This is such a powerful shot from Ryuichi Hirokwara.
His subject is war. He graphically captures the horrors and realities of war…..
Monthly Archives: April 2009
Welcome to cyber mob rule….
So many websites, so little time….
If you are after cheap insurance you click on confused.com. If you want to compare supermarket food prices you have a peak at price checker.co.uk.
And if you want to check out details of punishments given to criminals in your local area…then now you can. You will be a couple of clicks away from finding out that information.
Jack Straw, head of that inglorious Orwellian department Ministry of Justice, counters criticism by literally saying that you commit the crime, you do the time, don’t be surprise you are on this pilot website…..(NL loves their pilot schemes!)
“There has to be consequences,” he said. “If they feel slightly ashamed then they will realise that doing community punishment is not a soft option and they will be less likely to come back”.
Where do you start in condemning this wholesale attack on civil liberties? Are Jacqui Smith and Jack Straw arguing for ye olde mob law, pitchforks and lit torches hunting down people who have committed crimes by dishing out some rough justice? This is totally obscene. Are we going to get a re-run of Paulsgrove?
These proposals are a continuum of attacks, along with the offensive modern day branding with offenders wearing high visibility vests with the words ‘Community Payback’ emblazoned. Where will it stop? Next stop stocks in the town centre? Witch hunts Salem style?
Oh so lets carry on humiliating and demeaning people and the bloody irresponsibility of NL by letting people seek retributive ‘justice’. This measure is nothing more than ye olde fashion branding, degradation and vigilantism. And the continued erosion of democracy.
Aren’t people allowed to move on with their lives? What about miscarriages of justice? What about people who may have moved into the same house that someone previously, with a criminal conviction, had lived?
As the organisation Justice states: There is a danger innocent people may get attacked, such as those that move into the home of a former criminal or share the same name as one.
This is an appalling and incendiary move by NL as they are lighting the touch paper……
A public consultation on the website ends on July 31……..
Art of powerlessness
It was similar to a police interview room. Grey anonymous drab interiors with no windows, just artificial light, tape recorders and a CCTV camera in the corner. Indeed I know they are ‘just doing their job’ constructing a case, which involves building a narrative for the day in question, giving context and even examining the peripherals. But why did I feel vulnerable and exposed with an overwhelming feeling of shabbiness that I was somehow in the wrong?
Yesterday morning I had an interview with the IPCC and my witness statement. It had a similar legalistic method as giving a police statement (done that in the past). Yes, the IPCC go into rigorous detail and seemingly scrupulous as well. But going in there with a less than zero belief that justice will prevail made me even more nervous. And with the added stress of being interviewed by someone in authority. I didn’t walk away feeling I had done my duty or whatever instead I felt overwhelmingly powerless and to be honest, I wasn’t consciously aware of that until I sat down in a coffee shop afterwards. They asked me questions, which seemed intrusive and politicalised questioning (why did you attend the demonstrations of the 1st and 2nd April?).
I had written down the events of that day on the 2nd April pretty immediately when I returned home as I know it is good to get your account down for legal purposes and also memory has a tendency to erode.
I probably should have (and am annoyed with myself) that I didn’t question their questions but part of me wanted to answer that it was my ‘democratic right’ to protest though part of me was half tempted to resort to sarcasm. Was that question based on context or was it politicalised? I was questioned in what can be described in a neutral and banal manner that seemed innocuous on the surface but there still resonated an enormous power imbalance. It felt like I had to explain myself. They weren’t hostile or horrible, opposite, friendly and likeable, but I still felt powerless afterwards. Emotionally wrought. And critical of myself for letting them penetrate my core being and feeling I should have been braver or stronger, that I should be immune to this, wiser, harder and organised. Though human as well.
When telling people this experience they have asked whether I went by myself. I did. I was resolute and defiant, to a certain degree, that I could do this by myself. I mean, I am a trade unionist have represented members at different levels, advocated on others behalf with various agents of state. What difference would this be? I think when you are representing yourself, it is hard, and I wished I had taken someone with me. And then again, my own anxieties and insecurities woulda kicked in that meant I must be a real wimp to not be able to do this.
It is difficult writing this as I still feel weird and exposed, those muddle feelings that I am still unpicking and trying to express. Being asked to go into details about an event in every detail was psychologically and emotionally tiring. I felt shattered and emotionally low.
