Jaya Sacca, a long term peace activist was remanded in Lewes Prison this afternoon (JULY 14TH) by District Judge Arnold. On Wednesday 13th July he was ‘arrested’ and handcuffed by members of Guardian Security hired by arms dealers EDO MBM.
He was ‘detained’ by the security firm for allegedly stepping onto the road which constitutes the ‘no protest zone’. At the time no police were at the scene. Mr Sacca is also alleged to have assaulted one of the security guards when four of them ‘arrested’ him as attempted to leave the area.
The terms of the injunction as enforced by Sussex Police mean that it is illegal for protestors to film the security guards no matter what the provocation. One protester has already been remanded in Lewes Prison by Judge Arnold for four days for attempting to film Guardian Security.
Andrew Beckett press spokesman for the campaign said:
“This is a direct attack on our right to protest. In a democratic country how can a private security force be allowed to handcuff members of the public on the public highway? They are unaccountable to anyone. When the police arrest someone there are procedures for complaint and redress, with these untrained hired goons there is nothing. They constantly video us, except when they want to break the law- We must have the right to video the security personnel. EDO MBM are once more trying to enforce the injunction they would like rather than the one they have got.”
Support Demo for Jaya Sacca outside Lewes Prison 4pm Friday 15th
The same security guards were present today as EDO/MBM employees conducted a two minute silence for the victims of London’s bombings. Protesters on the scene who attempted to hold a vigil for all victims of bombing were intimidated into leaving by Guardian Security.
Andrew Beckett said “We are in a situation where a private security firm can make allegations which lead to imprisonment without any possibility of us gathering evidence to counter their lies and fabrications. We were unable to confront the hypocrisy of bomb makers holding a vigil for bomb victims. ”
SMASH EDO urge all those who are against the arms trade and for freedom of speech to join them on the regular Wednesday demo between 4 and 6.
The terms of the injunction as enforced by Sussex Police mean that it is illegal for protestors to film the security guards no matter what the provocation. One protester has already been remanded in Lewes Prison by Judge Arnold for four days for attempting to film Guardian Security.
Andrew Beckett press spokesman for the campaign said:
“This is a direct attack on our right to protest. In a democratic country how can a private security force be allowed to handcuff members of the public on the public highway? They are unaccountable to anyone. When the police arrest someone there are procedures for complaint and redress, with these untrained hired goons there is nothing. They constantly video us, except when they want to break the law- We must have the right to video the security personnel. EDO MBM are once more trying to enforce the injunction they would like rather than the one they have got.”
Support Demo for Jaya Sacca outside Lewes Prison 4pm Friday 15th
The same security guards were present today as EDO/MBM employees conducted a two minute silence for the victims of London’s bombings. Protesters on the scene who attempted to hold a vigil for all victims of bombing were intimidated into leaving by Guardian Security.
Andrew Beckett said “We are in a situation where a private security firm can make allegations which lead to imprisonment without any possibility of us gathering evidence to counter their lies and fabrications. We were unable to confront the hypocrisy of bomb makers holding a vigil for bomb victims. ”
SMASH EDO urge all those who are against the arms trade and for freedom of speech to join them on the regular Wednesday demo between 4 and 6.
