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Launch of Autumn Campaign: What you can do

October 7th, 2011 | Add a Comment

LONDON LAUNCH OF AUTUMN CAMPAIGN, TUES 11th OCT, 7PM

“STAND UP FOR PROTESTERS” FORUM SUPPORTED BY NUS, UCU, ULU

Web event page: http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/stand-up-for-protesters-public-forum/586/ Fb http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=249975341712977&ref=ts

With updates and introductions from key campaigns, open discussion and organising. Nina Power – DTRTP & Justice for Alfie Meadows; Joe Sellers –Free Frank Fernie Campaign; Liam Burns –NUS President; Jody McIntyre – victim of police brutality; Fortnum & Masons occupier; Mark Campbell UCU NEC; Louise Christian & Mike Schwartz – campaigning lawyers; Jonnie Marbles – imprisoned for throwing a pie at Murdoch; Zita Holbourne PCS/ BARAC; Sara Tomlinson Brixton Defence Campaign/Stop Kettling Our Kids.

DEFEND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST NATIONAL UPDATE:

See below for key events and campaigns.

In the coming months a number of very important trials will take place of students and anti-cuts protesters. These include scores of students charged with “violent disorder” for their part in protesting and demonstrating against fees and the scrapping of EMA last Autumn, and UK UNcut activists who occupied the posh supermarket Fortnum & Masons to highlight tax evasion during the TUC “march for the Alternative”

This is a critical point for defending the right to protest. (see for example Matt Foots article “Get Protest in Perspective” in the Evening Standard this week http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23993788-get-protest-in-perspective-and-free-charlie-gilmour.do )

Last Autumn poll after poll showed the vast majority of the public supported the student protests. During the 500,000 strong TUC demonstration in March, UNITE Gen Sec Len McCluskey met with massive applause when he congratulated UK Uncut for the work they have done in effectively challenging the cuts “consensus”. In the coming weeks, this wide spread support needs to be translated into effective campaigning - to support all those individuals currently going through the courts and to begin to turn the tide on the wider process of intimidation and criminalisation of protest that is taking place.

2 weeks ago for example Birmingham UNi student union officer Ed Bauer was refused bail and spent 10 days in jail for the “crime” of taking part in a banner drop during the Lib Dems conference. He has since been released on bail, only to be suspended from his student union position. We are supporting the call for his suspension to be lifted as well as for the charges to be dropped in the run up to the court hearing on 31st Oct. (see http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/birmingham-student-leader-bailed-aafter-10-days-in-prison/596/)

These attacks clearly take place at time when the government here and across the world, face a growing protest movement against the cut backs. This week for example up to 700 protesters were mass arrested in New York in scenes not dissimilar to the Westminster bridge kettle on the 9th December anti-fees demonstration. In response thousands of people came out and demonstrated and the majority were released without charge.

The approach of the DTRTP campaign has always been that we best defend the right to protest by protesting. On the weekend 35,000 people took to the streets in Manchester to protest outside the Tory Party conference. This comes in the run up to a potential strike of 3 million public sector workers on 30th November.

Whilst the protest movement builds it is vital we make sure no protester is left behind. Below are a number of key campaigns we are asking you to support and things you can do to support Defend the Right to Protest. Please get involved in whatever way you can.

Key dates for the diary include:

1. LONDON LAUNCH OF AUTUMN CAMPAIGN, TUES 11th OCT, 7PM

“STAND UP FOR PROTESTERS” PUBLIC FORUM SUPPORTED BY NUS, UCU, ULU

Web event page: http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/stand-up-for-protesters-public-forum/586/

Fb event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=249975341712977&ref=ts

NOTE SPECIAL MEETING FOR LECTURERS & OTHER STAFF WORKING IN EDUCATION:

This meeting will be followed by a special meeting of UCU members and lecturers and university staff to discuss how we can organise support for arrested students. For more info email Nina Power ninapower@gmail.com

And see: http://defendtherighttoprotest.org/lecturers-defend-your-students/584/

2. SUPPORT FORTNUM & MASONS OCCUPIERS:

PROTEST: MONDAY 10th OCT, CITY OF WESTMINSTER COURT, 1pm

*NOTE NEW ADDRESS: 181 Marylebone Road, NW1 5HB, London,

Support UK UNCUT activists who took part in the peaceful occupation of Fortnum and Masons during the TUC March for the Alternative now up on charges of aggravated trespass. On the 10th of October, there will be a case hearing for this trial and for the 21 Spartaci (see below), come and show your support by joining us outside the court from 1pm.

I am Spartacus!
21 of those who had their cases ‘discontinued’ in July have recently announced “I AM SPARTACUS” by reviving their cases, demanding that either all the cases are dropped or everyone gets a fair trial! These 21 Spartaci are also being heard in court on the 10th October. We expect they will be officially found ‘Not Guilty’ whilst 30 others still face trial for the same charge at the same protest! And we thought this couldn’t get any more absurd!

Event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199623766774949

More info: http://fortnum145.org/

3. SUPPORT BRYAN SIMPSON and OTHER PROTESTERS THURS 13 OCT, 10AM, KINGSTON CROWN COURT

We are urging supporters to come and sit in public galleries to show support for protesters being sentenced on this day. For more about Bryan’s story go to www.defendbryansimpson.org

3. SUPPORT EDD BAUER: For more info go to the campaign website: http://bannerdropsarenotacrime.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/ed-bauer-bailed/ plus read “about the case” http://bannerdropsarenotacrime.wordpress.com/about-the-case/

What you can do:

1. Sign the petition in defence of Edd here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/reinstateeddbauer/

2. Email a message of protest to the President of the Guild and demand Edd’s reinstatement. president@guild.bham.ac.uk

3. Join the demonstration on 12th Oct: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178136495598416

For more information call us on 07775 763 7505.

4. WRITE TO IMPRISONED PROTESTERS:

Frank Fernie: convicted of violent disorder after the march 26 anti cuts demo in 2011. Sentenced to 1 year in prison. http://freefrankfernie.info

Frances Fernie A7663CE,

HMP/YOI Littlehey, Perry, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE2 80SR.

Ed Woolard: Sentenced to 18 months for dropping a fire extinguisher off the roof of millbank. http://support4edwoollard.wordpress.com/

Write to Edward

Email – writetoedwoollard@gmail.com
Or c/o
Chris Rawlinson,
Student Union
Brockenhurst College
Lyndhurst Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7ZE

5. BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE DTRTP CAMPAIGN:

You can organise a Defend the Right to Protest event or invite someone from the campaign to come and address your union/campaign/event. Please email info@defendtherighttoprotest.org

Are you able to make a donation to help with our campaigning? Please click the Paypal button on the side of this site.

5. ARE YOU A WITNESS? Were you on the student protests? Witnesses needed to events near the Treasury from about 5.30pm to 8.30pm on 9 December 2010. If you can help please get in touch with LDMG Email: ldmgmail@yahoo.co.uk