DEFENDANT SOLIDARITY

Bristol Defendant Solidarity (BDS)

Old Market Street on February 23, 1932, as some 3,000 unemployed engaged in running battles with the police as they tried to march down to the city centre.

Bristol Defendant Solidarity has recently been supporting defendants in court who are facing charges and prison as a result of the riots in Stokes Croft last April. Several people have been convicted over the last months and most are receiving prison sentences of 14-16 months. In the face of the revenge of the state, we restate our commitment to effective, lasting support and solidarity with all those arrested and imprisoned after the unrest.

Presently the main focus of our work is supporting defendants facing court, and providing support to those good people who have been imprisoned. We’ve seen numerous local people convicted by the lies of the police and the sham “justice” meted out by the courts. Even, as we’ve seen, when the stories put forward as evidence by the police are clearly shown up as not convincing at all, judges more often than not take sides with authority. Good arguments and truth don’t really come into it. When it comes down to the word of normal people versus the word of the cops, you know which way it’s going to go in their courts. Witness statements for the defence are still really important and can mean the difference between a guilty or not guilty verdict, and between prison or freedom. Too many good people get imprisoned because they only had overpaid, disinterested and not fit for purpose barristers to speak for them and no witnesses to speak up for them. If you saw any arrests or police attacks during the unrest in Stokes Croft, please contact BDS (see below).

The authorities, fully aware and fearful of widespread and escalating unrest and anger, are attempting to subdue our resistance with punitive sentencing that is only matched in it’s harshness and brutality by police batons on the streets. Through the use of their judicial system, they intend to set an example of people like you and me, to the rest of their subjects. The message is simple: conform or feel the wrath of our justice. Step out of line and we will come down on you hard. The police are quite up front about it, in any number of their proclamations after the riots, instilling collective paranoia and fear of punishment. All of this is designed to keep us from taking to the streets, joining with others to resist, to confront authority and to fight for a better world.

But people are rightly angry at the state of the world around us. We will continue to challenge their control of our lives and their plans for our future. We won’t let ourselves be divided into “good” and “bad” demonstrators and nor will we be intimidated to the point of staying safe indoors. So expect more mass arrests, routinised police violence and prisons bursting (or perhaps burning?) with prisoners of the class war. Let’s not forget, as hysterical media leads calls for more weapons for the police, that the recent riots erupted after a young man was murdered by armed cops and 1400 people have lost their lives in the U.K. since 1991 at the hands of the “keepers of the peace”. Next time it could be one of your friends, family or you yourself on the receiving end of the law. Let’s be clear: their judicial process is a sham and has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with protecting a system based on extreme violence and looting on a massive scale. Guilt or innocence are not important to lying, violent cops, rulers or lawmakers and people will be imprisoned for little or nothing more than going on a demonstration, saying the wrong thing on facebook, questioning authority, being politically active, being in the wrong place at the wrong time or stealing a few packets of fags. It’s times like these, when the gloves are coming off, that we really get to see the state we’re in.

We send respect and solidarity to all of those awaiting trial, in court or imprisoned after the riots this year. We want them to know they are not alone and certainly not forgotten. We will continue to support anyone arrested or imprisoned as a result of demos, riots, direct action and escalating class war. Rulers and their tools of repression don’t always have it all their way: many people evade “justice”, don’t get caught, win in court, get cases dropped, successfully challenge punitive bail conditions and sue the police for abuse of power. We believe that real solidarity between us gets results and can keep us all safe and strong, free and fighting on.

For up to date prisoner lists see:

bristolabc.wordpress.com

Letters can be a lifeline to break the isolation and boredom of prison life.

Email: bristolarresteesupport@riseup.net
Phone: 07746741104

Show your solidarity & support – some things you can do
- spread the word that support is available, distro the poster above and the info below. If anyone you know is in trouble get them to contact BDS, or contact BDS on their behalf.
- if you have friends in trouble then help them out practically, emotionally and physically. Go to the police station and court with them. Write to people remanded or sent to prison – check out our prisoner list, on the main page, for more information about them.
- counter the media & police hysteria and spin. Argue the points online  at websites such as Bristol Indymedia and Bristol Evening Post. Keep an eye on the police website, and on Bristol Indymedia for legal updates.
- put on a fundraiser/benefit night for BDS. Funds are used to print up info; help people & their families with travel expenses; send money into prisoners; and so on. Contact BDS if you can make a donation.
- take action to support defendants…insert your own ideas here!

