Following revelations that Strathclyde Police attempted to plant paid informants within the aviation direct action group, Plane Stupid, (1), the Green Party is calling for a halt to police tactics that intimidate and deter people from joining peaceful protest groups around the country.
Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party and MEP for the South East of England, said: "These revelations today are sinister and shocking, and come at a time when public confidence in police tactics is at rock bottom. At a time when there is already concern and controversy over policing of the climate camp at Kingsnorth, the G20 protests, and the mass arrests near Nottingham, it is clear that a review of police tactics is long overdue. The police should not be obstructing our right to peacefully protest."
She continued: "We should make it abundantly clear that intimidation, infiltration and bribery are not legitimate means of policing non-violent protest. We need a police force which understands the vital democratic right to peaceful protest, which acts proportionately, and which can be held properly accountable."
The Green Party is calling for a commitment by police to halt:
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Notes for Editors:
1) http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/04/25/cop-watch-cops-caught-trying-bribe-plane-stupid-activist
3) Denis O'Connor, the Chief inspector of constabulary told MPs on the Commons home affairs select committee that it was "utterly unacceptable [for police] to be not wearing their numerals" on the G20 protests: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/21/police-protest-id-numbers