Apologies for the slight delay in sending out our monthly mailing: it has been a hectic few weeks...

Netpol calls for 'Privacy Bloc' at London protest on 20th June

In mid-May, Netpol launched our CoverUp! to Defend Your Privacy campaign, which argues that following the decision of the Supreme Court to grant the police extraordinary discretion to obtain and retain personal data on protesters, the time has come for everyone taking part in a protest to cover their faces.

Netpol is seeking to raise funds to distribute hundreds of face coverings at a planned Privacy Bloc that is joining the People's Assembly demonstration on Saturday 20th June in London.
 
You can sign up to join the Privacy Bloc and invite others on Facebook here.

If you can help to promote the Privacy Bloc, please see our resources page.
 

Why cover up? The case for protest anonymity

The campaign has sparked considerable debate about the ethics of wearing a face covering or mask. In response, we have argued that the rapid growth in industrial-scale data gathering by the police has brought the need for greater anonymity to the forefront - and that there are many other reasons why individuals do not want to face constant surveillance. Find our more here.
 

Green and Black Cross relaunch website 

On 12th May, Netpol member Green and Black Cross Legal relaunched its website with new and updated legal advice for campaigners - and we had some fun promoting it on social media (see above). Visit the expanded site at greenandblackcross.org

Can you help sustain our work?

Netpol's research, analysis and practical advice has grown considerably over the last 12 months. We are delighted that so many people have found it useful. However, we continue to operate on a tiny budget and are limited in how much more we can achieve.

We know campaign groups always ask for donations but if you think the work we undertake is important and worth supporting, could 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. 

 

Other News and Events

• Blacklist solidarity - environmental activists who were on a construction industry blacklist have donated compensation from the blacklisters to the Blacklist Support Group. Find out more here
   
• More spying on the Lawrence family revealed - Greater Manchester Police has admitted that it spied on people attending the Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, making it the fourth constabulary known to be involved. Find out more here.
   
• Metropolitan Police officer jailed for assault on student protester - a trial at Southwark Crown Court found that PC Andrew Ott used "gratuitous and unnecessary violence" during a student protest in December 2010. Read more here.
   
• New government plans more draconian 'extremism' laws -the Queen's Speech included proposals for new 'extremism disruption orders' designed to restrict those trying to 'radicalise' young people. Almost inevitably, the government's definition of what constitutes 'extremism' is as vague as ever.
   
• Jury returns neglect verdict in inquest into Kingsley Burrell's death in police custody - Kingsley, a black 29 year-old from Birmingham, died in March 2011 following a prolonged and brutal restraint by police. The six week inquest into his death has concluded officers lied about the circumstances in which he was left in seclusion. Find out more here.
   
• EVENT: GBC summer legal observer training - Green & Black Cross Legal's summer training course for new legal observers takes place on Saturday 1st August in east London. To find out what the training covers see this overview and to take part, contact GBC here.
   
• EVENT: end of term picket calls for sacking of police spy - this Friday at noon, campaigners calling for the sacking from London Metropolitan University of former Special Demonstration Squad chief Bob Lambert gather at LMU Tower on Holloway Road. More details here.
   
• EVENT: Protest, Policing Civil Rights Workshop - Netpol is contributing to a workshop on Thursday 11 June at SOAS Students Union, starting at 7pm. More details here.