Proof: the police are not here to protect us

Delkaetre · 04-07-2009, 01:28 PM

I had intended to stay away from the boards for a while, but this was simply too much, I had to post and share.
The politically motivated, those who often go to demos, and those in the UK will find this of particular interest.

The Guardian newspaper (UK) has footage of police attacking Ian Tomlinson, the man who died during the G20 protests in London on Wednesday. The police had previously stated that they had no contact with him, and claimed when he was seen to be lying on the ground that they immediately tried to send paramedics to him, only to be attacked by the crowd.
Now, footage of their prior contact with him- going for his knees with a baton as he walks away from them, hands in pockets, carrying no bags or rucksacks, making no attempts to threaten them. He continues to walk away, and is forced violently to the ground. He appears dazed when someone helps him sit up, and the police make no effort to communicate with him or check his condition.

I notice several cameras in the footage, and hope that someone managed to get good, high-res photos of the police involved so that they may be identified and properly dealt with. I'm also hoping, given recent laws in relation to photographs or recordings of police, that the cameras were not confiscated, the pictures were not deleted, and that this footage will not be removed.

Please note- Mr Tomlinson is at no point violent, the crowd situation is not a violent one, and the police are not riot police. These are street corner coppers, the sort you should be able to ask for directions or help.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/ap...police-assault

TL;DR - police attack harmless bystander during protest, protester dies ten minutes later, police deny all knowledge of anything, get caught out by footage proving them to be filthy liars.

Malice In Wonderland · 04-07-2009, 02:10 PM

I'm not surprised.
Also I know people that were at that protest.

Godslayer Jillian · 04-07-2009, 02:10 PM

This reminds me of a picture a friend took in Washington.
They marched against the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the prison-industrial complex, racism, capitalism, and other things. The ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation were among the biggest groups in there and it also happened in New York and Los Angeles. Big protest.
Anyway, one of the pictures was so perfectly cool. On one side you see hundreds and hundreds of people, especially women, with picket signs and banners. On the other side you see a phalanx of riot police blocking the way to a bank. That says a lot about who the cops are defending.

Delkaetre · 04-07-2009, 02:43 PM

Jillian, have a look at http://pennyred.blogspot.com
She's useful, providing plenty of links to back up whatever she says in the blog, and offering a nice Angry Young Leftist-Feminist viewpoint without being man-hating.

KontanKarite · 04-07-2009, 03:56 PM

Penny Red! One of my favorite women.

Bonquisha Brown · 04-08-2009, 12:25 AM

How awful! He wasn't even a protester, the police have absolutely no excuse for this misuse of power. On that note, even if he was a protester, the police have no right to violently shove this man to the ground. *sigh* and these are the men who are supposed to protect us.

Madarame · 04-08-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonquisha Brown

these are the men who are supposed to protect us.

The police have never been there to protect us. While there are undoubtedly individuals in the police force who have joined with that intention the police force as a whole is little more than the defender of capitalism.

I really can't say I'm surprised by this incident, didn't expect it to happen to somebody not protesting while there were cameras about though.

CptSternn · 04-08-2009, 01:01 AM

Police suck, around the world. It doesn't matter if you live in a third world or first world country, police always abuse their power.

In the US/UK you have an even more disturbing trend which started back in the 80's and has continued through today. A majority of police are ex-military. These days, Iraq/Afghanistan are training grounds for the next police recruits. They are being trained in these situations which lead to extremely violent behaviours along with other undesirable traits being brought along with them when they do make the transition.

The US/UK soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan wouldn't think twice about beating a civilian if they wanted to. That same mentality is now being applied to citizens in their own country, and the governments seem too willing to encourage this sort of thing and shield anyone who engages in such activity.

We saw it at various protests throughout America over the past few years, protesters beaten, rounded up, arrested without charge, and beaten again.

We see it in the UK.

We even see it in Ireland, where police are being used to protect private corporations who have hired the local police to do their own bidding.

The bottom line is, police are no longer viewed as a group to call when your in trouble, these days, people around the world fear the police and have nothing nice to say about them, for good reason.

Raptor · 04-08-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delkaetre

I'm also hoping, given recent laws in relation to photographs or recordings of police, that the cameras were not confiscated, the pictures were not deleted, and that this footage will not be removed.

I almost forgot about that...

Awful as this is, did it actually lead to his death? The lying and attack on an unarmed civilian need to be dealt with of course.

JCC · 04-08-2009, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

I almost forgot about that...

