G20 demonstrations

I've been hired on Thursday to photograph the protests... wish me luck!

Good luck Ben !

:s

good luck ben, get some good ones.

Hit it Ice Cube -

YouTube - Fuck Tha Police - N.W.A.

I wish it was today.. I really could've done with smacking the crap out of a protester, banker or copper or failing that, having the shit kicked out of me by protester, banker or copper.

I wish it was today.. I really could've done with smacking the crap out of a protester, banker or copper or failing that, having the shit kicked out of me by protester, banker or copper.

I've heard there might be a separate 'Fuck Everyone' march.

Isn't this just an excuse to have a rowdy gathering? Political, environmental, right wing, left wing, literally everyone has grievance to show to the G20.
And the funny thing is they seem to think this protest is going to make a difference. Like 1,000,000 made a difference before the Iraq war a Trafalgar square.

Is that what 'they' told you?

Cheers Will, will keep that knowledge to hand.

Cheers Will, will keep that knowledge to hand.

Try and pull the crumpled bit of paper out of your pocket as 50,000 volts are surging through your body. ;P

Tasers are going to be making their first big outing tomorrow as well as speedcuffs, extended batons and CS gas spray.

and i have to work all day, that sounds like damn fine entertainment... do dreadlocks conduct electricty, will a cs gassed crustry still refuse to wash for weeks on end, tearing up every one in the room? reality TV will never get this good again.

While tynan's worries about the actual application of laws are valid, filming or taking pictures of the police hasn't been made illegal. Information taken from the CM-London list, with thanks to the original poster.

In detail:

<<Concerns have recently been expressed in the media that a new
provision in the Counter Terrorism Act 2008 makes it a criminal
offence to take and publish a photograph of a police officer. Section
76 of the 2008 Act makes it an offence to elicit or attempt to elicit
information about an individual who is or has been a constable "which
is of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing
an act of terrorism." As the Explanatory Notes to the Counter
Terrorism Bill correctly stated, the new offence will only be
committed where the information in question is "such as to raise a
reasonable suspicion that it was intended to be used to assist in the
preparation or commission of an act of terrorism, and must be of a
kind that was likely to provide practical assistant to a person
committing or preparing an act of terrorism." That is the effect of a
decision of the Court of Appeal in a case in 2008 interpreting the
same statutory language in the separate terrorism offence of
possessing a document or record containing information of a kind
likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of
terrorism.

We therefore do not share the concerns expressed in the media that the
new offence criminalises taking photographs of the police. However, we
do regard as significant the fact that this is being widely reported
as a matter of concern to journalists. Legal uncertainty about the
reach of criminal offences can have a chilling effect on the
activities of journalists and protestors. We therefore recommend that,
to eliminate any scope for doubt about the scope of the new offence in
section 76 of the Counter Terrorism Act 2008, guidance be issued to
the police about the scope of the offence in light of the decision of
the Court of Appeal, and specifically addressing concerns about its
improper use to prevent photographing or filming police. >>

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200809/jtselect/jtrights/47/4707.htm#a24

While tynan's worries about the actual application of laws are valid, filming or taking pictures of the police hasn't been made illegal.

I used the word 'effectively' purposefully.

"As from 16th February this year it is effectively illegal to take pictures of the police."

It is up to the courts and the police to interpret this law - and we already have endless examples of previous terror laws being routinely abused for ends they were never intended for - as each additional power is granted under terrorism laws ministers give assurances that these new laws will not be used outside their intended remit and - each time they are - routinely so. Not isolated cases, but as a matter of course.

In a culture that already sees policemen intimidating photographers working entirely within the law I don't think it is naive or alarmist to see that this law will be routinely employed in situations where it has no place. Like it has already been said, once you have been arrested and thrown in the back of a van, it's all good and well to point out that no law has been breached, but no one has ever talked their way out of a police van regardless of your knowledge of the law and how word perfect you can quote section 76, the police are not interested.

Your point is techincally right, I might be better rewording what I said to:

"As from 16th February this year taking pictures of the police puts you in real peril of arrest."

i dissagree that terrorism laws where never intended to curb civl liberties/ cut down on the rights of demonstraitors, alot of thought goes into how laws will be used and what each word means when they are written. The fact that these laws are used in these ways so early in there life shows clear intent on the part of the lawmakers.

I think they are serposed to be peacfull protests. That is untill someone sees a banker in disgise (loffers and chinos apparently)...

...acting all "normal" swinging keys to the Lambo with Ralph sweater tied around the neck.

...acting all "normal" swinging keys to the Lambo with Ralph sweater tied around the neck.

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread17784.html

Loads of police around this morning. Loads of cyclists too. What a lovely day. I wonder whats going to happen.

1 Attachment

Cyclists and police have a rare game of football in the moment of peace between the two?

Just rode through the city from London Bridge to Moorgate via Bank. Loads of police, very little traffic, not a single protester in site.

Personally, if I was out to really screw up the city, I'd get up early and cause chaos while people were actually on their way to work, not wait until mid morning when everyone is inside and security have it all locked down.

See what happens later. Should be interesting, especially on such a beautiful day!

personally I think they should do nothing, that would really mess with the police etc...

just no one turn up.

Just rode through the city from London Bridge to Moorgate via Bank. Loads of police, very little traffic, not a single protester in site.

Personally, if I was out to really screw up the city, I'd get up early and cause chaos while people were actually on their way to work, not wait until mid morning when everyone is inside and security have it all locked down.

See what happens later. Should be interesting, especially on such a beautiful day!

Yeah, but all these crusty layabout stoners can't get out of bed before midday. Also, it takes a while to get here from oop North

personally I think they should do nothing, that would really mess with the police etc...

just no one turn up.

That did cross my mind, that would be brilliant! Masssive publicity, massive exposure, minimum effort.

Protest smart, not hard!

I've got a horrific cold but on my way out for a looksy shortly... Anyone know a good café with wi-fi in the square mile (with proper tables, chairs and power points)? I'll probably work from the war zone today...

Yeah, but all these crusty layabout stoners can't get out of bed before midday. Also, it takes a while to get here from oop North

Also, it's bloody expensive to travel peak time. Just wait until 10am. Stations will be flooded with thrifty protestors.

Cyclists and police have a rare game of football in the moment of peace between the two?

Where are paul mcartney and stevie wonder when you need them?