Sweatshop, or sweat factory is a term used to described bad working conditions considered unacceptably difficult or dangerous. These are places were employees are subjected to abuse from their employers. These people are forced to put up with his, to pay for their families needs, which is incredibly difficult to do at disgustingly minimum wages, some companies that endorse the use of sweatshops, such as NIKE, Primark and Addidas use these means to obtain simple clothing. These companies deny the use of sweatshops and deny the unfair treatment of workers, yet these companies still manage to sell well despite being exposed. Why is this?

Why do companies not get shut down for using these harmful methods for their products? Why do these companies not get punished for this? These companies manage to sell well because of how gullible the population is. How we still manage to  buy from these thieving criminals despite the fact that we have been told about the exploitation of these workers is beyond imaginable. We often tend to be naive and we don’t think about the people manufacturing the clothes, we don’t care about where the clothing came from, and we certainly don’t seem to care whether or not these people are fairly paid?

Another topic related to these companies is child labour, child labour has also been used by these companies. In still developing countries, a shocking 30% of children are involved in child labour, many of which who are in sweat shops, most of which are operated by the clothing companies we are aware of. 126 million children are involved in child labour, which is just horrifying, these children should be in school, not being jammed into sweatshops making clothing items day in and day out for disgustingly low minimum wages. Is this method really necessary?

Sweatshop workers earn as little as a half  to a quarter  of what they need to provide for basic nutrition, shelter, energy, clothing, education and transportation. Despite working hard and long throughout the day, these workers are ill-treated and do this for no little reward. The U.S. government often gives foreign aid to those same countries whose poverty is directly linked to exploitation by US businesses operating abroad, what this means is that the U.S. government is trying to pay the governments more so that more people will be exploited.

These companies are all doing this in the least developed countries. This is because they can get away with the poor treatment of workers, and so they can save money paying people less rather than having to pay people larger wages in the more developed countries. In the more developed countries, such as England, America and the whole of Europe, the unfair treatment of workers would be hard to achieve.

But how can we stop this? How can we make the lives of these people better? We can do this by boycotting these companies, instead of buying from these manipulating corporations you can instead buy from cheaper, more reliable and local sources. We CAN make these peoples lives better, by boycotting these companies until they stop exploiting people. We CAN help these people make enough money by setting up charities to help poor people in lesser developed countries. We CAN destroy this harmful method altogether, if we start investigating these companies and if we simply stop endorsing them.

OTC

If you have decided to take part in this action here are some suggestions on closing the station.  Its important that you think about security.  For example allow one person from your affinity group to know the location of the station.   Do not discuss the action online or via mobile phones.  Its best to discuss face to face.  Think about how you will get your message out? Have you identified members of your group to take pictures and get the message out online?

ACTION CALL OUT FOR 8th OF FEB

So now you have identified your target. Find a local station near you

1) Do a recce prior to the action, get pictures.  Look at possible ways onto the roof.  Most Shell Petrol Stations are built in exactly the same style.  A small ladder will help you access the roof, sometimes this isn’t neede

2)             How long do you plan to stay there?  If you are staying overnight make sure that you have enough supplies and warm clothes.  Think also about shelter a small pop up tent can be helpful in this scenario.

3)             Make banners here are some examples of banners

4)             Remember to always mask up, there is no doubt that this action will be under surveillance from the MET police or the local police of the area your action is taking place.  Do not allow yourself to be recorded in any way by the police.

5)             Arrest is possible for aggravated trespass, therefore think about this before taking part, if you do then decide to take part, I would suggest writing the name of a good solicitor on your arm in permanent marker.  I use HODGE ALLEN AND JONES. 07659 111 192

6)             Consider how you will resist any attempts to remove you.  Will you use lock ons or D Locks? Maybe even a tripod.

Lastly, do have fun and see you all on the streets, if you want to be involved with a London protest, please email occupyoil@riseup.net

Read about the Shell to Sea Campaign here

Rosa Parks refused to move seat on a bus because of the colour of her skin, this was December 1955.  It sparked waves of civil disobedience; it could be argued that this inspired civil rights movements across the globe.

A few months back I was dismayed to see that Occupy London Stock exchange stopped using the Transport for London logo because Transport for London threatened legal action.  At the time it really annoyed me to see the Occupation conform to the request.  Despite this and including being upset at the removal of anti-capitalist banners, I will continue to support the protest.

In many ways I have no choice, already having been lumped in with the 99%, here is my 99c worth.  To walk away will fail to highlight what levels this state will go to silence protest.  Certainly look for another site, but make a stand. Don’t get off the bus, the Suffragettes didn’t do as they were told, had they have know their ‘place, what sort of country would we have been in today?

