G8 arrests - call out for info & witnesses

Hi, the following has been received from the G8 Legal
Support group, who provided legal observers and legal
info at the recent G8 protests from 2 to 9 July.

If you were detained/arrested, witnessed a detention,
or can help in any way, please read on...

G8 & SUPPORTING THOSE ARRESTED

At the recent G8 protests in Scotland there were some
700 people detained by the police. These are different
from arrests, as the police in Scotland have the
powers to “detain” for a set length of time. We know
of a number of people who were detained” and then
released, so the number of arrests is far less, maybe
about 360.

However, we don’t know exactly as it was/is difficult
to get details. So, we are putting a countrywide call
out for a number of requests.

Were you detained then released without charge?
If you were, or you know others who were, it would be
really helpful for us to know. Otherwise we will be
trying to find witnesses for people who don’t need
then. This takes time away from finding witnesses for
people who will be in court and were arrested. Please
let us know, by emailing: g8legalsupport@...

Remember, any information given is handled
confidentially and stays solely with the g8 legal team
unless you authorise us to pass it on.

Were you arrested?
We know of a number of people who are up in court, and
we think we have most people, but we want to be
certain. Can you email us at g8legalsupport@...
to let us know the following: What were you charged
with, your name, when you are next in court for your
“intermediate diet” and “trial date”; when and where
were you arrested (place, date, time) - please be as
accurate as you can.

We have a number of witnesses to arrests. But, a lot
of the time we don’t have the name of the person
arrested, only a description. So, if we are to tie
these up the following information would be useful if
you were arrested. Hair colour and length;
male/female; what clothes you were wearing when
arrested.

We also know some charges have been dropped. For
example, we hear 30 protesters, mainly from abroad,
due at Falkirk court this week, had their charges
dropped. These people had been arrested early on the 6
July on or near to the A9. It would be useful to know
their names, and why charges dropped - others arrested
around the same time/place may be able to make use of
this information.

We need any film or photo’s you have Film or video
evidence could help somebody stay out of prison or
help with their case in other ways. There were
hundreds of cameras and videos around throughout the
G8 protests.

If not you, then people you know, must have had
cameras. They didn’t all belong to the police and
corporate media. Now is the time to help others. We
need all the film and video footage you have.

Please send copies to us at c/o LDMG, BM Box HAVEN
London WC1N 3XX. We also need your name and a phone
number so we can contact you as you might be needed to
be a witness.

All too often people take pictures and videos for
their own collection. These never get presented to
legal support groups to help with defendants cases.
So, at times innocent people go down, because people
won’t come forward. Don’t let this be you!

Did you witness an arrest?
Although we have a large number of witness statements
for people either detained or arrested, there must
have been a huge number of other people who saw an
arrest and didn’t report it to the legal support
group, or fill in a “witness statement”. Cases are now
coming to court. Without witnesses, innocent
defendants could be fined or go to jail.

If you haven’t already filled in a “witness statement”
please do so NOW by going to
http://g8legalsupport.info/witness-statements/ then
either email us the details or send it to us at: c/o
LDMG, BM Box HAVEN London WC1N 3XX

For more info, legal updates, how to make a donation
to cover legal costs, and news about solidarity work
and how to contact defendants campaigns please check:
http://www.g8legalsupport.info

Also see: http://www.brightonabc.org.uk/