I am also concerned that writing this I may put people off but that is not my intention. Kinda just want to let off my own steam (Ah, talking of steam, I was asked, ‘What is your understanding of kettling’?) and working out my own feelings as I have never done this before. Other people may have better or worse experiences, I don’t know, I can’t gauge.
Do I wish I hadn’t gone to the IPCC? Non, je ne regrette rien. But I found it hard but I am talking about my own personal experience and recollection. Like I said, I was unsure whether to write about it as part of me wanted to forget about it. But I won’t though.
All I will say is I wished I had taken someone with me (and to be honest, as a trade union activist I woulda advised that as well).
This was plaguing my mind as I marched along with other folk on the Workers’ Memorial Day demonstration. I kinda felt distracted and preoccupied though the things swirling inside my mind were linked and interconnected politically. Listening to the speakers at the rally the issues of injustice and powerlessness came to the forefront of my mind because only being too aware of how little consequence people truly are and devalued. How much is placed on the value of human life? What is the human cost? Why are some deaths more relevant and more important than others? Whether it is the Princess of Hearts or the recent beatification of a reality TV star. But then I know the answer, powerless/powerful and where you are in the social and political pecking order.
Others aren’t afforded the same importance or recognition, globally many people die in the workplace, circumstances are horrific and appalling yet their deaths are invisible, anonymous, faceless and go unheard. And for me, it is the bravery and defiance of family and friends who challenge this silence and fight for justice, along with trade union activists, who get my support, admiration and respect as it an uphill struggle.
Yesterday, I felt spaced out, tired and a bit zombified. Nothing made sense and things seemed beyond comprehension. I mean, even the tube map wasn’t making sense with all those lines interconnecting, I just stared blankly at it hoping the information would sink in for my brain to absorb but no…. And then I heard this female voice saying, ‘Can I help you madam’? I carried on vacantly looking at this map trying to translate the words, and trying to snap myself out of this inertia. I also thought the voice probably belonged to WPC Plod, and I mused that knowing the agenda of NL, they had probably brought in legislation where it was an offence to ‘loiter’ in front of a tube map whether with intent or not. Anyway, I turned to where the voice was coming from…and it was a friendly Underground member of staff who was trying to help….
She asked me where I was going and I replied. Then asked me whether I knew where I was going after I got there.
‘No, not really. I don’t know where I am going to be frank’…. But then I was thinking of a different destination.
Sorry if this is a bit fractured and disorganised but that kinda reflects the state of my mind at this point in time.
Drug addiction proposals and right to a private life….
… these proposals [should be] deleted from the Bill, unless clear evidence is provided to support the Government’s view that the interference proposed with the right to respect for private life is necessary and will be accompanied by appropriate safeguards.
In any event, we consider that the Bill should be amended to remove (a) the potential for drug testing subject to be undertaken subject to sanction; (b) the power to direct individuals to undergo specific treatment subject to sanction and (c) the proposals in the Bill for extensive information sharing regulations, particularly the proposal for Job Centre Plus officials to pass information gathered under these provisions onto third parties.
So says the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in regards to the clause in the Welfare Reform Bill on drug addiction. They highlight Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – that provides for a right to respect for private and family life and this specific clause contravenes that.
The report also questions the legitimacy, justification and the proportionality. This clause is an attack on civil liberties as it is intrusive, oppressive and seeks nothing more than to punish people through pernicious sanctions. The same should be applied to Purnell’s draconian proposals on alcohol addiction.
After much scrutinising, I assume the rest of the Bill is compatible with human rights as the Committee don’t really question other aspects of the Bill and even give luke warm endorsement! On, for example, ‘work for your benefits’ they state:
We consider that changes to welfare support designed to meet the right to social security and the right to an adequate standard of living should be supported by evidence. We are concerned by the suggestions that the Government’s proposals are not supported by their own comparative research. We welcome the Government’s decision to pilot its “Work for your benefit” programme before its proposals are rolled out on a wider scale. We recommend that the pilots should monitor the implications of the proposals for individual rights, including the right to respect for an adequate standard of living, the right to respect for private and family life and the right to enjoyment of those rights without discrimination.
Workers’ Memorial Day: Remember the dead, fight for the living
Statue of the Unknown Worker - Tower Hill
So it seems that Workers Memorial Day may be officially recognised.
Mr Ritchie, added; “Ideally the Government will decide to mark the day with a bank holiday. However the organisation of a minute’s silence and greater encouragement for services and events to mark the day within workplaces would also be an important step forward.”
Workers Memorial Day is a particularly poignant day for UCATT. Construction is the most dangerous industry in Britain. In 2007/8 72 construction workers were killed. No figures are yet available for this year.
We started the march from the statue of the unknown worker at Tower Hill, stopped for a two minutes silence at a construction site to remember two workers who had died within the past couple of weeks. We then continued to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) at Rose Court, London, where we were joined by workers in the HSE, members of PCS and Prospect.
Construction workers at the site where two workers died
Then we marched to City Hall for the rally. Speakers from Unite, CWU, GMB, UCATT, Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group, and Fack (Families Against Corporate Killers).
Outside HSE
Some links:
“Nearly one fifth of deaths in the construction industry in 2007/2008 involved migrant workers”
Ucatt report: Deaths ‘disproportionately far higher’ at small firms
Bereaved families want justice and safer workplaces
Centre for Corporate Accountability
Corporate Manslaughter Act will not save a single construction worker’s life
From the excellent Hazards magazine:
£2 fine: Life can be especially cheap in the workplace
Ewa Jasiewicz on Gaza
I must admit I am finding it difficult to describe, to put into words, how I felt while listening to Ewa Jasiewicz talk about Gaza, it is beyond shock, it beyond comprehension, it is beyond disgust. Overwhelmed with emotion, along with anger, is how I felt listening to Ewa testimony of being in Gaza for the past couple of months. During the bombardment in January I regularly posted up her articles on this blog and so it was an honour to hear her speak.
She spoke about how the siege in Gaza is impacting on the people there. Medicine such as treatments for cancer are banned (something about the isotopes). Supplies are not getting through so people are resorting to the tunnels. A number of fishermen and farmers have been arrested, boats have been attacked by the Israeli military such as shooting live ammunition at them and attacking their nets.
And the Israeli State has widened the buffer zone in Gaza! People who try to get back to their houses to rescue personal items are shot at, some killed. Ewa spoke of a woman who was kneecapped by a sniper, she was trying to get back to her home that had been bulldozed. The eastern Gaza Strip is a no go area. The land is being confiscated or being rendered unusable (effects of white phosphorus). Approximately 40-60% of the land has been destroyed.
People are therefore displaced, this in turn fractures support and family networks.
Ewaspoke of the plight of paramedics, frontline workers, courageous people, around 16 were killed during the bombardment. They were deliberately targeted (which is against international law…well, when did that ever bother the Israeli State?!?!). Ambulances shelled by F16 missiles. Paramedics have witnessed the impact of white phosphorus, sniper fire, missiles, tanks and other artillery on civilians (who were also deliberately targeted and which is also against international law but again, when did that ever stop the Israeli State?!?!)
Paramedics don’t have basic equipment, they don’t have torches, for example, so searching for people is problematic. Very few bullet proof vests or reflective vests. The paramedics are trying to form a trade union and they need our support and solidarity.
Prisoners were used as human shields. Many have no legal rights as they are deemed ‘unlawful combatants’, the Israeli State have set up a mini Guantamo including the orange uniforms for prisoners. These prisoners are political prisoners. The prison population is growing, it may be weaker but it is a united one as the prisoners work together.
This totally brutal frenzied violent bombardment of the Palestinians in Gaza can only be described as genocide. The military precision to target civilians can only be described as war crimes, deliberate escalation of violence, a policy to terrorise and traumatise a population. People, traumatised, witnessing members of their family and friends being wiped out. Half of the hospitals in Gaza were hit, around 60 mosques were targeted, 5 were destroyed.
Kinship and support networks have been undermined. A sense of isolation and abandonment prevails. A mental health project in Gaza said that people would feel less traumatised if they knew justice was possible through accountability.
Children are the worst affected, drawings that depict violence highlights the visual trauma. Loss of appetite, sleep, grades slipping at school and aggression.
At the end of her talk I was numb, words failed me. The Palestinians need our support and solidarity. I think Ewa will be speaking at various events over the next 3 weeks before she goes back to Gaza, if you get the chance go listen to what she has to say about Israel’s war crimes against the people of Gaza.
