I visited the Camp Tue. + Wed. + Thu., and witnessed the very intimidating police incursion on Tuesday evening, [reported 17th August on the front page of the "Hounslow Informer"], after they had sent the media packing. On Wed., the police attitude had changed to a charm offensive. On Thu., this was replaced by studiously ignoring anyone visiting the Camp. At a plenary session on Wed., I was surprised that maybe 90% of those present voted against any action that would inconvenience passengers. I returned to the Camp on Sunday at around 11:30. While the behaviour of demonstrators was entirely peaceful, that of police included examples of unbridled violence and aggression. -- The main rally, billed as "fun, family-friendly and suitable for children", set off along Sipson Lane shortly after midday, followed by a troop of police. I found myself in a group with a band, which followed the same route as far as Sipson village. At the small roundabout in the centre of the village, vanloads of police, mostly in riot gear, decided to block our route: so we sat down by the roundabout. Eventually most of the police retreated, without warning, and the group processed back to the Camp: just in time for some of us to join another procession which crossed a bean field towards BAA's HQ. More vanloads of police arrived, installing themselves around the edges of the field. At 2:40 p.m., I witnessed a policeman in a yellow fluorescent jacket [presumably in his late 50's] hit two peaceful demonstrators who approached the boundary fence with his truncheon. Thickset, and breathing heavily from the exertion, he then threatened to hit a third, who was an elderly woman. The number on his shoulder was 8523. Just a few minutes later, a policeman in riot gear, no. XB91, felled another peaceful protester with three vicious blows to the legs using his truncheon. At this point, it appeared that the police in riot gear [with helmets, visors, and circular shields] were all from Surrey, whilst the ones with the yellow fluorescent jackets were from the Met.. At 2:55 I spoke to a young woman sitting on the ground some way from the perimeter of the field. Her head had been bandaged; blood was running down her cheek and throat; more blood was on the field between her legs. She said she had been hit on the top of the head, and on her legs: but she hadn't inspected at her legs for damage. At 3:00, a lone policeman charged towards us on a horse, [still in the bean field]. Before he got to us, the horse stopped abruptly, throwing the rider, and bolting. A demonstrator went to offer help: but the policeman stood up abruptly, as though fearing [quite without cause] that he was about to be attacked. At 3:06 I saw, some yards away in the bean field, several police in riot gear hitting demonstrators with their shields. One of the group was holding a black flag. Two legal observers were close by, and a third was watching from a little further away. At 3:09 the skirmish in the field redoubled, as police were replaced by fresh troops, and the original ones began moving towards me. At 3:13, some demonstrators who had got over the rickety wooden fence at the corner of the field were surrounded by police under a tree. It appeared that they were being shepherded back towards the camp. I followed the police with riot shields, who were aware of my presence. They progressed slowly over the middle of the field. Two policemen in yellow jackets came from the side. One instructed me to go through the line of riot police, to "join my colleagues". Four of the six had lain down in the field: so, following police orders, I lay down too. One of the two demonstrators still standing informed me that the two in yellow had numbers K332 and XD125. He also counted that the seven of us were surrounded by 17 police. At 3:40 we were informed that we were about to be searched under Section 1 of "PACE", in case we had glue or sharp objects that might be used for possible criminal damage. [I have since learnt that this is the "Police and Criminal Damage Act", significantly dated 1984.] The leisurely searching took about half an hour: though not as long as passengers have to wait for flights at Heathrow. The police found nothing: so at 4:09 threatened to charge a member of the group for using the word "gay" in a derogatory manner. As no one had heard the alleged remark, apart from the offended policeman, [who didn't claim to be gay himself], this was not pursued, and the demonstrator returned to the Camp. The police then announced that they would arrest the rest of us: something to do with "breach of the peace". I asked what breach of the peace they feared from a mere handful of us, in the middle of a beanfield: but they had no ready answer. I was carried by four or five policemen, in shifts, to the edge of the field, near the Camp. At 4:39 I was told that I was being dearrested: though no explanation was given. =============================================================== Leaving the camp later, I ran into a local resident and member of NoTRAG [No Third Runway Action Group]. She told me that she had been in the main rally: but that this had also been diverted by police, who attempted to lead them towards the airport, despite protestations that they didn't want to go. Amongst other concerns, the children, who had had drinks before setting off, wanted to go to the toilet: and the parents were also feeling the need. John McDonnell, [MP for Hayes and Harlington], arrived and negotiated with the police. Eventually, around 3 p.m., [three hours after the start of the procession], the police allowed the group to disperse. NoTRAG stalwarts [who have always been opposed to any form of direct action -- despite facing the loss of their homes and community] have reported approval of the Campers, but were complaining today to Sir Ian Blair and Commander Robert Broadhurst about the heavy-handed and vicious policing.
John Hunt ● 6494d