Witness Callout – Bristol Antifascist Protest (October 2015)

Were you at College Green on 17th October 2015? Several people were arrested and we need to find witnesses for the defence.

If you saw any what happened during any of the arrests, please call Bristol Defendant Solidarity on 077467 41104, or email bristoldefendantsolidarity (at) riseup.net

Please share this callout!

Important Advice for Anarchists Travelling To/From the UK

Police in the UK are allowed to question anyone entering/leaving the country about “terrorism” – without the right to silence. We have spoken to a number of anarchists who have been questioned under these powers, known as “Schedule 7”. Because of a lack of information on the law, most of those stopped have given more information than they had to. This includes people from outside of the UK who have not even heard of “Schedule 7” before. For this reason, we strongly recommend any anarchists travelling to/from the UK read our briefing beforehand – https://bristolabc.wordpress.com/defendant-solidarity/resources-and-advice/schedule-7/.

If you have been questioned under “Schedule 7”, please contact the Network for Police Monitoring, so they can keep track of how the police are using this power. Website: https://netpol.org; Email: info (at) netpol.org

Call for witnesses and footage from arrest on Saturday

From Bristol Defendant Solidarity:

During the anti-EDL mobilisation in Bristol on Saturday 14th July, a white male of medium build 5f 9” blonde short hair wearing a grey hoody, blue grey jeans, and red boots, was arrested near Redcliffe Bridge (Redcliffe side) around 2:30pm approximately.

The EDL were marching over the bridge, while there was a group of around 50 anti-fascists being held back by police, and possibly cordoned off. The individual was then jumped on by several police officers and later charged with section 6 of the public order act and two counts of assault pc. He has since pled not guilty.

One of the assault pc charges was from between half an hour and an hour before, on the Waterfront by Redcliffe Bridge, while police were pushing against a crowd of anti-fascist protesters. The defendant is accused of dragging a police officer into the crowd. The other charges were from the time of the arrest.

We are in need of witness statements, video footage, and any information, which would help towards a defence in court for trial. Please contact bristolarresteesupport[at]riseup.net or phone 07746741104 if you can help.

Call for witnesses and footage from arrest on Saturday

Anti-fascists clash with police on Redcliffe Way over English Defense League march in Bristol

From Bristol Defendant Solidarity:

During the anti-EDL mobilisation in Bristol on Saturday 14th July, a white male of medium build 5f 9” blonde short hair wearing a grey hoody, blue grey jeans, and red boots, was arrested near Redcliffe Bridge (Redcliffe side) around 2:30pm approximately.

The EDL were marching over the bridge, while there was a group of around 50 anti-fascists being held back by police, and possibly cordoned off. The individual was then jumped on by several police officers and later charged with section 6 of the public order act and two counts of assault pc. He has since pled not guilty.

One of the assault pc charges was from between half an hour and an hour before, on the Waterfront by Redcliffe Bridge, while police were pushing against a crowd of anti-fascist protesters. The defendant is accused of dragging a police officer into the crowd. The other charges were from the time of the arrest.

We are in need of witness statements, video footage, and any information, which would help towards a defence in court for trial. Please contact bristolarresteesupport[at]riseup.net or phone 07746741104 if you can help.

New bust cards from Bristol Defendant Solidarity

Click here for x4 double sided printing

Legal information for demos:

• Everything you say can be used in evidence against you or others.
• There are no “friendly” chats with the police. They cannot be trusted. Avoid contact and conversation with them.
• Stop and search – Before a search you must be told the name and station of the searching officer, the reason you are being searched and what power you are being searched under.
• You can be arrested if you refuse to be searched and they can use reasonable force to search you.
• You do not have to give your name and address or answer questions under any stop and search power (unless driving). However, if you are reasonably believed to be committing anti-social behaviour you can be required to give your name and address to a uniformed police officer under s50 of the Police Reform Act 2002.
• Police have the power to demand the removal of masks under 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
• If you witness an arrest – Write down the name of the person arrested, where they were arrested, what for and any other relevant information.

Contact Bristol Defendant Solidarity with information and if you can be a witness. Be careful what you say on the phone. We can arrange a meeting.

Learn about the law. Know your rights and police powers if you think you may get arrested. For further information see ldmg.org.uk. www.activistslegalproject.org.uk

If arrested:

• Don’t panic. You’re not alone and it’s not the end of the world!
• You have the right to know why you are being arrested.
• Note the number(s) of your arresting officer(s), if possible.
• Tell someone the name you will give to the police so you can be located later at the police station.
• You still have the right to silence. Just say “No comment” to all questions.
• Whatever the police say, there is no legal requirement to talk to them.
• You don’t have to give any information to the police after arrest, but if you don’t give a verifiable name and address it will delay your release.
• You will be searched and police are entitled to take photo, fingerprints and DNA sample of anyone arrested (by “reasonable force” if necessary).
• If you have any injuries, ask for an independent doctor to record and photograph them.