G20 death: smoke and mirrors
Interesting article by Nick Davies regarding the media’s role in reporting the G20 protests and the death of Ian Tomlinson. Or should that be reporting the line given by the cops..? Cops ‘good’, protesters ‘bad’……
What about accountability, transparency and the truth? As opposed to spin, lies and cover-ups……
Maybe seeing the cops in all their violent technicolour ‘best’ will make people question this behaviour as opposed to the usual lies backed up by the media in asserting that it is the protesters who are ‘violent’ and ‘anti-social’ while the cops are just ‘doing their job’ in maintaining order.
But then again, maybe not. The right-wing are still arguing that the cops did a ‘fantastic job’ regarding the G20 protests. And therefore trying to maintain their own order.
Maybe people will start to question the role of the cops and the issue of accountability. And that they are not a law unto themselves.
Wanted
Wanted:
Someone other than a smug sneery NL apparatchik with an eye for draconian legislation to live in a swanky duplex all mod cons flat with a swish roof terrace that overlooks Covent Garden…. Who won’t leave splash marks on the wall, coffee and wine stains everywhere and won’t leave the flat to resemble a pigsty……
And your name aint James Purnell….
The police: nothing much changes…
To enforce public order the police, rather than the army, were used increasingly to break up political meetings in London and to spy on working class movements. One such movement was the National Political Union of the Working Classes….
In the same year (1833) a Select Committee of the House of Commons was set up to investigate the infiltration of a police spy into the meetings of one of the NPU’s branches.
(from The Political Police in Britain – Tony Bunyan)
Undercover police are running a network of hundreds of informants inside protest organisations who secretly feed them intelligence in return for cash, according to evidence handed to the Guardian.
They claim to have infiltrated a number of environmental groups and said they are receiving information about leaders, tactics and plans of future demonstrations.
The dramatic disclosures are revealed in almost three hours of secretly recorded discussions between covert officers claiming to be from Strathclyde police, and an activist from the protest group Plane Stupid, whom the officers attempted to recruit as a paid spy after she had been released on bail following a demonstration at Aberdeen airport last month.
So the undercover police were using debt as a lever to get information about protesters and organisations.
Another day another cop ‘boasts’ about “the unwashed getting a good kicking” ….
And more complaints about police brutality regarding the G20 protests are being received by the IPCC (and lets just hope they interview the police officers concerned as opposed to spending their time trying to block video from Channel 4!). Lawyers are collecting details from protesters who sustained injuries from the police during the G20 protests.
Bindmans is also preparing to launch a legal challenge against the use of “kettling”, the police tactic used to pen in 5,000 people during the G20 protests and a strategy which led to protesters suffering asthma and panic attacks. John Halford, a partner in Bindmans, said that the firm had held talks with Climate Camp legal advisers on Friday to prepare to launch a judicial review against the containment of protesters.
The 2009 judgement from the House of Lords regarding the ‘kettling’ at the May Day demo on 2001:
37. If measures of this kind are to avoid being prohibited by the Convention therefore it must be by recognising that they are not within the ambit of article 5(1) at all. In my opinion measures of crowd control will fall outside the area of its application, so long as they are not arbitrary. This means that they must be resorted to in good faith, that they must be proportionate and that they are enforced for no longer than is reasonably necessary.
This is Article 5 (1)
1.Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be deprived of his liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure prescribed by law.
The courts like the rest of the establishment are wary of attacking the police as this judgement shows. If the law represents everybody then we should be able to bring anyone to account. That includes the cops!
South Africa: the revolution betrayed
One of the first major political campaigns I was ever involved in was the anti-apartheid movement during the 1980s. The experience developed my political consciousness and knowledge. I met many activists over from South Africa who were involved in the ANC, COSATU, SWAPO. So I have kept a watching brief on the political situation in South Africa.
The ANC, under the leadership of Jacob Zuma has won the elections. During the last decade and a half the ANC has championed neo-liberalism in South Africa. The transnational corporations whose involvement in apartheid era South Africa made a shrewd move in their charm offensive towards the ANC in the 1980′s under the eye of the British Tory government.
The result has been that for the South African masses democracy has been economic misery and not the chance to govern their society in their own interests. The revolution in South Africa was betrayed.
The SACP (South African Communist Party) capitulated to the pro-capitalist ANC who continues the neo-liberal agenda. As apartheid surrendered the Soviet Union imploded and neo-liberalism entered its triumphant phase. The ANC leadership embraced the then “new world order” and sacrificed the masses who had brought it to power to predations of global capitalism.