This certainly not a new thing in London, this morning Climate Camp have had their High Court Judgement overturned.  The Police had been found to have acted illegally in kettling peaceful protesters, who had occupied Bishops Gate in the heart of the City in 2009.  You can watch the video of peaceful protesters being beaten by police, as they chanted this is not a riot.

Since Occupy London Stock Exchange lost their case at the Royal Courts of Justice, there has been much debate about the next move.  Resist the eviction or walk away. There has been concern that to resist will mean violence from activists.   I don’t believe that is necessarily true.

Many people want this to remain a peaceful protest; no one to my knowledge is suggesting otherwise, the only threat of violence comes from the Metropolitan and City police.  In fact, the only people to have engaged in violence at this protest have been the Metropolitan Police.  The potential for violence was so great that the then Dean Giles Frazer had to intervene.  Our right to engage in non violence civil disobedience should not be denied by those who would seek to use the threat of violence.

Resist & Occupy, No Pasaran

Pictures may only be used by activist groups, any commercial use contact skywarrior@riseup.net

“Where the hell are all those TSG going?”  Counting initially at least 11 vans of TSG descending on Parliament Square, in tow, two Forward Intelligence Teams, The usual suspects included Gavin Paul and a few other familiar faces.  This was total policing at its best, or worst, delete as appropriate.  They were here to remove the peace camp set up by Brian Haw.  This peace camp that was initially set up to oppose the Iraq war and the foreign policies of the UK and USA.

We had been in the middle of an unplanned small reunion of activists from Democracy Village.  Occasionally our paths cross, and we all tell stories of our latest adventures.   We had no idea what was to follow, to say it was a shock to see that amount of police for a few peaceniks was an understatement.

I had mixed emotions watching the encampment being taken away, this was my introduction to activism.  I had become involved with Democracy Village by chance or fate, who knows?

After a short time at Democracy Village I became aware of the underlying problems.   I was verbally abused on number of occasions by the activists at one of the camps.  I try to ignore it best I could at the time.  I continue to try and adapt that approach.  The choice is to feed it or starve it; I am choosing to starve it.

Brian Haw is someone to be admired, having spent over 9 years on a roundabout, facing the powerhouse of politics that is the Houses of Parliament.  On a number of occasions the powers that be tried to remove him, they were unsuccessful.  The activist world needs to stand behind Maria as she continues this fight to have a presence of peace campaigners in Parliament Square.  This government wants the protest movement forever silenced. Some believe that protest will be banned in London during the up and coming Olympics.

That’s why I will continue to support the peace protesters.  The best thing we can do for Brian Haw’s memory is to join this fight and make sure that a presence continues in the square.

Yesterday the Peace Strike campaign got a small first victory; the new laws being introduced are going to be tested in court.  That encampment is safe until the 20^th of March.  ( Read Rikki’s full report on Indymedia )

For me the positive aspect of last night was the turn out by activists at short notice, within an hour there were over 30 activists, legal observers and press on the scene.  Quite a few activists had been attending the talk by Bernard Hogan-Howe on total policing, at London School of Economics.  During that speech to the gathered audience, was he aware of this attack on democracy and the demolition of the longest peace vigil in the UK?   This isn’t just an attack on the Parliament Square protesters; this is an attack on us all. Many believe this is linked to the Olympics in some way. Whether or not that is true, it certainly doesn’t bode well for the rest of the year.

It is within the interests of the state to have us fighting with each other and to cause distrust within the activist community. I believe the attack on one camp at Parliament Square last night was a further attempt to cause division, distrust and suspicion.  We can’t allow them to win.  We are bigger than that, the great fear of those who want to divide us, is that we will be united.  The people united will never be defeated.

Part I

It’s 7am, and I’m sitting atop a bizarre scaffold-and-wood structure gently sipping a cup of steaming hot coffee. Also, I’m shitting myself in terror. Advancing across the field towards me are 200 riot cops, marching in ranks like a Roman Legion. I’ve been an Activist for quite a while now, been in many situations with the Her Majesty’s Constabulary before, but this is the first time I’ve felt this kind of ice cold terror.

I’d arrived at Dale Farm late the night before, stumbling bleary eyed into the dark camp. With me was my protest buddy, Tinkerbell. We’d only got the emergency callout text a few hours before, so had come quickly, ill prepared.

Once in “Camp Constant” I ran into several old friends. Hot coffee, a sandwich, catching up, then on to serious business. Those defending Dale Farm (Travellers and Activists alike) were divided into four groups, depending on the quarter of the camp they were going to defend. I chose my group and had a quick chat, then settled down by the fire for a sleepless night of nervous anticipation and Jaffa Cakes.

Morning gong was at 6am, despite the fact the bailiffs had told us they wouldn’t be entering until 8am. My team repared to go to the afore mentioned scaffold tower to discuss plans, backup plans and backup plans. We really didn’t have a clue what to expect, but we didn’t expect the 200 riot cops with tower shields advancing towards us in eerie silence.

Activists raised the alarm, and before the Police had breached the perimeter, a motley crew of around 70 Travellers and Activists were arrayed against them. People started throwing stones and bricks over the fence towards the cops, several of whom had begun hacking at the fence with axes. Soon enough, despite the best efforts of the defenders. They created a gap only just large enough to let them through one at a time. In order to push people back from this breach they fired off two tasers, hitting one man in the back as he attempted to flee.

Now the cops were on site the defenders changed tack. People begun locking on to barricades and other defenders began fetching re-enforced banners and shields, forming an impromptu shield wall facing the rather more disciplined police line. The whole thing started to look like a medieval battle.

The Police’s progress onto site slowed as they met with determined resistance from the defender’s shield wall. Several activists commented afterwards that there’s nothing like having a mother with a crying baby behind you, trying to pack her things and gather her kids to safety to give you fire in the belly.

The cops advanced, using round shields as skirmishers to drive people back, and tower shields to establish strong lines. They really were brutal, at one point trapping a Traveller and mother of three between their shields and a wall, battering her until she collapsed and then stamping on her back, fracturing it and putting her in hospital. At another point, a hippy type sat down in front of the advancing police line. Big mistake, He got out of hospital a few days later, I think.

Eventually they pushed their way to the main gate, where people were locked on underneath an old Soviet truck, right in the path of the Police. I and several other people tried to warn them of the lock-ons, trying to calm them down and prevent them crushing the prone protesters. We received a heavy beating for our pains.

Most remaining activists then mounted the 40ft scaffold tower over the main gate, and the situation calmed into a standoff that lasted the rest of the day. Some protesters and Travellers retreated away from the gate, set burning barricades and pelted the police, who were in control of roughly a quarter of the site.

People were also locked on underneath the tower, underneath the Soviet truck and further up, on a barricade inside the site. We watched as the Police violently cleared away all people around the lock-ons, including their “Guardian Angels” (supporters who’s only role is to look out for the welfare of the locked on person, negotiate for them, etc), and created a sterile zone around the tower. Finally, the bailiffs entered site in order to remove those protesters who were locked on ground level. I will never forget sitting impotently, watching them attempt to remove a young woman, locked to the front gate by both her arm and neck. That scum attempted to choke her, break her arm and then, incredibly, tried to remove a d-lock from around her neck using a standard power drill. I could hardly watch, especially since that young woman was a friend of mine. I was sure I was going to see her killed. It got so violent that the Police eventually stepped in and removed the bailiffs around her. She was eventually removed and arrested some 25hrs after first locking on. She was kicked and punched several times by bailiffs, and has some interesting bruises to show for it.

Now came the turn of people on the scaffold tower. A Police climbing team moved in, briefly (and politely) spoke to the people on the tower, and then left, promising to return in half an hour. In reality it was more like 2 hours. When they did, there was no politeness left. One person was tapered several times while locked on, and had to be treated in hospital for shock. Several others were punched or kicked.

All were removed after spending around 6 hours in the freezing wind, 40ft up on the tower

Part II

That night was bizarre. Three men turned up, professing to be Travellers from a site up North, having driven the whole day to get to the Farm. They worried people because they were loud (with Belfast accents), thuggish and very drunk. Oddly, they also claimed to be Real IRA, singing Irish Rebel songs, and threatening to bring the wrath of Ardoyne down on anyone who displeased them (which seemed to be everyone). Now I’ve met people who have connections with the Irish Armed Struggle, and believe me, they don’t go shouting about it, especially not within earshot of 200 riot police.

Also, they don’t threaten to use the IRA as a personal army, whenever anyone does something they don’t like. Make of that what you will. They were, at one point, caught trying to set fire to a lived-in caravan, and at another, broke an activist’s nose “just for a laugh”. The threat of fire terrifyed the travellers. When you live in wooden and plastic trailers, closely packed and surrounded by Calor Gas bottles, fire is not your friend.

Also after dark, a scaffold tower was set on fire. No-one knew who did it, but the three pseudo-IRA men were the obvious suspects. They were asked to leave several times, and eventually did the next morning, after much argument.

As I mentioned before, both me and Tinkerbell were ill-prepared for the Eviction. That night was miserable in the extreme. Cold, wet, hungry, and with the constant threat of police and bailiffs less than 100m away.

However, it did eventually end and dawn broke, cold and chilly. The bailiffs begun work at 8am, soon removing the last lock ons by the gate, who had by then been in position for 25 hours. They soon moved on to the final lock-ons, within the site. By this time, there was a massive bank of media cameras on site. Virtually every newspaper, news channel and photojournalist in the country had turned up. So, the bailiffs erected a Harris fence around the lock ons, covered with tarps, to prevent the removals being filmed. Unbelievably, they were aided in this blatant anti-freedom of the press move by riot police, who advanced to their lines, pushing the media scrum back over 10m. However, protester soon thwarted this, ushering journo’s up onto the roof of a chalet directly overlooking the lock ons. From this point, journo’s and activists were able to record some of the worst bailiff violence I have ever seen. Bailiffs punched, kicked and choked the two locked on women, and, when they realised they didn’t have the tools to remove one woman’s arm from a concreted oil drum, they bodily lifted her up and dragged her, concrete block and all, out of the path of their heavy machinery. She narrowly avoided loosing an arm in the process. The bailiffs met resistance for this, being briefly showered with bricks and roof slates.

The removal of the last lock ons allowed bailiffs to move heavy earth-moving equipment on site. This left the remaining defenders in a fix. Numbers were rapidly dwindling and there was nothing left between defenders and the bulldozers. They could remain, defend to the last or all leave together. During a truly heart-rending meeting, the Travellers decided to abandon Dale Farm, their home of more than 10 years. Several of the community’s leaders made speeches that almost make me cry as I recall them, saying, simply but eloquently, thank you to the activists who’d helped them. They spoke of how they’d grown to love the quirky bunch of misfits, anarchists and agitators who’d turned up to defend them, and they cried real tears when they spoke of the pain we’d gone through to defend them. In turn, activists spoke of solidarity, community and love, laying the foundations for a new network, the Traveller’s Solidarity Network, to defend Travellers and stop brutal evictions.

The Travellers were worried that all the remaining Activists would be nicked if they tried to leave, so in a remarkable, heart-warming show of real solidarity, the Travellers surrounded us, forming a human wall between us and the police, and we left, chanting “Save Dale Farm”. I am not ashamed to say that, like many others, tears were streaming down my face as we left, at the kindness of the Travellers, who, after all, were suffering the greatest pain of all, losing their homes.

Tinkerbell and I jumped the train back to London, heading to the Occupy LSX camp to wind down. That night I drank. Lots. I got drunk and I cried and I collapsed. I couldn’t cope with what had happened. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that line of riot police, I saw Traveller women with screaming babies being dragged away from their homes. Tinkerbell was just as bad. For weeks, any mention of Dale Farm would set us off. I have realised that what I had was a mild form of Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder. I had never experienced such casual racism, such brutal policing, and such pure, gut-wrenching anger at the State.

I’d never experienced such pure joy in resisting.

Over all, I’m glad I went, and I’m glad others went. Dale Farm was a landmark event, the first time members of the “settled community” had helped Travellers during an eviction. The foundations laid their will persist for many years to come, giving a headache for those who would cleanse this ethnic group from our lands.

And last of all, my most beautiful memory of Dale Farm. I’m on the scaffold tower in the blisteringly cold wind. Police all around, Supporters cheering us on. Suddenly a lone, Irish voice starts singing, and all of us join in:

“So Go on home British Coppers Go on home Have you got no fucking homes of your own For 800 years we’ve fought you without fear And we will fight you for 800 more”

Our time will come comrades,

Up the revolution!

We believe that the war for resources that has plagued us for many years, is forcing us to the point of near destruction. The pursuit of oil and minerals in Africa by the 1% has resulted in millions being murdered, raped or displaced.

Africa is plagued with civil war, poverty and starvation. The Middle East is at the point of all out war. The ruling elites are on the verge of attacking Iran. The global economy is eating itself alive. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, since 1997, 8 million people have lost their lives in a civil war, manipulated by those who would seek to gain the most from this resource rich country. The African people, in Nigeria, the DRC, Libya, Uganda and elsewhere, will pay dearly for the materialism of the West.

In the UK over 2000 people will die from fuel poverty this year. The 1% in the form of global corporations will continue to reap the rewards, while the old and vulnerable will be found dead in their beds, having been forced to make the choice between heat and food.

Many people who are unfit and unable to work, will be forced off benefits and into unpaid and low paid work for the benefit of tax-dodging companies and supermarket chains. Food prices will continue to rise, pushed up by the ever increasing price of crude oil. While bankers continue to give themselves bonuses, in some cases, £3 billion for managing hedge funds. Politicians will reward them with peerages and accolades, while condemning the workers to a life of poverty.

