NOTE: The following has been written after consultation with an expert in Common Law, and a former Met Office Police Officer of 16 years. I am not a lawyer and I am not certified to provide legal advice or representation. Do your own research.
AHEAD OF TOMORROW'S DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON.
HOW TO DEAL WITH GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS I.E. THE POLICE
Civil liberties are basic rights and freedoms granted to citizens of a country through national common or statute law. They include freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom from arbitrary arrest, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of religious worship.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED OR DETAINED ON SATURDAY
You have no right to ask the Police Officer if they are acting under their oath or to ask them to repeat it to you. Politely ask to see their warrant card. They are required to carry at all times on and off duty. It is a disciplinary offence if they do not have it or do not show it when asked. If they do not have it, tell another Police Officer you want them detained for impersonating a Constable. A real Constable will have to produce their warrant card.
If stopped by the police and they ask for your details, you are not required to give them. If they ask what you are doing simply reply:
"Exercising my common and constitutional law right to peacefully protest."
Any other questions they ask, your answer is: "No comment."
If the Police Officer asks for your details, your answer is: "Am I obliged to give you my details?"
You are not obliged. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DETAILS.
It is the polices’ job to prove you have broken the law, it is not your job to do their job for them. So, to every question, the correct reply is: "No comment."
If stopped, you may also choose to ask: "Do you suspect me of committing an offence"
There must be evidence. If there is none, you are free to go. You cannot be detained. Ask the Police Officer: "Am I free to go?". Once the Police Officer says "YES", WALK AWAY.
The strawman argument is nonsensical and will get you arrested. There is no Police Officer alive that wants to contract with you. They want to know what you are doing and why. Remember every time they ask you a question, they are collecting evidence, so your reply is NO COMMENT.
If the police approach any protestor, everyone, PLEASE, take out your phones and film them. The film is good evidence which can be used if you submit a complaint against the police.
If you are arrested, ask to see a copy of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. They must give it to you and allow you time to study it. Ask for a solicitor and during the interview your answer to all questions is no comment. It is a tactic for the officer to ask a question then after your reply (no comment) to sit quietly. People cannot help themselves they just have to start talking. So, if the officer is quiet, so are you.
Remember, regardless of your views about the police, they are people. No human being deserves to be attacked, sworn at, spitted on, pushed, shoved, berated. That is just going to get you arrested.
There is more power in positivity, peace and love. Your family your friends, your children and future generations are watching. Act with dignity and do not allow yourself to be triggered.
There will be undercover agents and activists in the ground whose sole intention is to trigger the crowd, and make it non-peaceful. This will then be reported on MSN, creating further division within society. Don’t let this happen.
