Two arrests in two days as Gloucestershire anti protest police crackdown on activism.

Friday 24th Two activists from Gloucestershire Animal Action were holding an information stall in Stroud when they were approached by a police officer. His attitude towards the two individuals became immediately obvious when he began the “anything to shut us down and shut us up” routine and proceeded with comments such as “You are blocking the public highway” As the pictures clearly show, the activists clearly were not blocking anything and were set up outside an empty shop. The statements continued; “We could do you for littering…”?! They were really clutching at straws at this point and stated “We have had complaints about the imagery on the front of your stall and we want your details. The activists replied “I would rather not give my details, Have I been anti social?”, “No, but we believe you have committed the offence of blocking the public highway”, the police then warned the activists of impending arrest and told them to stop taking photographs on a camera phone. When one continued to refuse to provide his details (as is his legal right to decline such information) the PC moved in for the arrest whereupon the activist went limp and fell to the floor.

The activist was then dragged into a vehicle by four police whist angry members of the public shouted at police to protest the obvious police bullying and intimidation. The Mayor of Stroud who was bystanding during the arrest was horrified and joined onlookers in contempt for the illegal arrest. We were later informed that the mayor apparently reprimanded the police for their extreme tactics against freedom of expression.

After arriving at the police station the activist was interviewed during which an officer admitted the interview was only “to cover his back” in regards to his use of force. After a half arsed apology the activist was released from custody with “No further action”. Needless to say the police apology does not mark the end of this situation and legal action against the force and officers in question will (as always) be the next step in this ordeal. Local press were present during the whole ordeal and said the arrest had a very good chance of making front page news as the force used by the police was so excessive and many onlookers were distressed by such brutality.

Saturday 25th was another scorcher as a demonstration started against Thomas Cook (against their support of the import of wild primates from the island of Mauritius) at around midday opposite Gloucestershire Animal Action’s information stall. After a few minutes a female staff member came out and told the lone activist who was handing out leaflets to members of the public “It is illegal to protest outside here, move away or I will have you arrested.” To which the activist replied, “I think you should phone the police as you obviously have no clue about the law.” She then retreated back into the shop and around an hour later, the police community support officers are on site informing us that “you need a permit to hand out leaflets from the council” to which we responded; “only if we are selling something or touting for business which we aren’t, do we need a permit: This excludes religious or political leafleting.” She then asked for the activists details and the activist refused as he had not broken the law or been anti-social once during the protest. “It doesn’t matter,” she (PCSO 9118) said. “Are you refusing to give your details then.” The activist replied: “Yes, I only need to give them if I have been anti social and I haven’t”, To which PCSO 9118 stated “OK, you will be arrested then” and called for back up. Ten minutes later a male officer, PC 1931 and Sergeant 1958 (all pictured below) arrive at the scene and enter the shop after asking If anyone has been inside to which the activist responds: “No, you have been watching on CCTV so you know that.” Moments later the Sergeant calls in the PC, exits and proceeds to inform the activist that he is being arrested under Section 5 of the public order act. The activist then sits down on the floor and goes limp. Handcuffs are then produced and placed on the activist, who is then asked by the PC: “Are you going to resist?” The activivist replied “No.” (Passive resistance is not resisting arrest; you are fully within your rights to go limp when officers try to arrest you) the male PC then twists the cuffs causing a cut on the wrists of the activist and considerable bruising after the veins are broken. The officers then call for back up as it is apparent they will not be able to lift an 18+ stone man into a police car by themselves, even if they are resulting to assault to get him in the car. Minutes later two male police officers (Pictured – ID numbers needed) they lift the activist once and after failing the older grey haired cop decided to pinch with his nails the inside of the activists arm leaving an 11cm bruise (which has been documented by a police doctor – if you are injured during an arrest by a cop always ask for a doctor at the station. It is your legal right to ask and be seen by one). The activist was finally pushed into the car with crowd of around 100 people shouting at officers for not doing real police work and stopping peaceful protest and cheering for the activist who had a good chance to let the crowd know why he was being arrested during the whole ordeal.
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Gloucestershire isn’t becoming a Police state it already is.

Notes for editors:

Ten animal rights activists have been arrested in Gloucestershire in the last 12 months spanning 17 arrests.~

(c) Gloucestershire Animal Action – Please ask for permission before you use the pics