There is a call-out for people to come down to the next RECLAIM YOUR FOOD
in Brixton on SUNDAY 9TH MARCH approx 3pm.
This free food and info giveaway has been coming under increasing attack from the local cops. Last week two people were arrested for failing to disperse under a spuriously argued Dispersal Order.
SUNDAY 9TH MARCH approx 3pm
BRIXTON TOWN SQUARE
opp BRIXTON LIBRARY
Bring food to share. Instruments. Sound Systems. Practical Social
Activities. Or just yourself!! All welcome
There follows a more in depth report:
People taking part in Brixton's Reclaim Your Food weekly action faced
arrest on Sunday (2nd March 2008 ) as they challenged the legitimacy of a
Dispersal Order issued by the Lambeth branch of the Metropolitan Police.
The weekly vegan open picnic has recently faced growing repression from
Police and consistent support in the community. Police (which constituted
a mix of PCs, CSOs and higher-ranking officers) were waiting for the
collective before they even arrived. They came equipped with a mobile
surveillance van, 2 regular Police vans and 2 Police cars.
Disproportionate? Make up your own mind...
The first arrest came as a result of a refusal to comply with the
Dispersal Order placed upon the group, the second for attempting to
establish the legal basis for such an arrest. The Dispersal Order, made
possible by the controversial Anti-Social Behaviour Act, was issued in
response to an alleged Section 5 Public Order offence - defined as causing
harassment, distress or alarm. However, when questioned, the Police failed
to provide adequate evidence to suggest that such an offence was taking
place. What followed was a series of convoluted and dubious explanations
as to why they had reason to believe an offence was being committed:
1) By giving out free food, a climate was being created that enabled
drug-dealing - which in itself could promote harassment, distress and/or
alarm. Case Law contradicts the use of this Public Order law 'by proxy'
(as it were) and it has previously been ruled that if a Section 5 offence
is being comitted, it is unlawful to arrest anyone other than the alleged
perpetrator of the offence.
2) "Local Businesses" - such as the nearby McDonalds & KFC restaraunts -
were claiming that the actions of the collective were inhibiting their
ability to make a profit. No law that explicitly states the interests of
said businesses are to take precedent over the interests of the other
parties involved was invoked. However, it's hardly a shocking revelation
that profit comes before people.
3) The concentration of Brixton's drug users and dealers in Brixton Town
Square, allegedly as a result of the Reclaim Your Food collective's
project, was making the 'problem' more difficult to Police. This isn't
even worthy of a witty retort.
Thankfully, the long arm of the law did not stretch to the Bicycle Repair
Workshop or those making Puncture Repair Kits and Wallets from recycled
and sustainable materials. These were welcome additions to the Town
Square, which was reclaimed as a fully-functional public space for
all...with room for a bit of a dance to the chilled reggae/dub
soundsystem!
Despite all the Police intimidation and generally not fantastic weather, a
good time was had by most people who turned up or happened to be passing
by!
Sunday's events also demonstrate the power of solidarity and engagement
with the community, after Police abandoned initial threats to arrest
everyone present because they thought those involved had 'learnt their
lesson' and would not be back the next week. This, of course, had nothing
to do with the logistical difficulties that would've arisen from arresting
up to 50+ people with limited resources - and having to justify that to
the largely supportive members of the public present...honest, sarge!
There were many people on hand to photograph and film the behaviour of the
Police and to record the identity numbers of the officers involved. The
action was not only fully completed and largely unimpeded by Police
intervention but also took to the streets afterwards, marching to Brixton
Police Station and standing in solidarity with the two arrestees. The
Reclaim Your Food banner was unfurled accross the Metropolitan Police logo
at the front of the station, generating public interest and support. Tea
and Biscuits were also on offer, giving the whole proceeding an
uncharacteristically twee vibe!
Many Brixton residents approached the collective, sharing their own
experiences of dealing with Police intimidation and brutality. Whilst this
may appear incredibly doom-and-gloom, the atmosphere was more conducive to
a sense of mutual support and a desire to challenge the state apparatus
than of feeling downtrodden or apathetic, which left many people feeling
positive about the possiblity of resisting the ever-creeping Police state.
The collectives involved in Sunday's action are keen to welcome anyone who
is interested in any aspect of the project to come along. The project will
continure to meet at Brixton Town Square (by Coldharbour Lane, opposite
the Ritzy Cinema) from around 2/3pm every Sunday. The town square is well
on it's way to being a free public space, for anyone to use. This does not
figure in the plans of the Police and Local Government, who are intent on
seeing through gentrification of the area. Let's show them whose streets
they really are!
Video and Report: http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/392723.html
in Brixton on SUNDAY 9TH MARCH approx 3pm.
This free food and info giveaway has been coming under increasing attack from the local cops. Last week two people were arrested for failing to disperse under a spuriously argued Dispersal Order.
SUNDAY 9TH MARCH approx 3pm
BRIXTON TOWN SQUARE
opp BRIXTON LIBRARY
Bring food to share. Instruments. Sound Systems. Practical Social
Activities. Or just yourself!! All welcome
There follows a more in depth report:
People taking part in Brixton's Reclaim Your Food weekly action faced
arrest on Sunday (2nd March 2008 ) as they challenged the legitimacy of a
Dispersal Order issued by the Lambeth branch of the Metropolitan Police.
The weekly vegan open picnic has recently faced growing repression from
Police and consistent support in the community. Police (which constituted
a mix of PCs, CSOs and higher-ranking officers) were waiting for the
collective before they even arrived. They came equipped with a mobile
surveillance van, 2 regular Police vans and 2 Police cars.
Disproportionate? Make up your own mind...
The first arrest came as a result of a refusal to comply with the
Dispersal Order placed upon the group, the second for attempting to
establish the legal basis for such an arrest. The Dispersal Order, made
possible by the controversial Anti-Social Behaviour Act, was issued in
response to an alleged Section 5 Public Order offence - defined as causing
harassment, distress or alarm. However, when questioned, the Police failed
to provide adequate evidence to suggest that such an offence was taking
place. What followed was a series of convoluted and dubious explanations
as to why they had reason to believe an offence was being committed:
1) By giving out free food, a climate was being created that enabled
drug-dealing - which in itself could promote harassment, distress and/or
alarm. Case Law contradicts the use of this Public Order law 'by proxy'
(as it were) and it has previously been ruled that if a Section 5 offence
is being comitted, it is unlawful to arrest anyone other than the alleged
perpetrator of the offence.
2) "Local Businesses" - such as the nearby McDonalds & KFC restaraunts -
were claiming that the actions of the collective were inhibiting their
ability to make a profit. No law that explicitly states the interests of
said businesses are to take precedent over the interests of the other
parties involved was invoked. However, it's hardly a shocking revelation
that profit comes before people.
3) The concentration of Brixton's drug users and dealers in Brixton Town
Square, allegedly as a result of the Reclaim Your Food collective's
project, was making the 'problem' more difficult to Police. This isn't
even worthy of a witty retort.
Thankfully, the long arm of the law did not stretch to the Bicycle Repair
Workshop or those making Puncture Repair Kits and Wallets from recycled
and sustainable materials. These were welcome additions to the Town
Square, which was reclaimed as a fully-functional public space for
all...with room for a bit of a dance to the chilled reggae/dub
soundsystem!
Despite all the Police intimidation and generally not fantastic weather, a
good time was had by most people who turned up or happened to be passing
by!
Sunday's events also demonstrate the power of solidarity and engagement
with the community, after Police abandoned initial threats to arrest
everyone present because they thought those involved had 'learnt their
lesson' and would not be back the next week. This, of course, had nothing
to do with the logistical difficulties that would've arisen from arresting
up to 50+ people with limited resources - and having to justify that to
the largely supportive members of the public present...honest, sarge!
There were many people on hand to photograph and film the behaviour of the
Police and to record the identity numbers of the officers involved. The
action was not only fully completed and largely unimpeded by Police
intervention but also took to the streets afterwards, marching to Brixton
Police Station and standing in solidarity with the two arrestees. The
Reclaim Your Food banner was unfurled accross the Metropolitan Police logo
at the front of the station, generating public interest and support. Tea
and Biscuits were also on offer, giving the whole proceeding an
uncharacteristically twee vibe!
Many Brixton residents approached the collective, sharing their own
experiences of dealing with Police intimidation and brutality. Whilst this
may appear incredibly doom-and-gloom, the atmosphere was more conducive to
a sense of mutual support and a desire to challenge the state apparatus
than of feeling downtrodden or apathetic, which left many people feeling
positive about the possiblity of resisting the ever-creeping Police state.
The collectives involved in Sunday's action are keen to welcome anyone who
is interested in any aspect of the project to come along. The project will
continure to meet at Brixton Town Square (by Coldharbour Lane, opposite
the Ritzy Cinema) from around 2/3pm every Sunday. The town square is well
on it's way to being a free public space, for anyone to use. This does not
figure in the plans of the Police and Local Government, who are intent on
seeing through gentrification of the area. Let's show them whose streets
they really are!
Video and Report: http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/392723.html
