Policing protests - what we can expect in 2015

Perhaps rather rashly, we've taken out our crystal ball to make 'seven educated guesses' about the policing of protests in the coming year.

Find out what we have predicted here.
 

Remember 'Domestic Extremism' Awareness Day!

Thursday 5 February is Netpol's second annual 'Domestic Extremist Awareness Day' and we are asking you to tell us, on Facebook and Twitter - using the hashtag #domesticextremist - what might make you a so-called 'domestic extremist'. These are a couple of our favourites from last year:


Plus, if you think the police may hold your personal data, we urge you to take some time on Domestic Extremist Awareness Day to make a subject access request - find out how here.
 

Mass arrests at Westfield London

Looking back at the use, yet again, of mass arrests of protesters, this time at a Ferguson solidarity protest at a Westfield shopping centre in London, Netpol argues that the tactic is driven by by an obsession with intelligence gathering and a deliberate intention to disrupt protest and ‘punish’ those who take part in them.

Find out more here.
 

Revealed: police use of pre-charge bail to disrupt protest

The top story on the Guardian's website on Christmas Day, with input from Netpol, was the accusation that police are trying to muzzle protest movements. Data indicates the widespread use of police bail to ban hundreds of innocent people from attending lawful demonstrations.

Read the story here.
 

We need your support

Netpol's activities monitoring public order, protest and community policing - and challenging excessive and discriminatory policing that threatens civil rights - have grown considerably over the last 12 months. However, we continue to operate on a tiny budget. Can you help by making a small monthly donation to support our work?

You can find out how at netpol.org/about/donations - we really appreciate any help you can offer. 
 

Forthcoming Events

• EVENT: Are You a Domestic Extremist? - Tuesday 27 January, 6.30pm to 8pm. The latest Haldane Society Human Rights Lecture includes photo journalist Jess Hurd,  video journalist Jason Parkinson and Shamik Dutta, solicitor for the six journalists challenging the Met's "domestic extremist" database. Find out more here.
• EVENT: Sack Bob Lambert Picket - Friday 30 January, 12pm to 2pm. Islington Against Police Spies (IAPS) have called a picket of London Metropolitan University, where former Special Demonstration Squad officer (and later boss) Bob Lambert lectures in criminology. Further details here.
• EVENT: Warwick Human Rights Forum - Saturday 31 January, 10am to 5pm. Netpol is taking part at this event at the University of Warwick, delivering a workshop on the right to protest. You can find further information here.
• EVENT: Police corruption, spying, racism and accountability  - Friday 6 and Saturday 7 February. A two day conference on understanding and challenging police corruption, spying and racism. More details here.