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ARE NETCU WASTING THEIR TIME? Report into political policing

(A)ction | 16.03.2007 01:39 | SOCPA | Animal Liberation | Anti-militarism | Social Struggles

Is international policing against the animal, earth and human rights movements working, or are NETCU just wasting their time?

Is international policing against the animal, earth and human rights movements working, or are NETCU just wasting their time?

In 2005, the Serious organised Crime and Police Act (SOCA) came into force in the UK outlawing actions which cause intimidation to those connected with animal research, make firms sever ties with vivisection establishments and creates the right for the police to arrest trespassers at many military sites and stops unauthorized demonstrations within Parliament Square. The National Extremism Tactical Co-Ordination Unit (NETCU) was formed alongside the introduction of SOCA to police the political campaigns.

A similar, but more comprehensive, piece of legislation was introduced in the USA, namely the Animal Enterprises Terrorism Act (AETA), which details how it is an offence to condemn any enterprise involved in the use of animals causing them to lose custom or revenue.

Raids have been conducted across the UK on over 20 residential premises, co-ordinated by national policing organisations, since SOCA was introduced. Those who chose to campaign to change public opinion have been heavily targeted and the act has been used to cover anti-fur demonstrations alledged to have caused harassment to a chain of clothing stores and stop protesters at RAF Menwith Hill.

So after all this time spent debating SOCA, AETA etc by politicians and global policing against campaigns; it wouldn't be surprising if you believed the movement against animal abuse, climate chaos and arms dealers would be no more. The media and many organisations who side with the government continuously paint an image that the movement is steadily dying - it began in the 70s and was just a fad. This couldn't be any further from the truth.

The number of demonstrations across the world in favour of animal rights has more than doubled - only a minority of these ever get press coverage. Actions by those who opt to work by night opposed to day have increased from a mere handful a week to an average of one every single night somewhere in the world. Campaigns against military establishments and arms dealers have gone up. EDO has also suffered its fair share of underground attacks. Anarchist uprisings are occuring on a regular basis - just take a glance at the riots in Copenhagen for one example. NETCU were present at the Climate Camp at Drax, but this hasn't stopped any actions against global warming.

Now you have read this report, ask yourself "Is international policing against the animal, earth and human rights movements working, or are NETCU just wasting their time?

Please note that this report is for reading purposes only and was not produced to encourage or incite anyone to break the law.

(A)ction

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