Russ Cheshire
@RussCheshire@mastodon.scot  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

I have just read the following from a friend in Wales. Sue, a veteran of Greenham Common, is in her late 70s & in poor health; & yet has been subject to arrest & imposition of unreasonable bail conditions, while her partner was subject to a raid on their home by police at 3am.

Her crime? To protest peacefully in defence of the right to protest.

The United Kingdom & its constituent parts have become, under a Labour government, a police state.

#Starmer must go. #Cooper must go.

"Bear with me dear friends, this is lengthy. But do read it if you are concerned about human rights and the direction of travel of this UK government. Or indeed, about crimes against humanity and genocide. At the weekend I made a considered decision to join a silent, peaceful, sitting protest in Cardiff, in support of the campaign to de-proscribe Palestine Action. Most of you will be aware that this protest group was recently proscribed under the Terrorism Act, despite being non-violent. Members have been accused of damaging property (in Britain) which is involved in Israel's genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Similar peaceful protests took place in London and Manchester. The police responses were different and in South Wales were much more draconian than elsewhere. I was held for over 30 hours and am now bailed on condition I do not stay away from home overnight, till October. Or go to Cardiff. Plus other things. Our house - and Alan in it - was raided by police at 3.00 am while I was still in a police cell. My decision to protest was made primarily in defense of the right to protest, especially about Gaza . I knew that the Terrorism Act was powerful and punitive and I believed - and still believe - that using it against a non-violent protest group was a chilling step in the wrong direction. Hence the campaign to de-proscribe it. This is legal. [... ...] I hope it's not too late for us to turn back and I hope that there are many more people without fear."
"Bear with me dear friends, this is lengthy. But do read it if you are concerned about human rights and the direction of travel of this UK government. Or indeed, about crimes against humanity and genocide. At the weekend I made a considered decision to join a silent, peaceful, sitting protest in Cardiff, in support of the campaign to de-proscribe Palestine Action. Most of you will be aware that this protest group was recently proscribed under the Terrorism Act, despite being non-violent. Members have been accused of damaging property (in Britain) which is involved in Israel's genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Similar peaceful protests took place in London and Manchester. The police responses were different and in South Wales were much more draconian than elsewhere. I was held for over 30 hours and am now bailed on condition I do not stay away from home overnight, till October. Or go to Cardiff. Plus other things. Our house - and Alan in it - was raided by police at 3.00 am while I was still in a police cell. My decision to protest was made primarily in defense of the right to protest, especially about Gaza . I knew that the Terrorism Act was powerful and punitive and I believed - and still believe - that using it against a non-violent protest group was a chilling step in the wrong direction. Hence the campaign to de-proscribe it. This is legal. [... ...] I hope it's not too late for us to turn back and I hope that there are many more people without fear."
"Bear with me dear friends, this is lengthy. But do read it if you are concerned about human rights and the direction of travel of this UK government. Or indeed, about crimes against humanity and genocide. At the weekend I made a considered decision to join a silent, peaceful, sitting protest in Cardiff, in support of the campaign to de-proscribe Palestine Action. Most of you will be aware that this protest group was recently proscribed under the Terrorism Act, despite being non-violent. Members have been accused of damaging property (in Britain) which is involved in Israel's genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Similar peaceful protests took place in London and Manchester. The police responses were different and in South Wales were much more draconian than elsewhere. I was held for over 30 hours and am now bailed on condition I do not stay away from home overnight, till October. Or go to Cardiff. Plus other things. Our house - and Alan in it - was raided by police at 3.00 am while I was still in a police cell. My decision to protest was made primarily in defense of the right to protest, especially about Gaza . I knew that the Terrorism Act was powerful and punitive and I believed - and still believe - that using it against a non-violent protest group was a chilling step in the wrong direction. Hence the campaign to de-proscribe it. This is legal. [... ...] I hope it's not too late for us to turn back and I hope that there are many more people without fear."