On 2 April 2012, the first legal challenge in Scotland to the police’s use of kettling tactics on protests will be held in Glasgow District Court in relation to the trial of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! supporter Dominic O’Hara. The Glasgow Defence Campaign is committed to defending all those criminalised for opposing the government’s attacks on public provision and to preventing further abuses of police powers.
Show your support for the campaign by signing the petition below, which on receipt of 1,000 signatures will be delivered to the office of the Procurator Fiscal in Glasgow.
“The police in britain have begun a political war of intimidation against those who exercise their right to protest peacefully. No where is this more evident than in the outrageous actions of the Strathclyde police against the Glasgow Defence Campaign, including a direct attack on the right of free speech and peaceful assembly. Who will be next? If the police are allowed to succeed, other legitimate campaigns will be targeted. It’s imperative the Glasgow Defence Campaign has the support of all of us. “ – John Pilger, journalist and film-maker
We, the undersigned:
- demand that Strathclyde police end the practice of kettling
- demand an end to the misuse of charges such as breach of the peace, obstruction and street trading legislation to criminalise political activity in Scotland
- demand that the Procurator Fiscal recognise that pursuing charges against peaceful anti-cuts protesters is not in the public interest
There are currently 126 signatures for this petition: