STRIKING AGAINST PENSION CUTS
December 29th, 2011 Comments Off
To bring an end to a riotous 2011, up to two million people in Britain went on strike over cuts to public sector pensions. Negotiations that have been taking place between the Coalition Government and the Unions finally broken down. In London tens of thousands marched peacefully to a rally on the Embankment.
Death in Police Custody 29.10.2011
November 2nd, 2011 Comments Off
The United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) is a coalition of families and friends of those that have died in suspicious circumstances whilst in police custody, prisons or secure psychiatric hospitals. On Saturday they held a silent procession down Whitehall to Downing Street to hand in a letter demanding a public inquiry into their cases.
Since 1969 there have been 3,180 individuals who have died in custody. Calling for justice and for properly independent investigations into the deaths, the families went on to recount the shocking and tragic stories surrounding the deaths of their family members. Those responsible have seldom been brought to justice or even reprimanded for their actions. Where investigations have been held, they have been seen largely as ineffectual or designed to cover up offences committed by police and prison officers.
Among those present were the family of Sean Rigg, who died in police custody in Brixton Police Station on Thursday 21 August 2008, and Ricky Bishop who died in the same police station after being arrested during “Operation Clean Sweep” on November 22, 2001.
The remembrance ended with lines of TSG police moving in and kettling the group, dragging Ricky Bishops mother across the street.
Syrians protest outside Downing Street
October 26th, 2011 Comments Off
Syrian nationals living in Britain continue their protests against President Bashar al-Assad despite reports of intimidation from the Embassy here in London. The protests are in response to the ongoing brutality of the regime towards anti-government protesters back in Syria. It is thought that over 3,000 have already been killed.
Impressions from Recife, Brazil
July 10th, 2011 Comments Off
Fascinating and complex
Crumbling colonial architecture with highrises sprouting up.
Multi-layered society / culture
Beautiful, warm and welcoming.
Fabulous fruits
Deep seated poverty and inequality
Violent undercurrents
Must go back!
SEM TERRA- Reclaiming Unused Land, Pernambuco, Brazil
July 5th, 2011 Comments Off
Movimento Dos Sem Terra (MST) is a political movement in Brazil where landless rural workers squat to reclaim unused land.
Palafitas: River dwellers under threat, Recife, Brazil
June 29th, 2011 Comments Off
Finally pulling together photographs taken in Brazil last month. Click here for “Palafitas”
“Slutwalk” London 11.6.2011
June 20th, 2011 Comments Off
Sikhs Remember 1984 massacre 05.06.2011
June 9th, 2011 Comments Off
Around 25,000 Sikhs gathered in Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the 1984 massacre and attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, North India. Twenty seven years ago the Indian armed forces used 100,000 troops to stormed the holiest Sikh shrine and attacked the temple complex. At the time there were only 251 Sikhs inside. “Operation Bluestar”, had been personally approved by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with the aim to flush out militants who wanted an independent homeland of Khalistan.
There has never been agreement on the numbers killed, but Sikhs say thousands were massacred by the Indian troops.
Mrs Gandhi was assassinated four months later by her Sikh bodyguards. Following her death anti-Sikh rioting erupted in India which left about 3,000 Sikhs dead.
“March for the Alternative” fighting government cuts 26.3.2011
March 30th, 2011 Comments Off
Nearly half a million people marched through Central London to deliverer their powerful message against the government’s cuts in public spending. The majority marched peacefully to a rally in Hyde Park .
However, several smaller feeder groups including “UK Un Cut”, “TUC Armed Wing”, and a range of Anarchists, broke away from the main group and vented their anger in a less peaceful way by taking direct action against banks, shops and companies who are not paying taxes to the UK. Windows were smashed, paint splashed and smoke bombs and flares flew. Riot police were out in force though mostly avoiding heavy handed mass kettling.
Photographers ended up speckled with white green and blue paint.
A day filled with adrenaline and exhaustion.
By the midnight there were over 200 arrests and many injuries and probably no hope of future changes in government policies. CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS
