Protest under attack, DWP in the mud
Bulletin 02: 20th January 2025
It has been a week. Alongside the desperately needed ceasefire in Gaza (which seems to be holding as I write this), there have been some incredible wins for the movement, as well as some very dark, troubling developments. I’ve tried to make sense of some it below. Let’s get into it…
Attack on our right to protest
In last week’s bulletin (bulletin 01) I wrote about behind the scenes machinations by the Metropolitan police to ban this weekend’s national Palestine demonstration. After the Met banned the original route of the march — starting at the BBC and marching to Whitehall — organisers announced they would instead assemble outside Downing Street and end at the BBC. There was a lot of toing and froing, at one point the police demanded the demonstration form up in Russell Square, threatening to arrest anyone who assembled on Whitehall.
Eventually the police backed down, rescinded their threats of arrests and ‘allowed’ the demonstration to take place outside the heart of government. In the run up to the protest, they retained their threats to arrest anyone who protested outside the BBC.
Even up to the 11th hour, organisers of the march demanded to be allowed to march, but stated if the police retained their threats, they would instead hold a stationary rally. Around 100,000 people filled Whitehall on Saturday. I was proud to attend, alongside my boyfriend, his young children and some of our dearest friends. The atmosphere on the streets, less than 24 hours before the implementation of the ceasefire that many have tirelessly campaigned for for the last 15 months, was determined but jubilant.
Samba bands, drummers and chants filled the air ahead of speeches from a stage just outside of Downing Street. Politicians, life long peace activists, artists, actors, union leaders and holocaust survivors all collated around and on the stage. The full breadth of the movement that has tirelessly come together to demand a ceasefire far before it became fashionable for columnists, politicians and others to rewrite history, on display.
At the end of the speeches, it was announced on stage that they would attempt to march peacefully and silently to the BBC to lay flowers in memory of the children who have been slaughtered by Israel in Gaza. It has been reported that over 18,000 children have been killed since October 7th. The number is likely to be much higher.
According to a joint statement released by the organisers, the march made it’s way up Whitehall to the entrance to Trafalgar Square. Led by a delegation of movement leaders including ex-leader of the Labour Party and independent MP for Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn, and ex-shadow chancellor and Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, John McDonnell.
Footage released by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign clearly shows police encouraging demonstrators to march through their lines into the square. This directly contravenes the lines put out by the Met on social media which stated that the crowd had ‘breached’ police lines, ‘forcing their way through’.
The delegation then made their way through the square, meeting another police line where they were stopped. They formally requested that the delegation — which included an 87 year old holocaust survivor — were allowed to proceed.
As the police sent the request up the line, a number of officers bundled into the delegation and violently arrested chief steward and convener of Stop the War Chris Nineham, knocking several people off their feet as they did.
After this, the delegation laid their flowers at the feet of the police and started to disperse. Ben Jamal, director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, took to the megaphone to encourage the crowds to do the same.
In total, according to the Met, 77 people were arrested. Videos circulated which appear to show the arrest of a pregnant woman and minors. Chris Nineham was held in Walworth police station for 20 hours, finally being released on Sunday afternoon. According to a speech given outside of the station by national officer of Stop the War John Rees, Nineham was charged with breaching the Public Order Act and bailed with conditions that he could not attend any other demonstrations.
Whilst dozens were being arrested in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, a Youth Demand activist was detained at the BBC. In a post shared on Instagram the activist from the Just Stop Oil linked group was arrested whilst holding a blank placard outside of the central London studios of the BBC (at the point where the march had originally been due to set off from).
On Sunday afternoon, MPs John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn, alongside Director of the PSC Ben Jamal were called in to have an interview under caution at Charing Cross police station in central London. At the time of writing it appears no others from the delegation have been interviewed. I understand statements from all three will be released to the press this morning.
The arrest of a senior and well known member of the peace movement, alongside the interviews under caution of Members of Parliament in relation to their presence on an entirely peaceful demonstration is a sickening and spine chilling escalation.
Real questions need to be asked about a police force that feel emboldened enough to attempt to criminalise politicians who were democratically elected, especially those elected on a mandate to continue organising and fighting for the liberation of Palestine. It becomes even more murky when you take into account both Jeremy and John have publicly criticized the Met’s account of the day and the events running up to the arrests.
Thus far both the Home Secretary and Prime Minister have remained silent on this, but this surely cannot stand for long. The interview under caution of a major political opponent (in the shape of Jeremy Corbyn) for his involvement in a protest, in part, against the policy, actions and strategy of the Starmer government is a chilling and very public escalation which must be met with answers and/ or action.
It is, however, just the tip of the iceberg.
Last Friday, as both the Met and the organisers of the National Palestine demo continued to duke it out over assembly points and form, I joined a few dozen people stood on a cold street corner across the city. Standing outside the Old Bailey, activists and supporters from Palestine Action had gathered in support of the so-called Filton 18.
This is a live case, with criminal trials set to take place over the course of the next two years. There are lots of moving parts and the highest stakes imaginable. Because of this, rather than write about the Filton 18 myself, if you’ll forgive me, I’m going to copy and paste the press release from Palestine Action.
In a hearing at the Old Bailey, London, today, nine of the 'Filton 18' political prisoners have entered 'not guilty' pleas on all charges put before them, while supporters amassed in solidarity outside of the Court.
Today the first 9 activists were called to court to plea to charges after an action in August 2024 at the Filton, Bristol site of Israel's largest weapons company, Elbit Systems. All 18 face charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage, with some of the 18 additionally facing charges of violent disorder [1]. Six activists were arrested on site for an action that saw them breach the site using a modified van, before dismantling weapons of genocide inside, including 'quadcopter' drone models [2]. 12 further people were later arrested and remanded to prison for their alleged involvement. Police have justified their continued detention by alleging that their actions have a 'terrorism connection'.
The rest of the 18 are expected to enter not guilty pleas later this year. A spokesperson for Palestine Action said: "We refuse to bow to this continued police intimidation and harassment. It is Elbit, Israel's largest weapons company, that is the guilty party: those resisting the UK's complicity in genocide are not.
The activists have been returned to prison by the judge and are currently awaiting appeal hearings for bail which have been thus-far rejected. Of the 18, 10 have spent over five months in prison since August [3, 4], with an additional 8 detained since November [5].
At today's hearing, the judge confirmed that their case shall be seen with the 18 split across three trial dates, the first taking place in November 2025, the second in May 2026 and the final date is currently unknown. An additional date is yet to be set in March of this year, when the defence will seek to challenge and dismiss the application of a "terror connection" in this case.
Amnesty International has stated that the Filton case demonstrates "terrorism powers being misused" to "circumvent normal legal protections, such as justifying holding people in excessively-lengthy pre-charge detention" [6].
The #Filton18 political prisoners have been subjected to arbitrary and repressive treatment while inside prison - including the withholding of phone calls and mail, prohibitions on communicating with other prisoners, and denials of religious practices and medical privacy
Footage from one of the raids that took place in November was posted by Jewish News.
Sticking with Palestine Action, last week I listed a talk, hosted by Bristol Transformed at the PRSC in Stokes Croft. The talk from a Palestine Action member was due to be hosted by a well respected local academic. Ahead of the talk Bristol Transformed released a statement saying that police officers from Avon and Somerset police had visited the venue, asking about their association with Palestine Action. The festival said that they “reject this attempt by ASC to intimidate and shut down free expression and the pursuit of education in our city and the wider movement. The use of powers in this way keeps no one safe except for the arms companies and those enabling and profiting from war and genocide”.
The events, demonstrations, actions, vigils and raids I’ve referenced above are all different. They are separated not just by many months and miles, but by strategy, tactics and traditions. They span the full range of the movement, from the most radical to some of the least. They are linked, yes by a desire to stop the genocide and the war, to see a lasting peace and the liberation of Palestine but, more worryingly, by the festering rot of police repression.
Since the 80s the police force have been emboldened by successive governments to crack down on dissent in a variety of different ways. From Orgreave, where the BBC is alleged to have colluded with the police to vilify striking miners, to Spy Cops, to beanfield, to kettling anti-capitalist demonstrators to bludgeoning students into having haemorrhages in the fees demonstrations in 2010 each generation of activists has seen faced down systematic repression from the state.
The last decade or so of Tory rule, particularly accelerated since 2019, has seen rafts of new legislation designed to limit, in law, our right to assemble and demonstrate. Much of the mainstream media have helped malign movements and manfacture consent for swathing regression where our right to protest is concerned. Across the country, police forces have been emboldened by increasingly swivel eyed rhetoric from across Parliament.
It is within this context that the current round of repression comes falling down onto those fighting for Palestine.
Be in no doubt, we are in a time of peril. I say this not to dissuade you from taking action, but, rather, to embolden you to. It is imperative upon us to join the dots between the different parts of our movement. To understand that the harassment of staff at a venue hosting a talk about a group is directly linked to the cautioning of members of Parliament. That the implementation of conditions curtailing the rights of people to peacefully march through our city is linked to violent dawn raids of activists for an action they weren’t even present for.
These lessons could not be more timely. With the inauguration of Donald Trump today and the festering rise of the far right across the world, coupled with that bleak legislative picture at home and an emboldened police, it has never been more important for us to stand together, as one movement, one people, fighting for progress and light against the darkness.
DWP in the mud
Amongst the chaos of this week, there was also some good news.
Back in 2023 the then Conservative government launched a consultation around billions worth of cuts to disability benefits. Last week, following an application for a judicial review by activist Ellen Clifford, the high court found this consultation to have been “so unfair as to be unlawful”.
In a judgment published on morning of 16th January, Mr Justice Calver said the consultation, which took place under the tenure of Mel Stride as Minister for Work and Pensions, was “misleading”, “rushed” and “unfair”.
He found that the consultation documents had failed to highlight the “substantial” loss of benefits facing those affected by the proposals. Speaking on the judgment, Clifford stated, “One internal DWP estimate (which we only know about because of my legal challenge) indicates that 100,000 disabled people who are classed as highly vulnerable would be pushed into absolute poverty by 2026/27, as a result of the types of cuts they proposed in this consultation.” She called the consultation a “life and death issue.”
Mr Justice Calver also found that the consultation gave the “misleading impression” that changes were required to ensure deaf and disabled people could access employment support (when they could already voluntarily access this).
This is a stunning victory for the movement, particularly for tireless disability rights activists like Clifford who have fought bravely against successive regimes that have seen disabled people bear the brunt of cuts. The question now, of course, turns to Liz Kendall, the Labour Minister for Work and Pensions, and what her DWP will do.
Long have there been questions about the Labour government’s intentions around various different Tory policy. Speaking to the Big Issue (who have a great deep dive on this), a DWP spokesperson said, “The judge has found the previous government failed to adequately explain their proposals. As part of wider reforms that help people into work and ensure fiscal sustainability, the government will re-consult on the work capability assessment descriptor changes, addressing the shortcomings in the previous consultation, in light of the judgment.
“The government intends to deliver the full level of savings in the public finances forecasts.”
Ellen Clifford said, “We now urge the Government to rethink these proposals and make the safety and well-being of disabled benefit claimants their priority, as well as commit to consulting us fairly and lawfully in the future.”
Ellen was represented by Public Law Project.
Will bring you any updates on this story as and when I get them.
Listings:
Tuesday 21st January
Edinburgh: Leonardo 3 sentencing, 9:30am-1:30pm,EH1 1LB
Palestine Action say, “Three actionists who shut down Leonardo’s Edinburgh factory by scaling and dismantling the site, will be sentenced next week on January 21st from 9:30AM-1:30PM at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
One of them is Madeleine Norman, a Palestine Action political prisoner.
Stand with the #Leonardo3!”