Awful as this is, did it actually lead to his death? The lying and attack on an unarmed civilian need to be dealt with of course.

Indirectly. The guy had a heart attack shortly afterwards; if you've got a bad heart and you're in a very stressful situation like being surrounded and attacked by violent riot police...

viscus · 04-08-2009, 07:41 AM

I wouldn't paint all policemen with the same brush, but this is some pretty fucked up shit and it happens far too often.

Drake Dun · 04-08-2009, 09:16 AM

The police aren't there to protect you. They're there to protect the system. Fortunately, there are many cases in which protecting the system means protecting you. Too bad about those other cases though, eh?

Godslayer Jillian · 04-08-2009, 09:33 AM

Forgive me for quoting a punk musician, but Stza put it very concisely when he said
"You see, there are people who believe that the function of the police is to fight crime, and that's not true; the function of the police is social control, and the protection of property."

Delkaetre · 04-08-2009, 11:09 AM

The particular bit of PennyRed that I'd encourage people to read (in relation to this, at least) is this post- http://pennyred.blogspot.com/2009/04/fuck.html#comments
I'm not sure if I can make it to the Bethnal Green gathering, but I'd like to.
This is my country. These are my people. It is my future that is being affected. I know it's a selfish viewpoint, but I don't want to share my country and my people and my future with thugs who will actively and maliciously attack these three things. I wish I had a better method of keeping my temper from showing so that I could have a chance in politics.

Kontan, I'm glad you like her stuff- did I introduce you to it, or did you come across it on your own? If you found it independently, do let me know how- it would be nice to pass on such information to her, let her know she's read around the world.

The Donor · 04-08-2009, 11:47 AM

Imagine a world without police. Not a world I'd like to live in, regardless of the corruption and unjust violence.

JCC · 04-08-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Donor

Imagine a world without police. Not a world I'd like to live in, regardless of the corruption and unjust violence.

A compassionate community should do all of the things that police do and more; they just do it with big sticks.

Alarica · 04-08-2009, 02:24 PM

This was the result of a few officers abusing their power, not the entire force. And whereas I have my own issues with the police, I do believe there are some who actually do their job properly. But this kind of shit happens more often than not, it's just that it never reaches the media. Awful that a family lost a loved one, and a child lost his dad, but perhaps the fact this was caught on film will shake up the police force. I doubt it, but I can dream.

Asmoday · 04-09-2009, 12:04 AM

At least it looks like someone took notice - this was released a few hours ago:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...on/7990423.stm

Godslayer Jillian · 04-09-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Donor

Imagine a world without police.

It baffles me that you say it with fright.

Opteron_Man · 04-09-2009, 01:09 AM

I wonder what really holds the world together? It sure ain't the police that do it.
What keeps it all from tearing itself apart and bubbling over I ask you?

JCC · 04-09-2009, 05:18 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/f...ith-baton.html

More footage clearly showing that he was struck with a baton. It will be interesting to see how the IPCC brushes this under the carpet.

Alarica · 04-09-2009, 06:43 AM

I read yesterday that an officer has identified himself as possibly being part of those responsible for hitting the bloke. Atleast he's had the grace to admit he was part of it, which is something. The problem is we dont know what was said. If he was verbally challenging the police at the cordon, or if the police were just being cunts. It's pretty fucking obvious that you dont try to cross a police cordon though even if you have a legitimate reason 'on the way home'. The street was closed off for a reason. It's good the son has said whereas they shouldnt had attacked his dad, they cant be sure that the attack caused his death. It'll be interesting to know what the outcome is. Were they actual coppers or plastic police?

JCC · 04-09-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alarica

It's pretty fucking obvious that you dont try to cross a police cordon though even if you have a legitimate reason 'on the way home'. The street was closed off for a reason.

Even if he was in the cordon, which he probably wasn't since a cordon keeps people in and out so I don't see how he would make his way in, that's no excuse.

Alarica · 04-09-2009, 07:02 AM

Nope, I know. There is no possible excuse they can have for what they did. He wasn't brandishing a weapon, he certainly didnt look hostile either. I know our police force are over worked, and occasions like that they will call officers in to work when they ought to be having time off for working a week or 2 solid. As they do for football games. It isnt helping them when police officers do this, when they are trying to gain respect from the public.

The Donor · 04-09-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godslayer Jillian

It baffles me that you say it with fright.

There was no fear in that. I mean, actually think about how shit things would be without some kind of authority. Theft and violent crimes would spiral out of control. That is not something I'd like to see. More power to the authority I say.