Thessaloniki 4 appeal decision imminent

Court decision likely on 31 January / Bristol fundraiser on Saturday 5 February

The appeal by the Thessaloniki 4 against their sentences is likely to conclude on Monday 31 January, in Greece. The 4 face sentences of at least 5 to 8 years in a Greek prison if the appeal fails. Their alleged crimes occurred during protests in Thessaloniki in June 2003 against an EU summit. Background info here and here.

Prisoner support newsletter and updates

January 2011 finds us enthused by recent events around the world that point to the coming year as being a potentially significant one in the struggle against capital and oppression. Events in Belarus, Algeria and a little more successfully in Tunisia, show that many ordinary people can only be pushed so far before fighting back. Despite 2 decades of dictatorship and tightly controlled police states, and despite the consequences of resisting, people in these 3 countries have shown amazing bravery and determination.

We remain enthused by the actions of students and youth in late 2010 across the UK, into Italy, and spreading across Europe, giving a small indication that the ongoing 2 year rebellion in Greece is slowly spreading an anti-capitalist virus that the state has no final antidote to. Encouraging in these struggles have been displays of solidarity with people arrested, and a very fast learning curve amongst protesters of the need for legal info & support.

Major political trials start in Greece

The 14 and 17 January sees the start of 3 major political trials in Greece, in one instance dating back to events over 7 years ago. In the face of widespread radical opposition and street protests, the right-wing Greek state appears determined to try and lock up as many radicals as it can, while it still can.

Jock Palfreeman appeal trial continues 19 January

New public statement issued by Jock!

Jock’s appeal against his sentencing/convictions for murder and attempted murder continued late into December 2010. His next court date is set for 19 January in Sofia, Bulgaria, when the judge is likely to hear pleas from both sides before retiring to consider his verdict – which may take a month or two?

Solidarity fundraiser for Bristolian anti-fascist

Bristol’s self-sustaining DIY fundraising activists put on another important cracker this Friday, 10 December, in support of local comrades facing charges from recent anti-fascist actions.

So whether you’re into the music, or not, come on down to show some solidarity, you can always have a good drink and natter out the back! The strength of our movement can in many ways be measured by the solidarity we show to those friends and comrades facing repression, let’s not let them down!

This little gem has been put together by ‘Inna Minute Innit Presents’…

Jock Palfreeman appeal news

According to a report from Moscow ABC, Jock’s appeal case continued in court in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 11 November with 2 witnesses re-questionned by the judge.

However the case was then adjourned again until 25 November, because 3 other witnesses due to be re-questionned did not appear in court. They include 2 cops (!), and a member of the gang who attacked Jock, who is now fortuitously studying abroad! We await news as to whether the case did in fact continue on the 25th?

Jock got 20 years for acting in self-defence in late 2007, when he went to the aid of 2 Roma youth being attacked by a gang of right-wingers, and was himself attacked. More background info here.

At least 10 arrested as thousands wrongfoot cops in Bristol

[Update 1/12 – MP’s to vote at Parliament on the fee increases & other relevant changes on Thursday 9 December. Mass protest London & locally 9 December. Day of action against fees and cuts on 8 December. Further Bristol protests 4 and 5 December.]

Several thousand students, schoolkids and supporters marched, ran and charged around Bristol for about 5 or 6 hours today in the latest protests against rises in university fees and cuts to benefits such as EMA.

Police lines and attempts to kettle protesters were breached multiple times as the up-for-it crowd led cops a merry dance around town. At one point in mid-afternoon as the crowd surged once more into Broadmead and Carboot Circus, it seemed as if the cops just gave up for a while. However the crowd was more exhuberant and joyous, than destructive, and did not attack these temples of consumerism. Later as the numbers dwindled up near Bristol Uni, the cops tried it on and made a number of arrests, resulting in a solidarity demo outside Trinity police station. Good reports on Bristol Indymedia, keep checking their newswire. The UWE occupation continues, Bristol UNI students have an AGM coming up, and LibDem MP and pledge-breaker Stephen Williams faces a protest on Friday.

Legal and practical advice for revolting students and supporters

Don’t forget those students and youth arrested so far!

Hot on the heels of the effective mass protests on 24 November across the UK, a further ‘national day of action’ against students fees increases & cuts across public services has been announced – Tuesday 30 November, meet 11am at College Green. Details here, here, and on Yuk-Facebook (for Bristol).

 

Revolting youth take central Bristol

Here is a fine report on the 24 November Bristol protest, and here a statement from the successful occupation of Bristol Uni student union. Meanwhile the occupation at UWE continues. Here is an interesting comment on the violence on demos debate. Here is a good article on the recent history of the policing of protests.

Arrests mount but Dutch squatters escalate actions against squatting ban

On October 1 in Holland a ban on squatting was controversially introduced, making it technically illegal. For many years Holland has been perceived as a liberal nation in its attitudes to issues such as squatting, dope and sex workers. But like many European nations, recent years have seen the state moved further to the right by its political masters, and the peoples’ gains from previous cultural and class battles slowly eroded.

October 2nd -around 600 people demonstrate in Nijmegen against the squatting ban. Confrontations with the police. 13 people get arrested.

The ban on squatting has provoked serious anger. It has been confronted on a number of levels – on the street, in the courts, and of course by squatting more empty houses. There have been quite a few arrests, and a number of squatters who have refused to give the cops their identities have been remanded in prison awaiting a court date, whilst some others have received sentences such as ‘community service’! A report has been published listing a variety of actions and protests during the period October 1 to November 14. Read the timeline of actions report, which includes a number of links.

Callout for Solidarity with the Thessaloniki 4

Beaten Up, Fitted Up, Don’t Let Them Get Banged Up

Over a hundred people were arrested after a demonstration confronting the European Union summit, held in Thessaloniki in Greece back in 2003. Seven people were imprisoned and held on remand, including UK protester Simon Chapman. The prisoners began a hunger strike that lasted more than 50 days.

A massive worldwide solidarity campaign followed including demonstrations, direct action and occupations leading to all seven being released on bail (archive of solidarity actions). All the charges were eventually dropped.

Years later after appeals from the Prosecutor the charges were reinstated. The first case finally came before the Courts in January 2008 where Simon Chapman and three of the other defendants – Suleiman “Kastro” Dakdouk (Syrian origin), Fernando Perez Gorraiz (Spain) and Michaelis Triakapis (Greece) – were found guilty.

Cops plant black rucksack filled with petrol bombs on Chapman after he'd been beaten up

All of those accused maintain their innocence and video and photographic evidence clearly shows police planting a rucksack filled with petrol bombs next to Simon. This didn’t stop him receiving a prison sentence of more than eight years, with the other defendants all receiving over five years.

They will now face the Appeal Court again in January 2011,