Police accused of breaching civil liberties of G8 campaigners (UK)

[struggle4progress]

<snip> John Scott from the Scottish Human Rights Centre said: "I think it's happening increasingly now. The right for peaceful protest is something that the authorities are resentful of. I think it's an irritation to them."

Frances Curran MSP from the Scottish Socialist Party said: "I think it's a creeping attack on our civil liberties. Bush is coming here and all of a sudden we're finding our democratic rights under threat."

Lesley Rogers said: "The concern so far has been about violent people coming to Gleneagles, well, there are violent people coming to Gleneagles. They come as the leaders of G8." <snip>

http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s1_1_1&newsid=7976


<edit:> Police may use anti-terror powers to hold G8 suspects

PETER RANSCOMBE


ANTI-TERRORISM powers would allow Scottish police to detain suspects for up to seven days during the G8 summit, it emerged yesterday.

Tayside Constabulary will be the first police force in Scotland to be allowed access to the special powers under the Terrorism Act <2000>.

Section 44 of the act gives officers the power to stop and search anyone they consider may pose a security threat, with section 43 allowing them to hold suspects for a period of up to seven days. Specially built cells in Glasgow could be used to house detainees. Army bases in the area, which have been earmarked as detention centres, may also be employed. - will help police identify potential trouble makers at the site. <snip>

"Even David Blunkett, when he was the home secretary, said he had concerns about this legislation. The police already have ample powers without resorting to this." <snip>

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=649952005

[bennywhale]

1. This is a disgrace. The term terrorist is being widened to include anyone

who challenges the government and/or the prevailing system in any way. If you are against policies of the government or the government as a whole and you act on it in any way from peaceful protests through to violence you are categorised the same. The lines are being deliberately blurred to allow increased control and management of the population.

Terrorism legislation being used on protesters is an Orwellian nightmare. Can't wait for satellite tracking and compulsory ID cards.

[Richard Steele]

2. Is it FASCISM yet? n/m

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. It was already used to stop and search arms fair protestors in London

Civil rights campaigners yesterday lost their bid for a high court ruling that anti-terrorism laws were used unlawfully to stop and search demonstrators at an international arms fair in east London.

The challenge was brought against the Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir John Stevens, and the home secretary, David Blunkett, after protesters outside the Excel Centre in the Docklands last month were confronted by officers using special powers under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Scotland Yard initially denied using the legislation but later admitted it had been used in some cases during the £1m policing operation.

Lord Justice Brooke and Mr Justice Maurice Kay said the use of the random stop and search powers and any violation of human rights had been justified in the light of the threat of terrorism. But they did give permission for an appeal to be lodged because of the wide public importance.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1075445,00.html

[recycledindi]

4. dogs and fleas

when you lie down with dogs, etc....