fuck the police" won't stop the arms trade will it

[dan101uk]

I love the naïveté of these comments! "it was all peaceful until the police turned up and set dogs on us for no reason!" Yeah ok then...

And really a portest about protesting? Don't you have anything better to do?