LDMG press statement- 6/09/2013 Outrage at arrests of Legal Observers Five independent Legal Observers were arrested at the UAF and UEE organised demonstration against the EDL in Tower Hamlets on Saturday 7th September 2013. The five were part of a team of 14 Legal Observers organised jointly by the Legal Defence and Monitoring Group (LDMG) and The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers The arrests occurred when about 150 demonstrators who had been kettled in Mansell Street and were entirely peaceful were arrested one by one for alleged breach of Section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986. The five Legal Observers were contained in the kettle and remained to the end to ensure that the protesters were aware of their legal rights on arrest. The coordinators of the Legal Observers were shocked to witness their colleagues’ arrest. Independent Legal Observers are a familiar sight on demonstrations and protests. The Legal Observers were clearly identified by bright orange tabards with the title “Legal Observer” writ large across their backs. The role of independent Legal Observers is to distribute “bust cards” containing basic rights on arrest and solicitors details and to monitor police behaviour. Tony Martin, one of the coordinators of the Legal Observing team said: “The arrest of five Legal Observers is outrageous. Although we have had individual Legal Observers arrested before, this is a very rare occurrence. What is different on this occasion is that the decision was taken at a very senior level of the Metropolitan Police. This is a clear attempt to interfere with freedom of assembly guaranteed by Article 11 of the ECHR and will send shock waves amongst supporters of freedom and justice.” The arrested Legal Observers have been released on police bail and are consulting solicitor’s about their next steps.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 10:48:33 +0000