London Protest Today! Stop the “Kettling” Please!

What is Kettling?

The original tactic used : Long planned by the police in the run-up to this year’s G20,  kettling is now the Met’s tactic-of-choice when it comes to dealing with crowds of people  where violence is a possibility.

As former senior policeman Andy Hayman predicted in a Times blog written the day before the summit:

“The tactics are “to herd the crowd into a pen, known as ‘the kettle’… the police will not want groups splintering away from the main crowd.”

Policing experts say the procedure dictates that officers move protesters to a pre-designated spot. As other protesters join the crowd, the police noose draws gradually tighter.

The official description of “Kettling” in Wikipedia is: Kettling, also known as containment or corralling,^[1] is a police tactic for the management of large crowds during demonstrations or protests. It involves the formation of large cordons of police officers who then move to contain a crowd within a limited area. Protesters are left only one choice of exit, determined by the police, or are completely prevented from leaving. In some cases protesters have been reported to have been denied access to food, water and toilet facilities for a long period.

**** But in reality, the Tactics have become just another Mechanism to discourage democratic protest in the UK so much so that this is the kind of Legal advise being given to overcome “undue Kettling” :

Legal hotline & arrest support: 07946 541 511

Bindmans Solicitors: 020 7833 4433

Green and Black Cross and LDMG are teaming up this Saturday sporting orange bibs to legal observe the demonstration and feeder marches. This means we will be keeping an eye on what the police get up to and we’ll be there to provide solid advice that aims to support protesters and a diversity of tactics. However we’re not the only ones..

   Be wary of Liberty legal observers

GBC and LDMG are advising caution when dealing with Liberty’s untrained legal observers in green  bibs. Liberty are working closely with police in the run up to and during the demonstration and are  willing to testify against the actions of protesters.

Key messages on the day TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS!

1.NO COMMENT to all police questions. There is no such thing as a friendly chat with police. All information can be used against you or the demonstration and this movement. It is almost never in your interest to answer police questions in an interview.

2.GIVE NO DETAILS IN A STOP AND SEARCH Never consider giving any  details to Police unless you are arrested and are inside a police station.  This is strongly advised as the general rule to go by, but for more  complex break down see http://tinyurl.com/6djkf3g

3.USE A GOOD SOLICITOR We recommend Bindmans 02078334433, Birnberg Pierce 020 7911 0166 and Hodge Jones and Allen 07659 111 192. If you are arrested it is essential you ring/ email (gbclegal[at]riseup.net) us so we can help you with witnesses etc.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED COME MEET OTHERS AFTERWARDS We have arrange a defendant debrief/support meeting the following Saturday, 2pm at ULU (Room 2c).

Lastly, don’t rely on GBC LDMG legal observers to be ever present! We will have 50 + trained legal observers out on the day.

Although this is amazing and we will try to cover all flash points and areas of the  demonstrations it’s not likely to be enough, so please remember our key messages,  call us if you witness an arrest/assault, write the legal phone numbers on your arm  and tell your friends.

Good luck!

www.ldmg.org.uk

3 comments on “London Protest Today! Stop the “Kettling” Please!”

1. Anon

   April 18, 2011

   

   I want to post quick hello and want to say appriciate for this good article.

   LikeLike

   Reply
   • ceciliawyu

     April 22, 2011

     

     Thank you.

     LikeLike

     Reply

2. Pingback: Betta Kultcha & iProtest Art Preview! 12th April@historic 1836 Corn Exchange! « Sustain-Able 余 : Cecilia's Blog

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