So, Police Scotland's promise to "facilitate peaceful protest" didn't last long.
As early as 7am on 3rd November they impounded an inflatable Nessie, claiming it"contravened maritime regulations". The Loch Ness Monster was part of a stunt bythe Jubilee Debt Campaign, who hoped to bring attention to the debt that theGlobal South faces due to the Global North giving so-called climate assistance inthe form of loans rather than grants. ---- Then came reports of people beingstopped and questioned under the auspices of all manner of bizarre pretences.This included police stopping the broadcaster Kaye Adams for "lookingsurreptitious". Another campaigner was stopped for "talking to people" and"walking too fast". These random and laughably vague tactics are clearlyintended to harass. We are hearing many such reports since the beginning ofCOP26. It's becoming clear that the police are taking a very broad view of theirremit.Kettling tactics started today too, with protesters in Glasgow City Centre heldin a kettle for hours and denied access to medication or toilets. Men, women andchildren are having to urinate in the street.If you are out and about during COP26, it doesn't matter if you are there as aprotestor or not, as the Scottish Community & Activist Legal Project (SCALP)remind us, "the line between ‘activists' and ‘the community' is an artificial oneused to divide us. Policing affects us all". So bear in mind the advice from SCALP:1. If stopped and searched, you do not have to answer any questions or give anypersonal details.2. If the police stop and search you, you must be told the power you are beingsearched under, and the reason for your search. If they do not offer thisinformation, ask for it.Netpol campaigns co-ordinator Kevin Blowe said: "It is depressing to watch PoliceScotland, from the very start of Cop26, abandon its much-publicised promises toremain ‘friendly, fair and accommodating' to protesters."Predictably, we have seen already the use of widespread intrusive surveillance,the deployment of forward intelligence team officers to target individuals evenwhen protests are not taking place and the arbitrary, disproportionate use ofpolice stop-and-search powers."The ACG deplores these heavy-handed police tactics. That they have started soearly does not bode well for the coming days. Remember that if you can't staysilent, say "no comment".https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/2021/11/03/nessie-arrested-policing-farce-at-cop26/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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