Posts tagged protest
Mounted police charge protesters
Nov 26th
Whilst I don’t agree with a lot of the goings on at the student protests lately, which often have just degraded into outright vandalism, there is an acceptable level of reaction from the police, and this goes far beyond that.
Today I saw a @paul_a_smith retweeting a link from @arlloyd which was an article, with video on the guardian site showing mounted police charging on the protestors, one of whom is pregnant (and though they had no way of knowing that, they should assume the possiblity of potential risks such as this). Here is the video from the article:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgxwTF-qeAo&feature=player_embedded
While some of the damage and material loss caused by the protest is deplorable, nothing warrants these people being charged by officers mounted on horses. For the Met Police to then deny that the crowd were charged shows a level of incompetency and underhandedness that is simply unacceptable.
In my opinion, there should be an external investigation which covers:
- Why the order was given to charge
- What risk assessment was done prior to the order
- Why the charge was hidden and denied afterwards
- What injury was caused by this charge
- How will those responsible be brought to task (criminal or professional).
The original article on the Guardian website can be found here for anyone wanting to read more.
~Shepy
TSA airport security has gone too far
Nov 14th
I’ve just read a worrying article, in which an American was refused flight and then threatened with a civil law suit, on the basis that he refused to subject to an advanced-imaging technology scanner x-ray (sometimes named the naked body scan) and then explained that he would consider it sexual assault if his genitals were touched during the subsequent pat down. This lead to him not only being refused on board his flight, but also in him being threatened with a civil law suit for $10,000 if he didnt submit to the pat down. The blog post of this can be found here (new window)
A quick image for people who are not familiar with the backscatter machines might help you understand why one might want to opt out of these;
Move your mouse over that, for an invert of the image. That’s an invasive image if ever I saw one, likely recognisable to anyone who know’s that girl, and far beyond what someone should be expected to subject themselves to in order to gain passage through a country’s border. Now whilst we are assured that this type of image is merely to show the capabilities of the machine, and that in actual use the resolution will be dialled back to preserve privacy, there is no 100% guarantee this is done in every airport & installation, and the trust in this statement is damaged more with other statements being proved wrong about their operation;
When these AIT scanners were rolled out there was assurance that no images could be stored, saved or transmitted from these machines (even if you ignore for a moment the ‘Analogue Hole’ of someone being able to photograph the screen), despite a report and spec sheet months prior to launch asserting that they would need these features for ‘training purposes’. Then a few months ago, a federal agency admitted that it routinely saved and transmitted these images; news article here (new window). One guy has even be charged with assault after his co-workers at the airport where he worked at started a tirade of abuse about his genitals after they were seen during training on the device; news article here (new window)
Here is a quick CNN video on the machines:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muYh8d70yow
So what happens if you don’t want to go through an AIT machine? Well then you can opt to have a pat down to be checked for concealed items, as has been done for years by police and security officials, right? Wrong, things just got a whole lot worse.
Starting October 29th the TSA in America have began a new pat down procedure, entitled ‘Enhanced Pat Down’ in which the subject will be essentially groped and felt all over to check for suspicious items, which will include genitals and breasts etc being checked.
Here is a video that shows you a little bit more about the new procedures:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrq86qV2x2s
In my opinion, this has gone too far and has firmly overstepped the line from security into an invasion of privacy and affront to the dignity of the passengers, to quote an oft used line:
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. – Benjamin Franklin 1755
It is for this, and other security measures in place such as iris / retina scanning that I refuse to visit the USA, and will continue to do so until (if ever) there is a change. One group is working to try and bring about that change, and is encouraging people to opt out of the AIT scans on November the 24th, which is when a lot of Americans fly home for their Thanksgiving celebrations. I sincerely hope that this protest has an effect, and starts the ball rolling to bring about changes in these policies, though the realist in me rather worries that it wont, and things will continue unchecked.
If you want more information on the November 24th National Opt Out Day, that can be found here (new window).
Comments and suggestions always welcome.
UPDATE: A friend on facebook commented, to object to TSA intrusion call state senator before Nov 17th hearing – info @ http://is.gd/h1YWd
~Shepy
Stop the War Protest: Edinburgh
Nov 15th
Seeing as how I had covered the London Stop the War coalition protest, as there was one a lot closer in Edinburgh, it seemed silly not to head along to photograph that too. The Edinburgh Stop the War protest march was on the 14th November.
Bright and early Saturday morning, Paul and I headed up to Edinburgh and arrived shortly before the protest started.
There was only a fraction of the attendance compared to the London one, but that is to be expected I suppose, even if only due to the size of the respective cities.
The protest marched round the streets of Edinburgh, passing through major shopping and public areas, passing the Edinburgh International Conference Centre where the NATO conference was being held, then continued on down into the Princes Street Gardens.
A few pics from the day (click to enlarge)
The protest marching through the streets of Edinburgh
Protest passing a poppy wreath on a memorial
A girl carried on her father's shoulders, placard aloft
Mounted police wait for the procession to begin moving again
A young man lights a flare outside the EICC where NATO are meeting
Protest march pass Edinburgh Castle
A young couple have better ideas
The rest of the album can be seen in my gallery here.
~Shepy
Stop The War Protest
Oct 25th
Leading the Stop The War protest
October 24th 2009 was set to be the date for the ‘Stop The War’ protest, a demonstration march against the ongoing war in Afghanistan. The top 10 reasons for protesting, as quoted by the Stop The War website were:
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The death rate is rising on both sides
The number of British troops who have died is now higher than those killed in 6 years in Iraq. Fifteen soldiers died in the first two weeks of July alone. No one keeps track of the number of Afghan dead but it numbers tens of thousands since 2001. In May more than 140 Afghans, mainly women and children, were killed in one air strike.
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This is an unwinnable war
The Taliban was defeated in 2001 but is now growing in strength. Osama bin Laden has not been captured. The war is supposedly about defending the Karzai government. But his government is one of the most corrupt in the world. Neither he nor the occupation forces have brought any real improvements for the Afghan
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Gordon Brown claims the war is about combating terrorism.
There was no terrorist threat to Britain before the war in Afghanistan, or before the war in Iraq in 2003. It is those wars and their consequences that have made Britain a target. Even MI5 told the government the Iraq occupation was likely to increase not decrease terrorism.
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We are told this may have to be our ’30 years war’
We have fought for eight years and the situation is getting worse. Children as yet unborn will be dying if this war is not stopped.
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The war is spreading to Pakistan
Pakistan is a nuclear state, opening up the prospect of an even more terrible conflict
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Life is getting worse for most Afghans under occupation
There is a huge refugee problem. Corruption is rife. While Tony Blair promised in 2001 ‘we will not walk away’ Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the United Nations life expectancy has fallen for Afghans since 2003. Far more is spent on the war and the military than is spent on reconstruction. Aid meant to help the Afghans is not getting through to those who need it.
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Britain has spent £4.6 billion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq every year
This is enough money to create 200,000 graduate jobs annually. We should be funding these jobs, not wasting more money on war. Unemployment must not become a recruiting sergeant for the army.
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More troops or helicopters won’t help
The NATO forces are not losing because they don’t have the equipment but because they are in Afghanistan.
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We were told that the war in Afghanistan was to liberate women
Women’s lives have not improved. Death in childbirth is rising. The Karzai government even tried to pass a law allowing rape in marriage. Despite all the talk about troops helping girls to go to school, less than a third of Afghan girls are in school and less than 10% can read and write, 8 years after the fall of the Taliban.
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The majority of Afghans do not want the war and occupation
The majority of British people think the troops should come home by Xmas at the latest. In two recent polls 56% (BBC and Guardian) and 59% (ITN) want the troops out.
Placards ready and waiting
Thousands turned up to join in the march through the streets of London chanting anti-war and political slogans all the while. The broad spectrum of people making the effort to march really made you think, some of the more notable people being:
Peter Brierley
Hetty Bower
Joe Glenton
Tony Benn
Peter Brierley
Peter recently hit the news as the man who refused to shake the hand of Tony Blair, stating “I’m not shaking your hand, you’ve got blood on it.” Peter’s son Lance Cpl Shaun Brierley was killed while in service in 2003.
Hetty Bower
At 104 Hetty was the oldest protester at the event, but still managed to walk the entire march. Having lived through each of the world wars Hetty said “‘I march because I can see no reason for further killing. I have walked on every march against us going to war. At my age there is not very much I can do but while my legs can carry me I am going to march.”
Lance Cpl Joe Glenton
Joe Glenton is the first serving soldier to take part in an anti-war protest. Already facing arrest and court martial for being AWOL due to his disagreement with the war, Joe had been told that attendance at the march would result in further charges being brought, but Joe felt so strongly about the issue that he still marched proudly.
Tony Benn
Politician and leader of the Stop the War Coalition, Tony Benn still made the effort to attend and give a rousing speech despite having recently been hospitalised after taking ill at a recent conference in Brighton.
Marching forward at the Stop The War protests in London, October 24th 2009
The march started at the well known Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, demonstrators gathering from 12 noon where they were greeted by stalls from many political groups handing out flyers and newspapers. Hundreds of placards waited for them to collect and hoist aloft, ready for the actual protest march which began at 1pm. The march set off at 1pm exactly and lead the protesters through Park Lane, Piccadilly and Haymarket among others, ending at Trafalgar Square where the crowd were entertained with songs by Robb Johnson before listening to moving speeches from Tony Benn, Joe Glenton, an ex Guantanamo Bay prisoner, leader of the British Muslim Initiative and others. Despite rain trying its best to spoil the day, people listened intently to all speakers, whooping cheering and clapping often, making their views known on the war.
Protesting for peace
Rain didn't deter the protesters
Protesters listen to the speakers at Trafalgar Square
There was even a bit of light comic relief at times, provided by Charlie Veitch who is often to be found shouting on a loudspeaker in protests in London. Unfortunately I didnt manage to capture the first part of one of Charlie’s talks to the police, in which he advised officers when using their batons not to hit below the belt, no cracking skulls and if at all possible try not to kill anyone. Even the police were chuckling at this, as you can see here:
Charlie Veitch
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJx-12ZIYQ”>www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWJx-12ZIYQ
All in all it was an excellent protest, peaceful and respectful as they should be. Hopefully they have made people think, especially with the upcoming general elections!
The rest of the pictures from the day can be seen in my gallery by clicking here.
As ever, comments and suggestions welcome.
~Shepy