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Police bullyboy tactics @ critical mass-25/08/06

Anarcho cyclist | 29.08.2006 13:31 | Indymedia | Repression | London

The police used imtimidatory tacticts at fridays critical mass,one police officer D360 was ready to use CS gas on a cyclist.

On friday 25/08/06 I attended the monthly critical mass,as usual it was a good turnout and a geneial crowd. I had noticed that there were many more police cyclists than I had seen on the last two rides. As we were cycling down the Mall I witnessed a police cyclist deliberatly bumping into cyclists,I pointed out to the officer that his actions were unjust and illegal,I then asked him for his number which he gave as D360,he then asked me if I was going to complain against him. I cycled away from him.When the ride stopped briefly at Trafalgar Sq the same officer stopped near me and a friend staring intently at us.A collegue joined him and they engaged in name calling,D360 then unclipped his CS gas cannister,I took this to be a threat,I took out my mobile phone and began to film his actions,at this he and his collegue moved away. Towards the last stages of the ride the police became increasingly aggressive by bumping into cyclists,bumping peoples back wheels.On more than one occasion I witnessed police cyclists mounting the pavement(surely an infringement??).On several occasions they just barged past people,I felt compelled to point out that by using the words "excuse me please" not only would people know that they were required to move,in a civilised society manners go a long way in keeping people genial and non confrontational. If the police are to insist on joining the ride surely it`s not too much to ask that they act professionally,after all as I pointed out to one irate policeman,they are public servants,we are the public. It seems to me that thier presence is there to be confrontational rather than to police a situation.It has been mentioned that legal observers are being considered.I think this to be a good idea,after all,who polices the police??

Anarcho cyclist
- e-mail: savage_productions@yahoo.co.uk

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

They police are sore at losing the court case.

29.08.2006 15:44

Just trying to get their own back is all. The cops never like to be wrong and must always assert their authority and they really enjoy stirring it. So expect more of the same on future rides, except the December ride when they don't turn up cos its almost New Year and they haven't recovered from Christmas yet.

Itsme


CM police

29.08.2006 23:30

It sounds to me that there is small group of police that have a bit of a grudge against the ride. The police I have encountered during the last few rides have seemed quite chipper and may I say looked as tho they were having fun too... I mean if you're a police person attending CM has to be a job perk :o) It would be arse if CM turned into an excuse for scuffling with the police... leagal observers would be good... and I think not playing up to those officers who are intent on causing disruption would be wise... it sounds like they're just out looking for an excuse to arrest someone... and if people start getting arrested it's going to put people off from attending. Maybe people with cameras who film wheel bumping etc could post evidence on indymedia... which could then be used to make formal complaints?

Smuffy


Police abuse

01.09.2006 15:24

We have all, through lack of significant protest, allowed the police to believe that they are a law unto themselves. The number of innocent people murdered by the police increases each year. No one is ever held to account, convicted and jailed. Compared to this, bumping a bicyle wheel in police eyes is risible, and something to be laughed about back at the police stationhouse. Our imagined rights here in the UK were laid to rest a very long time ago.
From Jack London

jack
mail e-mail: myboyjack@hotmail.com


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