Opposing the Police Tactic of Arresting the Minibus
From:
Tony greenstein
Date:
May 30 18:02 UTC
Short link
Three times in the past 4 years various Police forces have seized the
Unemployed Centre's minibus on one pretext or another. The real reason has of
course been that being unable (yet) to arrest someone merely for going on a
demonstration (it's coming - don't worry!) they arrest the bus instead.
In Birmingham they did this at the demonstration against Caterkillar, early
this year the same happened at a demonstration outside Agrexco-Carmel in Hayes,
Middlesex which distributes Israeli and West Bank produce. A women's health
collective which borrowed our van was also stopped and had the bus impounded in
Leeds last year.
Of course the Met in particular, having been given powers under New Labour's
SOCPA to prevent any demonstration within a mile of Parliament would like to
extend that to all demonstrations. Failing which they look for any and every
excuse.
The excuse they have seized on is the absurdity whereby anyone with a driving
license before 1st January 2007 needs a D1 license to drive a minibus with more
than 8 seats. Something like a Midas Test. However, looking at the DVLA's own
web site, it appears that the Police have been misinterpreting their own
legislation, because there is a specific allowance for someone who is over 21,
with a driving license for 2 years who is not driving for profit etc.
We have therefore issued proceedings against the Metropolitan Police for
impounding our vehicle in February at Agrexco and rather than allow someone
with the right license to drive it away, decided instead to take it to the Met
Car pound where you have to pay 105 plus 12 per day. Because there was a
massive queue, only 2 booths operating, on this occasion they couldn't even
process credit cards, no toilets etc., we had to come back the next day
incurring yet further charges because the Met likes to make it as difficult as
possible for people.
It would be interesting if people know of other instances where the Police
attack the transport conveying demonstrations in order to harass and prevent
lawful demonstrations against the producers of arms and illegal settlement
produce.
Tony Greenstein
.