You have the right to free legal advice at the police station. Avoid using the duty solicitor. Here are two local firms with experience of representing people arrested on demos:

SANSBURY DOUGLAS : 0117 9552663

NIALL ARNALL : 0117 9098898

You have the right to read your rights from the PACE code of practice. You have the right to have someone (as well as your solicitor) notified that you have been arrested.

Please contact Sam Elliot from Bristol Defendant Solidarity so we can keep track of arrests and arrange support. Let BDS know when you are released.

SAM ELLIOT (BDS) : 07746 741104

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Resistrance. A benefit for defendant solidarity in Bristol

Here’s the full details of the massive political party planned for Saturday 3 December in Bristol, with all proceeds going to maintain the work of Bristol Defendant Solidarity in supporting those arrested and/or imprisoned following the disturbances earlier this year in Stokes Croft and elsewhere. Organised and hosted by Resistrance, Kebele Sound, Next2Nothing and friends…

BDS info

Letter From Uk Comrade Huw ‘badger’ Norfolk From Clandestinity

Expressions of support for Bristol anarchist Huw ‘Badger’ Norfolk have been growing since he published an open letter online last month. The letter first appeared on an international solidarity website and has since been linked to numerous other sites, before being front paged on the Bristol Indymedia site on 22 October (and also therefore showing on the UK Indymedia newswire).

Here’s the text from his communiqué:
1st communication October 2011. An open letter to whoever wants to be concerned.

Two months have passed since the police execution of Mark Duggan tipped the already-fragile balance of power in the UK, unlocking an orgy of defiance across this island. A well of frustrations finally boiled over and the system was left reeling by a determined insurrection from a wide range of people. Following these days and nights of brazen attacks in Bristol (as in other places) a house is raided in a police and media orchestrated scene as part of their revenge operation for the blows they have both received in the uprising – they leave without the hostage they sought there, but I am made aware by their blunder that I am on their wanted list.

Two months have now passed of successful evasion, and meanwhile the winds of insurgency still blow in many towns and moments – indeed, for many they started long before this summer. There have also been at least two more deaths at the hands of the Law in August alone…

Resistrance prezentza Riotous Assembly

RESISTRANCE returns on 3 December bringing ya an all-nighter to remember!

Band lineup so far includes: A0S3; Autonomads; Cop on Fire; Spanner; No Choice; Primeval Soup.
Plus at least 2 rooms of DJ’s and crews, and much much more TBC.

All monies raised go directly to support Bristol Defendant Solidarity.
Hosted by Resistrance, Kebele Sound, Next2Nothing & Friends: “Big shout out to the Bristol Old School. This is a Resistrance rallying cry to all radical ravers, partying punkers n serious skankers out there – lets have a political party!!! Recent events in Stokes Croft have persuaded us here at Resistrance HQ to drag our sorry arses out of retirement for a one-off riotous rave-up in aid of the Stresscos Rebels. We ain’t had it – we’re avin’ it!!”

So keep the night free – full details to follow shortly…

Prisoner List October 2011

The latest list of ‘political prisoners’, compiled by Bristol ABC from a large number of sources, is now available.

As ever the updating of this list is a labour of love in these times of ever growing numbers of comrades sent down, as resistance mounts around the world against the horrors unleashed by the forces of capital and states everywhere. Whilst we endeavour to make sure the information is correct, we could fill a hundred pages and still not include all those who need solidarity & support – and thats without even having the confirmed info from many parts of the world. As it is, in many instances we are now putting in links to sources in other countries for you to follow yourself. Here is the list (updated 25 oct 2011):
As an open office doc – Prisoner list_Oct2011
As a pdf – Prisoner list_Oct2011

For an explanation of the need to support prisoners, and tips on writing to prisoners, see our resources page.
In solidarity with all those locked up and still struggling!

Some guides to help if you face going to prison

Being sent to prison is shit, even worse you are now a captive of one of your worst enemies, the state, so avoid it if you possibly can. But every day more people are being sent to prison, increasingly as a result of the ongoing social conflict between the bosses & politicians, and the rest of us.

Unsurprisingly therefore, the last year has seen a large growth in the number of ‘political activists’ imprisoned, as the state tries to intimidate our social movements. 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: