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Police
Police
Charged: How the Police Try to Suppress Protest - book review
Charged
shows how the police and the wider establishment have attacked protests and the right to protest for the last forty years, finds Chris Nineham
All out for 5 November: Unite against the Tories - Counterfire freesheet October 2022
Tories in meltdown, the movement we need, protests in Iran, NHS workers balloting to strike, why they don't want us to talk about class and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet
Yes majesty: It’s now a crime to criticise the king
It is not very often that the British establishment reaches its current levels of absurdity. But there is something more sinister going on, as we see with the arrest of anti monarchy protestors, argues Lucy Nichols
Saskatchewan killings and the role of the police
John Clarke on the horrific murders of Indigenous people in Saskatchewan and the track record of the RCMP in failing these communities
The police are beyond redemption: Justice for Chris Kaba
The killing of Chris Kaba is yet another reminder of the inherent racism in the Metropolitan Police and why we must fight for justice, writes Lucy Nichols
We have to stand up to police attacks on trade unionists
Following the arrests of GMB organisers Gary Palmer and Helen O’Connor on picket lines, Lucette Davies explains the growing trend of authoritarian actions by the state against trade unionists and why we must resist
Sherwood: for once BBC hits the bullseye
Lindsey German reviews the BBC's highly-rated crime drama which sheds light on the long-lasting impact of the miners' strike and undercover policing
'The fight never stops': GMB's arrested trade unionists remain defiant
The three GMB trade unionists arrested on a Wealdon picket line in May were met with solidarity outside Hastings Magistrates Court, reports Leah Levane
We need a wage revolution - Counterfire Freesheet June 2022
The Tory assault on the working class, rail strikes, Ukraine, Spycops and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet
Canada’s brutal and dangerous ‘pipeline police’
The existence of a tailor-made security service to protect the interests of polluting companies shows clearly just who the police are there to serve and protect in this society, writes John Clarke
No simple answers, but all the right questions: We Own This City review
Who owns this city? HBO’s new drama presents viewers with a multiplicity of factors that comprise twenty-first-century America, argues Martin Hall
Jubilee: pantomime for a failed state - weekly briefing
Lindsey German on royal theatrics and undercover policing
‘Let them go’: Dalston stands up to police immigration raid
Tassia Kobylinska, a resident of Hackney, describes how the scene on Saturday when the community quickly mobilised to resist a police immigration raid targeting food delivery workers
Lindsey German statement at Spycops Inquiry
The witness statement of Lindsey German, a core participant in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, on how the police infiltrated and spied on left organisations
Spies, lies and sabotage: How the state infiltrated the far left
As the Undercover Policing Inquiry unearths more on the nefarious activities of the police and intelligence services, we republish the opening statement of the legal representatives of Lindsey German in relation to her testimony in the Inquiry
Child Q: 'we stand united against your oppression'
After the appalling police assault on Child Q, protesters in Hackney confront the racism and sexism of the state, reports Elly Badcock
Policing the Pandemic: How Public Health Becomes Public Order - book review
Policing the Pandemi
c raises important issues about institutional racism, but the police cannot be treated separately from the system they serve, argues Elaine Graham-Leigh
Good riddance: The long overdue resignation of Cressida Dick
Cressida Dick's role as Commissioner highlighted how deep the rot goes in the Metropolitan police and why we must oppose Tory plans to give them more powers, writes Steph Pike
How British security services colluded in the assassinations of Catholics in Northern Ireland
A new report from the police ombudsman details the role of Britain's intelligence and security services in massacres carried out by Loyalist murder gangs
The police are institutionally sexist: enough is enough
Sarah Everard’s murder by a serving police officer, police attack on a vigil for Everard, police selfies beside murdered sisters, undercover police having sex with female activists, rape and domestic violence ‘jokes’ at Charing Cross police station, humiliating strip searches...it can't go on, argues Kate Connelly
The right answer to price hikes is strikes and protest – weekly briefing
Lindsey German on battle plans and the continuing crisis in the Met
We can't afford the Tories: It's time to fight - Counterfire Freesheet February 2022
The cost of living crisis, institutionally sexist police, the victories for the working class in 1972, stopping war in Ukraine and more in this month's Counterfire Freesheet
Cressida Dick: The rot starts at the top
Jonathan Maunders looks at Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick’s sordid record and her relationship with the Tories
Police protection: Boris Johnson and Cressida Dick – weekly briefing
Lindsey German on the Tory crisis and the Ukrainian standoff
'Keep making noise': Priti Patel defeated in the Lords but the battle to kill the bill continues
The defeats suffered by the Tories in the House of Lords is a victory for the movement but the bill isn't dead yet, writes Terina Hine
Kill the Bill: If the Tories want a fight, they have one
Protesters took to the streets around the country in renewed opposition to the Tory attack on our right to protest
Anne: Hillsborough drama reminds us how low the establishment will go to protect itself
Anne
is a powerful and harrowing portrayal of a grieving mother’s long battle for truth and justice against the institutions of the state, writes David McAllister
Is BoJo about to go-go? – weekly briefing
Lindsey German on the Tory leader’s ninth life and the quagmire of Cressida Dick’s cops
“This here is leadership”: 100,000 march in Glasgow for climate justice
Demonstrators from around the world marched through Glasgow where the COP26 is taking place to demand climate action, reports Doncho Atanassov
Trudeau, the truth, and the luxury trip
John Clarke reports from Canada on the government’s efforts to escape accountability for historical abuse against indigenous people
Austerity and law and order: why more police won’t help our communities
The problems of deprived communities cannot be reduced to issues of law and order. John Westmoreland reports from Hexthorpe in South Yorkshire
The role of the Police
Police organisation has historically been created in order to control exploited and oppressed communities, and this remains the case, argues John Clarke.
The police don’t keep women safe
How can the solution to violence against women and girls be more police when it's the police that women need protection from?
All cops are racist? The Macpherson report 22 years on - Counterblast
Over 20 years after the Macpherson report was originally published, racism remains endemic in British police forces, argues Terina Hine
The movement turns out to defend GRT communities from Police and Crime Bill
Protesters gathered in Parliament Square to oppose the Police and Crime Bill that is set to criminalise GRT way of life, reports Lucy Nichols
The Truth About Police Stop & Search
Channel 4’s new documentary paints a vivid picture of the police’s systemic mistreatment of black people, argues Jamal Elaheebocus
The Police Bill has got to go: protesters take to the streets to #KillTheBill
Kill the Bill protests hit the street around the country again, Yonas Makoni and Jan Culley report from protests in London and Ceredigion
The battle of Kenmure Street: the new Tory assault and the growing resistance
The community resistance to the Tories in Glasgow is the beginning of what could prove to be an explosive few years, argues David Jamieson
Round 3: Kill the Bill protesters take to the streets across the country
On International Workers' Day, protesters marched for a third national day of action against the impending expansion of police powers. Counterfire reports from around the country
We will not be silenced: list of #KillTheBill protests around the country this weekend
On International Workers' Day, protesters around the country are preparing to take to the streets for a third nationwide day of action against the Police and Crime Bill, and in Scotland for independence
J’accuse! Spycops witness speaks out
In this compelling testimony to the Spycops Inquiry, a woman using the pseudonym Madeleine tells her story of how she became part of the revolutionary left and how her trust was betrayed by the undercover police
Opposition to the Tories is only growing - Kill the Bill protesters hit the streets nationwide
For a second national day of action, protesters marched in towns and cities across the country to oppose the Tory crackdown on protest and police violence; Counterfire members report
Take it to the streets: Get ready for 26 June
Lucy Nichols on why we need to bring together all the strands of opposition to the Tories onto the streets at the
People’s Assembly national demonstration on 26 June
Stop the Tory attack: Kill the bill - Counterfire freesheet April 2021
Democratic rights and the class struggle, the new normal to be won, resisting Myanmar's military, the latest on workplace struggles across Britain and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet
The Guardian and protest – 200 years of liberal anxiety
As the bicentenary of The Guardian approaches, Des Freedman examines its contradictory attitude towards social change
Aberystwyth Kill the Bill protest taps into the history of Welsh resistance
The protest against the Police and Crime bill in Aberystwyth drew on the history of resistance in the area and what protest has achieved, writes Jan Culley
'This is what democracy looks like': #KillTheBill protesters take to the streets nationwide
Thousands marched in towns and cities across the country on Saturday in opposition to the Police and Crime bill. Counterfire reports from a number of the protests
Berkeley: The Student Revolt - book review
Hal Draper’s classic account of the 1960s Berkeley student free-speech movement reveals enduring patterns that remain important for all activists, argues Joshua Newman
Defend the right to protest: Kingston turns out to Kill the Bill
Protesters in Kingston turned out to oppose the Police Bill as part of a number of demonstrations that took place around the country over the weekend, reports Sandra Keen
Social movements can beat attacks on the right to protest - podcast
Chris Nineham speaks to David Jamieson about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill, and the ways social movements can resist attacks on the right to protest
Uber caves in over workers’ rights - News from the Frontline
Counterfire's weekly digest rounding up the stories of working people getting organised and fighting back
Keep protesting: third day of protests rage against Tory plans to criminalise protest
On Tuesday evening, thousands protested for a third day against the government’s plans to expand police powers against the protesters, reports Yonas Makoni
Reclaim these streets: thousands attend vigils to demand end to violence against women
Vigils took place all around the country on Saturday evening despite attempts to cancel them, to honour Sarah Everard and to demand an end to violence against women
Clampdown in Clapham Common: women stand defiant against police violence
Defiant against the police, a vigil in Clapham Common honoured Sarah Everard and demanded no more violence against women, writes Steph Pike
Sarah Everard: Banning vigils is an assault on our rights – CounterBlast
The authorities are wrong to clamp down on public expressions of defiance following the killing of Sarah Everard, argues Alex Snowdon
Shrewsbury 24: Pickets shine a light on the dark state
John Westmoreland reports on a court case that has exposed the state’s use of violence and intimidation against workers in the 1970s
Justifying institutional racism: Met Police defends targeting black people
The Metropolitan Police is now openly admitting its disproportionate use of stop and search against black people and that it has no intention to stop, writes Yonas Makoni
'The police have beat the shit out of me': justice for Mohamud Mohammed Hassan
The death of a 24 year old black man after being in South Wales Police custody and their refusal to release bodycam footage has caused outrage, reports Yonas Makoni
‘Islamo-leftism’: Macron ramps up attacks on Muslims and the left in France
In France, ‘Islamo-gauchisme’ is the watchword of a widening attack on basic freedoms, targeting anti-racists and the left writes Susan Ram
French activists and journalists say ‘no’ to Macron’s ‘gag law’
In Paris, thousands take to the streets to protest against Macron’s new “comprehensive security” law, reports Susan Ram
Spycops: the rottenness at the heart of the British State
As the history of state infiltration of the left is exposed, it is no wonder the government is hurrying through its new SpyCops Bill, argues Terina Hine
The SpyCops bill is an attack on us all: it must be resisted
We shouldn’t imagine that we are powerless and have to accept this assault on our civil liberties lying down, argues Shabbir Lakha
Spy cops bill: Starmer helping the Tory assault on civil liberties
Starmer's tacit support for government legislation that will allow undercover police to commit crimes is a dangerous new low, argues Lucy Nichols
'It isn’t only guns that kill': racism in Britain’s criminal justice system
Attempts to minimise racism in the UK because British police aren’t armed like their US counterparts don’t stack up, argues Luna Williams
Business as usual for police brutality
Black Lives Matter has put racist police brutality in the spotlight, but the police continue to operate with impunity, writes John Clarke
Why we need to defund the police and disarm the state
As part of a series on what next for Black Lives Matter, we repost this article exploring the demand to defund the police
The Met Police is using software that racially profiles ethnic groups
The new 'Origins' programme being implemented by the Met takes their policy of racial profiling and abuse one step further, reports Shabbir Lakha
UK police: racist to the core - CounterBlast
Institutional racism is not just a concept that applies to the US but a very real fact for people of colour in the UK, argues Shabbir Lakha
London marches for Shukri Abdi
A march for justice for Shukri Abdi advances another important campaign in the battle against systemic racism, reports Lucy Nichols
Fascist thugs attack anti-racist protesters in London
The police failed Black Lives Matter protesters who were attacked by fascists in Trafalgar Square, reports Steph Pike
London: BLM protesters keep up the pressure
Protesters march to Trafalgar Square after inspiring rally in Hyde Park to continue the renewed fight against systemic racism, reports Harry Welch
Boris Johnson, statues and staying in the streets
As Johnson launches lazy attacks on the movement, now is no time to retreat, argues Lindsey German
The uprising on Trump's doorstep: Black Lives Matter in DC
The Black Lives Matter protests in Washington DC are taking the fight straight to Trump, reports Shabbir Lakha based on an interview with Sarah Govan
Black people protesting racism are not thugs - CounterBlast 8 June
Johnson’s attempt to demonise protesters in Bristol reveals his true colours, argues Lucy Nichols
#BLM: reports from a day of protest
Thousands take to streets across the country in uncompromising stand against systemic racism
The message from London is clear: Black Lives Matter
For the third time this week, tens of thousands of people gathered in London to demand an end to police racism, reports Lucy Nichols
Justice for George Floyd: model resolution and window poster
Counterfire has produced a model resolution you can pass in your organisation and a poster you can download to put on your window or in your area
The Battle of the Beanfield: an important anniversary in the history of state brutality
Cathy Augustine, Co-vice Chair of the Labour Representation Committee, remembers the Battle of the Beanfield, 35 years after the largest mass arrest of civilians in English legal history
Black lives matter: Brixton takes to the streets
A young angry crowd marched to oppose the murder of George Floyd and highlight racism and police brutality in the UK, reports Dave Randall
Minneapolis: a popular revolt against racism
The current unrest in Minneapolis is an explosive response to endemic police racism, writes Sean Ledwith
London demands justice for George Floyd
"No justice, no peace" rang out on the streets of London as protesters marched in solidarity with Minneapolis, reports Lucy Nichols
It’s a big deal that the outrage expressed over George Floyd’s death was massive and multiracial
Class struggle doesn’t go away in a pandemic, writes August Nimtz
Justice for George Floyd: Minneapolis rebels against racist police
Mass protests in Minneapolis continue for a third day in active defiance to the police after the racist murder of George Floyd, writes Shabbir Lakha
Why are the police racist?
Racism is an indispensable tool in the police’s mission to protect a deliberately exploitative system, argues Lucy Nichols
The Jackson State massacre: the savagery of state-led racist violence
50 years on from the massacre of black students at Jackson State College, systemic racism and police brutality remain prevalent in the United States, writes Alyssa Cassata
Covid-19, lockdown, and civil liberties
As the crisis continues, we need to make sure that our rights are not permanently eroded, argues Elaine Graham-Leigh
Covid-19, the state and civil liberties: the case of France
In France Macron is rushing through legislation to give enforcement squads enhanced powers to control individual behaviour, reports Susan Ram
Victoria Park is the People’s Park: reopen it now
Closing parks is a counterproductive act of petty authoritarianism, argue Alistair Cartwright and Chris Nineham
Dear Extinction Rebellion, the police are not your friends
The police are an institutionally racist, anti-working class organisation and no amount of love-bombing will change that, argues Shabbir Lakha
Toby Young is wrong again: the threat to free speech comes from the right
Right wingers like Toby Young are no friends of free speech and the left must fight back, argues Chris Nineham
The government's attacks on Gypsies, Roma and Travellers are an attack on us all
The government consultation aiming to criminalise the lives of some of Britain's most vulnerable and persecuted groups is disgraceful and must be resisted by us all, writes Norbert Lawrie
Cyprus: an attack on women everywhere
We must all do our part to fight systematic rape culture, writes Elly Badcock
Hillsborough: ‘the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times’
Dragan Plavšić looks at the struggle to get to the truth behind the Hillsborough tragedy
Londoners defy the XR ban to defend the right to protest
In defiance of the police ban on Extinction Rebellion protests in London, thousands protested in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday, reports Chris Nineham
Police ban on Extinction Rebellion is an attack on our civil liberties
The threat to our civil liberties from the police banning Extinction Rebellion protests is dangerous and we must resist, argues Sweta Choudhury
Boris Johnson’s law and order proposals are a scam
As ever, Boris Johnson's gung-ho attitude is designed to distract, writes Eleftheria Kousta
Stonewall 50
Marking the half-centenary of the Stonewall riots, Morgan Daniels looks at the history of the Stonewall Inn and what it means for radical queer politics everywhere
No to extraditing Assange, no to war
British judges must not collaborate in America's war crimes, argues Reuben Bard-Rosenberg
What's to blame for knife crime?
As more young lives are being tragically lost to knife crime, we must demand an end to austerity and investment in our communities, the very opposite of the Tories response of racism and repression, argues Julie Al-Hinai
Knife crime and youth violence: poverty, powerlessness and a way ahead
A commission has found that austerity has played a central role in creating the conditions for the spike in knife crime around the country, reports Kiri Tunks
The End of Policing - book review
The End of Policing
exposes the political purposes behind the police, and the damage caused by the modern increase in their coercive power, argues Peter Stäuber
From stop and search to 'hands up, don't shoot'
Stop and search powers continue to be used disproportionately against black and minority ethnic people. Floyd Codlin investigates this ongoing problem
Stop Tommy Robinson, All out for 17 November - Counterfire Freesheet November 2018
Opposing the far right, people's vote, police racism, precarious workers, climate chaos, universal credit and more in this month's Counterfire freesheet
North West London come out in voice against police violence in Harlesden and racism in wider society
Protestors came out in support of a man who was violently attacked by police in Harlesden, and called for a fightback against racism in society
Orange is the new black - analysis
Beyond the sly humour and emotive character interactions lies a story of deep institutional repression and desire for radical new approaches to justice, argues Jago Corry
Cricklewood attack: it’s not terrorism if it’s Islamophobic
Media reports and the police response to the Islamophobic attack in Cricklewood shows that it's only terrorism if the perpetrators are Muslim argues Shabbir Lakha
Taking back the city: direct action amid the Dublin housing emergency
Homelessness is on the rise and the state is siding with the landlords. Josh Newman reports from Dublin
Turkey police attack Saturday Mothers vigil
A statement from Solidarity with the People of Turkey on the recent attack against the Saturday Mothers
Spy Kids: children being used for covert ops
New revelations of police and intelligence agencies using children as spies is a chilling practice of child exploitation argues Jamie Wright
Spanish women take to the streets to demand justice for women and an end to male violence
The acquittal in Pamplona is not an isolated case. Women are taking to the streets and demanding justice, reports Steph Pike
Catalan Spring? Resistance fills the streets as ex-President arrested in Germany
Marching on the motorways and confronting police violence, the mass movement has returned with a new defiance, reports Jack Sherwood
Not One Step Back: Catalonia rises in protest as 5 ex-ministers imprisoned
Escalating repression by the Spanish state has sparked huge anger and an appetite for militant action, reports Mathew Barton from Tarragona
What's happening in Catalonia is an assault on democracy
As the wave of repression from the Spanish state continues, Catalonia needs our solidarity now more than ever, argues Chris Bambery
Institutional racism encouraged the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi
The actions of the authorities showed not only gross neglect, discrimination and injustice but in fact exacerbated hostility towards Ebrahimi, writes Naz Massoumi
Terrell Decosta: police under scrutiny
The problems with policing are not unique to the US as Terrell Decosta Jones-Burton becomes the latest victim in the UK
Rashan Charles: police racism hasn't gone away
Young black men have every right to fear the police, argues Daniel Kebede
No cover up: Justice4Rash
The death of Rashan Charles raises serious questions about institutional racism in the police force
Rotherham 12: victory against injustice
Landmark victory as 'Rotherham 12' found not guilty, but questions need to be answered about South Yorkshire Police's failings, argues Maz Saleem
18 June 1984: remembering Orgreave
As the government announces that there will be no inquiry in to the tragic events at Orgreave, Sheena Moore takes a look back at what happened
Hillsborough: Football’s greatest hurt
Mark Perryman argues that Hillsborough needs to be understood not just as a human tragedy but a consequence of how football was changing in the 1980s
Did you hear? Another Muslim murdered in the USA
With Islamophobia rising across the world, why do the media continue to ignore the fact that #MuslimLivesMatter asks Maz Saleem?
The Met documentary - an exercise in mass deception
Lee Jasper takes issue with the BBC's new 'fly on the wall' documentary about the Metropolitan Police
3 police officers forcibly strip a vulnerable child without calling her mum. Is that acceptable?
A 14-year-old girl, who had been a victim of sexual abuse was arrested and forcibly stripped of all her clothes by police officers - It's not an isolated case write Shauneen Lambe and Paola Uccellari
Free to protest: police back down over planned charges after movement defiance
After insisting that protestors pay for closing the roads the Metropolitan Police have now backed down in the face of defiance. We are stronger than we think writes Chris Nineham