In Ireland, a country on the verge of economic collapse, politicians in the last government, on leaving office, signed over the gas resources to Shell oil – at the same time cutting benefits to those most in need.

It’s time to make a stand. On 4th February 2012 we will Occupy Petrol Stations across London. We call on activists to organise yourselves into affinity groups and join this action London-wide. Make banners, get sound systems and pick targets. As the date approaches we can co-ordinate actions for maximum impact. Let’s send an opening shot in our war against the global elites.

occupyoil@risup.net

Our first target is Shell Petrol Stations join us on facebook

“Mum, can I have some money for the black babies?”   Being six years old, growing up in Belfast. I had never experienced any other cultures, others than white Catholic, or white Protestant.  I only experienced a few people of African origin as a child or for that matter, any other ethnic background.  They were either soldiers or doctors.   I wasn’t racist at six years old; I was just repeating what my teachers had said to me.  It was never explained to me growing up that Great Britain had be the cause of many of the problems in Africa. The ruling elites had being robbing the place for hundreds of years.   I was just brainwashed to believe that God would want us to help.  After all, the more you give, the better a Catholic you were.

Sectarianism was more important than actually looking behind the headlines and exploring the real reasons for poverty, war and starvation in Africa or indeed in Cambodia or Vietnam.  It was only in later years when I began to question and identify the real causes and understand the truth.  These were wars for control of resources. We were and continue just to be pawns in a global game of chess.

 “I sometimes wonder was there an African teacher somewhere, asking his pupils to collect a sense of community and a bottle of milk for the poor white children in the UK” 

Maggie Thatcher was on the verge of taking power.  She had already stopped giving milk to children in school.  Next, she would turn on communities and organised labour.  In school not only were we not getting milk, we were also being used to put pressure on our parents to fund aid programs.  To keep a member of the 1% in a job, while most families who had kids in this school fought to stay above the poverty line.   There has been a long history of work in the so called third world, within Christianity and indeed Catholicism.   This was standard practice within our schools.  Constantly, collecting money for the ‘boat people’ and different aid programs in Africa. It’s similar to the logic of applying a sticking plaster to someone who has had their leg amputated.    In fact religion is used to manipulate all of us, “You are poor, it’s God’s will, accept it” “Jesus would want you to help, we accept all major credit cards”   While the millionaire priests would have their bi annual trip to New York or Washington to mix with the Irish American 1%.  Apparently that was God’s will too

We were very poor growing up and when you consider that now, that we were being used to fund aid programs to countries that were rich in resources, such as minerals and oils.    It only adds to the sense of injustice.

I have to ask myself, how much of this money actually was used to help those in need?   Like many of the ‘good doers’, I don’t believe much of this actually has an impact on those suffering the most, or that it ever actually reaches those that need it most, this has been pointed out with the controversy facing  Bono at this time.  (The Bono Story)

It really makes me sad and angry to think that those suffering the most economic injustice were and continue to be exploited.  In Western Europe we are bombarded with advertisements designed to make us feel guilty for the suffering of others.  At the same time we are gradually heading towards those conditions ourselves.  However, it is those with the least who seem to give more.  While the 1% such as those who manage Hedge Funds give each other £3 Billion bonuses (RSA Animated Lecture)

Yet within this world there is enough for everyone.  Bill Hicks pointed out that if we took all the money spent on war and defence, we would have money feed, clothe and house everyone in the world and still have enough over to explore space.The Last Post for the 1%

The 1% continues to take everything for themselves and pit us off against each other.  Black versus White, Catholic against Protestant and the list goes on.  These divisions are created to keep us from addressing the real injustices in this world.  When we are pointing out each other’s differences and blaming our respective groups for getting all the jobs and economic benefits, then we are missing the point and not addressing the root cause of these inequalities.

There are no divisions in the 1%, they care not about the colour of each other’s skin or what God they pray to at night, they are only interested in making profit and they don’t care  who gets exploited, killed or displaced in the pursuit of that goal.  It is in their interests to continue to feed the fires of division between us.  A coming together of peoples across this world is their greatest fear.  

  “We will take our country back” #OccupyNigeriaLondon

Africa is the bottom 1%, not part of the so called 99%, if we can’t resolve the injustices of this continent, then what hope is there for the rest of humanity.  No justice until inequality has been wiped of the face of the African continent.   

We are told we are a developed country yet this year in the UK; over 2000 vulnerable people will die from fuel poverty.  We live under the illusion that we have a better standard of living.  

Africa is robbed of its natural resources on a daily basis.  Don’t be under the illusion that this is to the benefit of the working classes.  It the 1% who will make all the money and benefit economically.  Owen Jones pointed out in his book, Chav’s The Demonization of the Working Class, we need to organise on a global level, A resistance to economic inequality.  We need to see past the religious and cultural differences or indeed the colour of someone’s skin.  If we stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, that would send out of powerful message to those in power, those who exploit, murder and discriminate against the rest of humanity. The message that “Enough is Enough” needs to be loud and clear.  We need to shout that from a united voice.  Not just from the peoples of Africa, but humanity as a whole.Genocide in the Congo

This isn’t just about removing Cameron, Kabila, or restoring fuel subsidies.  This is about peace equality and justice for all.  Capitalism has failed us all. We need to have conversations about how we are going to live together. Will it really take a collapse of some form, to wake us up to the fact that we cannot continue on this course.  That we live in a finite world, a world that capitalism has drained to the point of destruction.  I believe it’s never too late and that another world really is possible.

“You are killing our people” said Angela a Congolese resident of London. She was referring to the ongoing slaughter in the Congo that has cost the lives of 8 million people from 1997 to present. This part of Africa contains the precious resource known as Coltan. Coltan is found in many, if not all new technology. We are seeing the tearing up of communities and continents so that we can have the latest gadget or device.

There is a enormous gap between the African/black community and White Europeans. That was evident over the last couple of protests. The sense of danger some people experienced has lessened, due to the sterling work of activists, showing solidarity and gaining the trust of the Congolese. I spoke briefly to a photographer friend yesterday, they had experienced this on Saturday, some photographers were nearly attacked by a section of the Congolese protestors. One photographer even decided to wear a stab proof vest. Yesterday, there were more White faces in the crowd, but in my few not enough. It’s seems the bottom 1% isn’t as attractive as the so called 99%. Therefore there was a great absence of he Facebook warriors and celebrity activists. One day this will become the in thing to do, and I am 100% sure we will be tripping over them

Angela blamed white Europeans for the onslaught being felt on this part of the continent. I sensed a great anger inside her, for a time it was being directed towards me. thankfully, I have a get out card, I am Irish. Northern Irish to be exact. This fact, that was caused at birth, has managed to get me out of a few difficult situations. However, I could never understand the plight of the people’s of Africa, from South Africa, Rwanda to the Congo. It’s just on a different scale. What I can do though is show solidarity. It’s for this very reason that I disagree with the whole 99% idea, it’s one thing having to pay for an education, it’s another different level when you have to pay for someone’s iPhone, with your LIFE, or the lives of your family and friends.

The police were prepared not to be caught out again. They were there in great numbers, but so were the congolese, this march was easily more than triple the number of protesters than the previous Saturday. This is what happens when people are oppressed and beaten off the streets, they just come back stronger. The Congolese are off their knees and asking for justice, freedom and peace. The media blackout on the issue is no accident, while it pumps out lies about the Middle East, the latest soap star to get a facelift and who is expected to get Christmas number one, the West has the hands in the till, if they aren’t robbing oil in the Middle East they’re raping Africa. Justice, freedom and peace is not a commodity, it’s a basic human right.

The protest slowly made it’s way towards and down Oxford Street there was a lot of engagement with the general public. The Congolese had come prepared with images of genocide and facts about the numbers of people killed. Christmas shoppers stopped on many occasions to ask what the protest is about, some even asking how they could help. An encouraging sign, in times when dog eat dog was never so apparent.

Suddenly there were shouting, chanting and many of the crowd were pointing and booing. We had reached the Apple Store. It was shortly after this that someone in one of the offices above put a sign out supporting Kabila. Kabila is the western appointed dictator in the DRC. The Congolese accuse him of acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. I have no reason to disbelieve them.

The police had come prepared with TSG, Evidence Gathering Teams, Dogs, Fences Vans, LED signs, and twitter. On reflection, all of the FIT teams who have caused conflict in the past at demonstrations were not present. the Jeremy Hunt’s, Discombe’s, QK 332 and the like. Maybe our naming and shaming them really does work. They certainly seemed to pull back from the aggressive intelligence gathering activities.

Initially, I thought this was going to be a bloodbath. Especially when the Congolese asked for all women and children to leave. The static protest at the end of the march was due to finish at 6pm. Thankfully the MET seen sense and didn’t go into aggressively clear the area. The Congolese left on their terms, they slowly walked down Whitehall blocking all traffic and for a time Trafalgar Square.

My friend and I were commenting on how successful it had been, since 2pm central London had been disrupted and the plight of the Congolese was highlighted in a dignified way. To my knowledge at that stage there had been no major incidents and few if anyone arrested at all.

However, the MET were going to have their pound of flesh, after all the FIT teams were stood down. A kettle formed facing Charing Cross station, initial reports were that everyone was being detained for a possible breach of the peace, yes I know, that old chestnut. It was after 10pm before everyone was released. Not before they were photographed and identified. Even the Legal Observers were searched and attempts made to take their pictures.

Munching on a mince pie with a piping hot cup of coffee in the shadow of Big Ben, it’s was time for home.

Millions die, get raped and are displaced, just so you can have your shiny new iPhone. The precious metals that make these devices possible are sourced in Africa, not without a heavy cost on the African people. These peoples don’t benefit from any of this mining. That’s the thing about capitalism, it’s only the 1%. However, To describe the Congolese people’s as the 99% is somewhat misleading. The 99% are listening to free concerts by Radiohead and tweeting about it on their cool new smart phones. Yes I know, something wrong with this picture.

I had known for quite some time about the carving up of Africa for it’s natural resources, I also was aware that the US had troops in Uganda, and that this all was connected to the downfall of Gadhaffi. It’s easy to be a left wing philosopher about all those things, but nothing prepared me for the raw emotion I experienced from the Congolese yesterday in central London.

Yesterday was just like any other Saturday, I had intended to do some revision for my exams in January, however, I decided to link up with my friend Maria at Parliament Square to chew the fat and discuss possibilities for 2012.

On arrival I was straight into a discussion about the attack on a Congolese protester by a member of Territorial Support Group, the protestors are calling for the election result in their country to be recognised. The member of the TSG had head butted the protester, breaking his nose, it’s all on tape.

Being there to support these people as brothers and sisters is not easy, that night a female activist was surrounded, she was there to film the police violence. The Congolese are very suspicious of being infiltrated, who would really blame them? Last night, I was questioned with suspicion, it felt dangerous at one point, one of the protesters informed me that it wasn’t safe for me to be there.

I appreciated the advice, but been there done that, comes to mind. We were there to record the behaviour of the police, as the night unfolded I am glad we didn’t leave.

The night of the 9th of December they had deployed police horses, reports were that protesters nearly got hurt, this was all too familiar, reminiscent of the student protests, I was thinking they might use the same tactics. I must say, the Congolese people know how to protest. Some had arrived in partial military uniforms, many were singing and dancing. I fought the urge to join them.

It wasn’t long before my old friend QK 332 stealth FIT officer with the MET police turned up. I first encountered him last year, I particular nasty piece of work. I looked all over the Internet looking for a picture of him, with no luck. He wouldn’t escape the lens this time.

                                                                           QK332 and his sidelkick

I feel it is vitally important to turn the tables on the intimidation employed by the MET, especially from the would be spooks in Forward Intelligence. QK332 always teams up with a female officer

Within a few hours of the protest the Congolese started to dance up and down in the protest pen that had been constructed on the pavement far away from Downing St. They were carrying a fake coffin with a crucifix, to represent all this that have died at the hands of Western appointed dictators. The Met police looked scared, maybe they wished for the students to be back on the streets. Easy prey for their batons and horses.

After a while, the chanting, singing and dancing paid off, a massive group of protestors broke through the police lines, like a knife through butter. Whitehall was blocked. It wasn’t long before fireworks were being set off and thrown, some nearly making it into Downing street, many hitting the War Cabinet rooms, oh! The irony.

This was the cue for the police to put on their NATO helmets, it was also a good opportunity for them to deploy snatch squads. Little did they know that this would end in very red faces among the top brass. My comrade QK 332 was doing the spotting and seemed to be directing the snatches ( that doesn’t sound right). It was at this point that I was given advice to move away as it was dangerous for me to be there. I did move back a few metres and I am glad I did, it was at that point that a snatch moved it. Complete with it’s very own FIT team. The Congolese resisted and surrounded the cops, could this be really true? Was I witnessing the first reverse police kettle? They got quite a slapping, the look of fear on the face HT 496.

They weren’t going to bully these people, from what I sensed they had suffered enough. Many were displaying horrific pictures of of fellow Congolese who had been murdered.

I decided to take a break, I had only sat down and a breakaway group ran past the cafe to take over Trafalgar Square and close the strand. Their singing, was music to the soul. The singing in unison, calling for real democracy, pleading with shoppers to listen. Trying to get those rushing to get their new gadgets to just take a moment and think of the real cost. I felt an overwhelming sense of emotion. These people were begging me to listen, I was listening more than they can imagine. I know what it’s like to live in conflict. I know what’s it’s like to have members of your community murdered, maimed and displaced. Maybe not on the sale of Africa, but it takes it toil. My feeing on it all, enough is enough. I can honestly say here that I can’t undo the hurt and pain that has already happened, but I can make sure from this point I don’t add to it. That’s why I for one will never buy another new laptop, smartphone or any other gadget. I had made this decision a few months ago, but I mean it now more than ever.

Picture courtesy of Rikki from indymedia Read report and pics here

The mix of those shopping, getting drunk for Xmas parties and these Congolese was surreal. The most disturbing incident of the night happened when the crowd moved to block another part of the strand. Jeremy Hunt, known protagonist with the Forward Intelligence Team, MD 187 assaulted a young girl of 15, despite her protests, he grabbed her by the throat, shoving her off the road. I have met Jeremy a few times, but he wouldn’t remember me. I am sure when he tucks into his Christmas dinner and his children unwrap their new iPads, paid for with his overtime. He will reflect on that young girl.  Who knows,  maybe a little crocodile tear will roll down his face as he imagines the blood dripping from that device. The life blood of innocents.

FIT officer, Name and number unknown, putting on audio equipment, when you talk to an officer from Forward Intelligence the whole conversation is recorded.  SO DONT TALK TO THEM.

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Protestors have put peace banners on scaffolding at the top of the tower of St Margarets, the House of Commons church in Parliament Square SimonMaresITV

“Get up! Get your stuff together! Get up” This is definitely not the way I wanted this rooftop protest to end. Surrounded by a very assertive specialised rope team from the Metropolitan Police. Consisting of four climbers, of varying abilities. I had met their gaffer before; Brian had the pleasure of removing me from the Houses of Parliament.

I am not a morning person and this part of the battle they had clearly won. I wasn’t too happy. It was only 930am in the morning, I had dosed off to catch some sleep. The night before I had given my bivvy bag to Maria to keep warm and get some sleep. It’s my most prized piece of kit. Without it I was freezing most of the night and very uncomfortable.

Despite this very unhappy ending, we had brought a clear message right on the front door of parliament. The police had intended this area to be a sterile zone. We had other plans.

It was a dangerous and audacious plan and we pulled it off. I am always reluctant to write about actions after the fact. I don’t want to give away intelligence of tactics to police. I will endeavour to do my best with this piece not to discuss anything they do not already know.

We had decided to go in the night before, having constructed a piece of kit that would act as a make shift ladder. I commented to M, that had we been in a Stalag, we certainly would have been on the escape committee. Being up high cerntainly does have a feeling of escaping the insanity of the society we live in.

At 930pm we moved, no one can ever prepare you for the fear that can be brought on in situations like this one we had undertaken. I have managed over the years to channel it into a form of focus. The piece of kit we put together was around 25 long and had number of pieces of woods attached to act as footholds. I am hoping to get a picture of it through the data protection act.

“Take the rucsac from your back” Said M, I really was not too sure about this climb. Fear was taking over, with nerves I nearly attempted it with a very heavy rucksack. I had images running around my head of myself falling and causing serious damage. The elevation of this wood was the steepest thing I have ever climbed.

“Slow it down, fuck sake slow it down” The voices in my head said, for once I was not arguing with them. After what seemed like an eternity, we were in. Next was M, If I thought I was scared before, this was worse watching someone else and worrying they would fall and hurt themselves. I felt powerless, however after some time we got in.

Next came the long climb up to the tower. It took us maybe 30 minutes, On arrival, there was only one thing to do first. Hug, its become a tradition with Maria and I. It very hard to describe in a blog or indeed in words. That moment when you realise that as a team you have achieved something that hours before was seeming impossible in your head.

We had a number of banners; they said Cut the War, Troops Home and On Strike for Peace. On our arrival on the top platform, we had the police helicopter in the sky, within the hour we also had Gold Command from the Metropolitan Police onParliament Squarewith some members of the rope discussing their options. It was no doubt that this wasn’t in their plans, the two days precious to this there had been a heavy police presence in Parliament Square, they must have been kicking themselves.

As always, I had negotiated with Westminister Abbey Staff and the police to ensure we were there on the tower at least to the beginning of the march by the strikers. It wasn’t to be,

“Never trust a peeler my son” My fathers voice resonating in my mind, offering timeless advice. It was clear from the arrest operation that the police didn’t want us there, it was embarrassing for them. They sent the top brass, a FIT Team and Evidence Gathering Team and van loads of cops.

On the scaffold, Brian began to search me, even before I was arrested. When I challenged him, he couldn’t offer any explanation of the law that said he could do this search lawfully. However, 170ft up surrounded by plod, I wasn’t going to argue. That battle is for another time.

We were taken down after 12 hours of occupation, and held for 12 hrs in a police cell, aggressively questions. Thankfully both of us done a no comment interview and we were released without charge. We live to climb and fight another day.

What I will take away from that day is this

Again….. as if I didn’t already understand… NEVER TRUST A COPPER, they are not your friends. They are not the 99%

Palestinian Flag flies proudly over Parliament