Bristol: bell hooks: Confronting Class in the Classroom, 6pm for a 6:30pm start, BS2 8JT
Bristol Transformed say, “How is the classroom shaped by middle-class norms? How can we create spaces which genuinely suit people from all backgrounds? How important are class distinctions when we try to understand inequality in the education system today?
bell hooks was an influential educator and social critic, famous for her works on love, racism, sexism and pedagogy. In this session, we will discuss a chapter of her work on class from the legendary collection Teaching to Transgress and see if we can make any use of it for our own practice as educators and learners.”
Pay what you can tickets available here!
Sunday 25th January
Wakefield: Solidarity Demo with imprisoned Palestine Action ‘actionist’, WF4 4AX
Palestine Action say, “On Saturday 25th January, friends and supporters of Palestine Action political prisoner, Francesca Nadin, will demonstrate in support of her, and to mark her 39th birthday, a few days before.
Francesca, who has still not been convicted of any charge, has been held at New Hall prison, near Wakefield, since June 2024. By the time she faces trial on criminal damage charges, relating to an attack on a Barclay's Bank branch in Leeds, she will have already spent nine months in prison.”
Dates for your diary:
Monday 26th January - Sunday 2nd February
Independent Venues Week
The Music For The Many campaign, organised by Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project, has been fighting to promote and protect grassroots music venues.
They will be amplifying their campaign demands throughout IVW with the launch of a brand new live interview series and a concert at London’s 100 Club on Sunday 2 February featuring The Menstrual Cramps and special guests, including Jeremy Corbyn.
Tuesday 28 January
Peace & Justice Project presents: MFTMtv - a Music For The Many series (Filmed at Next Door Records 2, Stoke Newington, London, watch live or on catchup on Youtube.)
Sunday 2 February
Independent Venue Week 2025: The Menstrual Cramps (The 100 Club, London)
Saturday 1st February
London: National Demonstration to stop the far right
Stand up to Racism say, “Elon Musk is fast becoming the leading far right figure globally and the biggest defender of Robinson.
Robinson is again calling on his racist supporters to take the streets of London. Last time we mobilised 20,000 to oppose him. We can do it again. Join us on Sat 1 Feb ✊🏽
Details TBC, follow us for updates”
Saturday 8th February
London: Stand up for the Miners fundraiser night, W1D 1LL
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners say, “The Durham miners are coming to London for an evening of comedy and politics marking the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike – and you’re invited!
We’ll be at the legendary Oxford Street venue The 100 Club on Saturday 8 February (7pm – 10.30pm) raising funds for the Durham Miners’ Gala. Our line up of comedians are the fantastic: Ian Stone; Steve Gribbin; Don Biswas; and Jen Ives, with Andrew O'Neill our host and compere.
The evening will also feature a special conversation with trade union leaders and ex-miners about the legacy of the Miners Strike 40 years on.All proceeds will go to the Marras – Friends of Durham Miners Gala.”
Buy your tickets here.
Tuesday 11th March
London: Support immigration raid resistance, TBC
In May last year, as the Conservatives ramped up rhetoric around the Rwanda plan they announced they would begin ‘rounding up’ those who might potentially be on the flights. A stunning community response in Peckham saw hundreds come down to block the coaches and declare that refugees are welcome here.
The coaches did not go that day. Those at risk of being offshored in the evil Rwanda plan stayed put in the community where they’d started to develop support networks, friends etc. Many brave members of the community (allegedly) sat in the road to block the coaches and were arrested. There have been a number of court dates already for those accused, with most being acquitted. There are still a number of future court dates, one of which is on 11th March.
In the coming weeks, I’ll write more about the stunning community resistance on that day, but for now, save the date for a rally outside the court (details TBC) in support of those who stood up that day and refused to be complicit in the horrors of the immigration system.
Thanks so much for reading. As ever if you would like your event, protest, fundraiser etc. included here or if you have any tips, press releases or save the dates please do drop me a line!
Hope to see you all on the streets!
ben x