Petition set up by Anti-Racism Protest Defence Campaign - North East

Northumbria Police have cracked down on anti-racist protests in Newcastle, banning Black Lives Matter and associated events everywhere except Times Square, arresting people at anti-racist community events and targeting young Black and Asian men photographed on protests.

We the undersigned demand Kim McGuinness, Newcastle Police and Crime Commissioner; Winton Keenan, Northumbria Police Chief Constable; and Northumbria Crown Prosecution Service:

• Remove any further bans or restrictions on anti racist and Black Lives Matter events
• 
  Stop the racist targeting and harassment of demonstrators
• 
  Drop all charges and end the draconian bail conditions on anti racist activists arrested
• 
  End political policing now – organising against racism is not a crime

 

The Black Lives Matter protests in Newcastle have been hugely important in gathering Black and Asian people and anti racists, not just to express solidarity with the uprisings in the US, but in speaking out against the racism of the British state. Defying media attacks and fascist mobs pelting us with glass bottles, the protests have demanded justice for all those killed with impunity in Britain stating 'the UK is not innocent'.

In response throughout June, Northumbria Police has proscribed anti-racist demonstrations in Newcastle. Black Lives Matter protesters were banned from marching to the West End; now, they have placed an effective ban on all anti-racist mobilisations with the exception of an empty square with no footfall. They have banned anti-racist community events in residential areas in an attempt to stop the movement from building wider support. At least five have been arrested – with harsh bail conditions excluding them from much of the city and prohibiting their assembly with more than five people. Others have been instructed to attend Forth Banks police station for interview based on bogus charges as our peaceful protest was being attacked by glass and smoke flares from the so called 'defenders of Newcastle'.

Police actions have had nothing to do with enforcing public health guidance. They claim that their actions are to prevent 'serious public disorder', conveniently using the violence of racists on 13 June to crack down on Black Lives Matter protests that call into question the systemic racism inherent in British policing. Our human rights are under attack. The police are specifically targeting young Black and Asian men and socialist activists, approaching community centres and voluntary projects to press them to inform on their members. This is political policing.

If you have been summoned to a police station, face charges or have been subject to police harassment as a result of attending Black Lives Matter protests, get in touch. We demand that all charges be dropped and no further action be taken. Together we can defend each other!

Meanwhile we will challenge the proscriptions on anti racist protest in Newcastle and call on all democrats, anti-racists and human rights defenders to join us and support the campaign!

What you can do to help

Donate to help cover court costs: https://www.facebook.com/donate/280308479692415/

Contact us: defendantiracism@gmail.com

Write a statement of support on our wall: https://www.facebook.com/ARPdefencecampaign

Write a letter of complaint to Police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness:
enquiries@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

Write to your MP:
https://www.writetothem.com/