Legal briefings & resources
1. No Comment – the defendants guide to arrest. Download and read it now –   No_Comment_2011 (pdf).
Always say No Comment before, during and after any police interview. Avoid duty solicitors – get your own. Demand your phonecall if arrested – call BDS (Ring Sam Elliot on number above), a friend, or a decent solicitor. Never snitch on other people, don’t brag and don’t gossip.
2. The Activist Legal Project has produced some excellent resources. The Green & Black Cross has a page of briefings & resources. Legal Defence & Monitoring Group also provide useful info. Have a good look at them before and after any actions or street protests you may be involved in. All also provide links to other resources.
3. Police photos of alleged protesters – if you or someone you know thinks they recognise one of the photos published by the cops, don’t panic! Read this article by Fitwatch before you do anything. It was written after the London student protests in late 2010, but the same principles apply here in Bristol.
4. Preparing for Prison – being sent to prison is shit, even worse you are now a captive of one of your worst enemies, the state. But don’t let the bastards grind you down. Be prepared. Read these guides, but remember they are only guides, not the ‘law’, and the rules for courts and prisons do change all the time, often on the whim of those in authority. Read on:
PreparingforPrison (pdf) – a short guide for anyone who may be sent to prison, written by 2 anti-fascists sent down for 21 months in summer 2011.
The Partners’ Guide to Prison  (pdf)  – written by the partners of some of the anti-fascists sent down in the summer of 2011. This is a guide for the partners of male prisoners, and whilst some parts will apply to the partners of female prisoners, note that womens prisons can be quite different.
HMP – A Survival Guide (web link with pdf & other info to download) – a useful 28 page guide written by a former prisoner. Please note that decisions & behaviours of different prisons do vary, as every prison governor treats their prison like a personal fiefdom. Never trust a prison governor, nor a screw!

Useful solicitors
Based on previous experience and/or because they are known to be representing Stokes Croft defendants, the following solicitors are worth checking out if you need one. (Please note that no solicitor firms are formally involved with or employed by BDS, and vice versa.)

1. Aidan Woods & Co solicitors, 238 Stapleton Road, Bristol, BS5 0NT
Tel: 01179522006 (24hr)
2. Bindmans solicitors (in London) – will help Stokes Croft defendants. Also have experience of suing cops for wrongful arrest.
Tel: 0207 833 4433 or main contact is Mike Schwarz at m.schwarz@bindmans.com
3. Niall Arnall solicitors, 11 Cotham Road South, Bristol BS6 5TZ
Tel: 01179098898
4. Paul Stevens & Co Solicitors, 48 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8BH
Tel: 01179429308 and main contact is Nicola Smailes
5. Price & Co solicitors (Stephanie Price) – renowned for suing the cops we hear, but may not take on legal aid cases. Try for ‘no win no fee.’
16 Hotwell Rd, Bristol BS8 4UD
Tel: 01179494144
6. Sansbury Douglas solicitors, 116 Grosvenor Rd, St Pauls BS2 8YA OR 6 Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 5HH
Tel: 01179552663 (24 hr) or 0117 926 5341 (city centre office).

Bristol prisoners
If you know of anyone on remand/sentenced to prison following the Stokes Croft incidents (or other disturbances), and they want/need support, contact BDS now.
If you can help support prisoners, by writing or making a donation for example, then please contact BDS now for more details.
See also ‘Preparing for Prison‘ above under ‘resources‘.
Useful Info: HMP Bristol – prison regime info. HMP Channings Wood – prison regime info. General Inside Prison Info.
Need help writing to a prisoner? Read this (pdf) – writing to prisoners
Contact BDS: bristolarresteesupport[at]riseup.net or ring Sam Elliot on 07746741104