Brian Haw violently assaulted then arrested at downing street

[Ghost Dog]

I searched but didn't find this one anywhere in DU, so I'm posting here now (news dated Jan 12) to keep people informed about the effects of current '* policy' in the UK. Apologies if already posted somewhere - worth repeating, anyway, I thought. Much information, updates and video in the comments at the link.

This from (non-copyright) indymedia uk (but note that the photo (at link) is copyright (note: nuj or NUJ is the UK's National Union of Journalists)).

Link: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/389308.html

... a number of people were milling around the road outside downing street where a group of around a dozen had laid down with linked arms in the road.

without warnings the territorial support group moved in and began violently pushing and man-handling people to the pavement. one young woman was grabbed round the throat and dragged. others were pushed from behind. brian was moving backwards towards the pavement with a camera to his face when officer U1019 lunged at him deliberately and without provocation. the blow was aimed directly at brian's face and pushed his camera into his cheek causing a deep wound.

shortly afterwards, brian was snatched from the crowd and taken to a police van, from which witnesses heard him screaming. after several minutes he was dragged out of the van looking very alarmed and frightened, and taken to another cell van where he was driven to belgravia police station.

supporters there are worried for his safety, but after an hour of no news, they were told that he was being taken to see the prison doctor. there are concerns about his treatment during that hour.

steve jago, on seeing the snatch, pushed forward to try to help brian, but was immediately pounced on by four heavy tsg thugs who violently dragged him to the ground, sat on him, and aggressively hand-cuffed him before apparently arresting him for an unknown offence.

in an afternoon of filming, at no time did i see a single act of violence towards the police from the peaceful protestors, and yet police used completely disproportionate and aggressive tactics to disperse and control peaceful sit-downs and blockades. i saw a 61 year old woman being dragged without any heed for 'health and safety' and dumped on the pavement. another elderly man was thrown over his bicycle (despite having recently had an accident leaving him in considerable pain)

there were several other arrests this afternoon, mainly for obstruction and public order offences. one person was arrested for 'organising an unauthorised protest'

attached photo was taken by nuj journalist terence bunch and remains his copyright although he has kindly allowed publication here - for any commercial usgae please contact him via
www.terencebunch.co.uk

[Ghost Dog]

1. I'd never heard of this "Territorial Support Group" as such,

but now I know who they are (read, like, SWAT): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_Support_Group

Although public order is not the TSG's only role, it is certainly their most visible and well-known. Like most Police Support Unit vehicles, TSG vans are equipped with mesh window shields and officers are equipped with acrylic glass riot shields, visored 'NATO' helmets, shin and elbow guards and fireproof coveralls. This level of protection allows them to deal with many violent situations, including riots, football violence and violent suspects armed with a variety of weapons. TSG officers are trained to a higher standard of operational readiness in their public order role than most other Police Support Units, TSG training is refreshed every five weeks of an officer's career. Exercises are conducted predominantly at Gravesend in Kent, though other sites are used as required, and encompass all public order scenarios; officers will undergo extensive riot training including being petrol bombed in large scale engagements, prison clearance tactics, football stadium scenarios, night club scenarios, aircraft, rail and various 'angry-man' scenarios, as well as additional specialist training. TSG units spend considerable time training with other specialist police (SFO) teams as well as certain military units. TSG performs many of the roles that SWAT/Emergency Service Units (ESUs) in the United States would perform.

Borough support

The TSG provides support to regular divisional officers through high-visibility patrols, pro-active targeting and assault of suspects whether guilty or not, surveillance and decoy operations and providing a menacing presence on the streets. Boroughs are also supported through the provision of a 'Commissioner's Reserve' a section of TSG that is on standby 24/7/365 to be called out anywhere in the Metropolis to quel public order problems, be it violent bar brawl or large scale public disorder. Day to day TSG assist the boroughs in handling and relocating particularly violent prisoners.

Terrorism response

TSG is equipped and trained to deal with the aftermath of a terrorism emergency in London, and the unit includes a dedicated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear) team. Working closely with SO13 (the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch) TSG also has considerable counter-terrorism responsibilities.

--> Obviously just the job for the situation outside Downing Street described above :sarcasm:

edit: nb. For those not yet aware of Brian's peaceful protest since 2 June 2001 outside the UK's parliament, see here: http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/