Patrick Lynch
Disabled people peacefully protesting against government cuts that are killing disabled people were physically attacked by police in a demonstration outside the Department for Work and Pensions today.
Without any provocation from the peaceful protesters who had gathered to show their support to disabled activists from DPAC, police used heavy handed tactics and pushed the crowd without any concern for the disabled wheelchair users lined up in front of the door despite repeated warning that disabled people were being placed at risk. Their actions resulted in one of the protesters having his shoulder broken. Another wheelchair user’s chair was broken in this unprovoked and disproportionate use of force by the police. The police made several attempts to unbalance protestors at the front of the crowd and broke one man’s glasses.
The wheelchair user, Patrick Lynch, hurt in the incident said, “The police officer involved was a thug and a bully, not fit to wear the uniform. If he hadn’t been in the police he would be facing charges for assault“
One of the peaceful protesters inside who was there to support the disabled activists occupying the foyer of the DWP building heard what was happening and attempted to alert police to the fact there were wheelchair users being crushed in the line and in danger of being hurt. Legal observers who attended the event will have witnessed this incident. As a result he was arrested and went peacefully. At the time of this statement he is still inCharing Crosspolice station and we have no further information as yet.
DPAC spokesperson Maud Wilkinson said, “What happened is regrettable. Taken in the context of the week of action this was an isolated incident. But disabled people will not stop organising and mobilising the resistance to the brutal attack on disabled people being perpetrated by the ConDem Government.”
At the end of the protest those occupying the DWP foyer left voluntarily and the demonstration ended peacefully and without further incident.
All the demonstrations organised by DPAC in this week of activity and previously have passed off without incident or arrest. We believe that the use of force by police was excessive, unnecessary, reckless and contravened our right to peaceful protest. It’s also difficult to see the police response as anything other than an attempt to provoke a violent reaction from the protestors.
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Absolutely unbelievable and no mention at all on BBC. I’m so sad and ashamed of what this country is becoming.
Without wishing to take anything away from what happened the BBC on news24 did have coverage of this although the images they showed were a far different picture to those put online by people who were present and filming.
Not strictly true
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19441794
Though you do have to search for it as you wont find it anywhere near the front page. Although it doesn’t mention the gentleman in question I think the footage does show the police going in heavy handed and being for once having the common sense to backoff from what would be a PR disaster for them.
Likewise Michael and is it any wonder that hate crimes and discrimination against the sick and disabled have soared. I truly despair.
NAZIS!
OMflippinG – Atos propound hate and are paid to do it? Police know better and have training! Toryboy’s Britain is despicable
Just to make it clear the photo in this article is from WEDNESDAY
Thanks Karma for putting me straight on that…
https://www.facebook.com/EndToDeathAndAbuseInPoliceCustody
This is typical of the met Bastards
The Police should be held responcible for the actions of each and every member of the force they employ. Fire the individual officer and his commanding officer. THen they will curb thier actions maybe.
Please don’t tar all police with the same brush. The Met are known for their heavy-handed tactics. After last year’s riots when forces from all over the country were drafted in to help it was noticeable that other forces methods were more effective and relied much more on communication with the public.Supposedly lesson have been learned and retraining is in place but I imagine it will take time to filter through.
I cant see which police you aim us not tar with the tarring brush hon?
No matter what we (the common man) protest for and, or against, whether, war, rights, justice, benefits…. Etc?
They (police) steam in like a law unto themself….. They are not th law but a means to uphold the law.
They do not, are very much thugs in uniform and indeed get away with brutality in almost 90% of cases.
To dispute this? Is ignorance!
Poor man, hope he’s (sort of) OK now and hope he sues the bastard who did it.
Thanks people for standing up for all of us who couldn’t get there.
Hope the cop who did this feels like a big man now, beating up on a disabled person – feels like one, he’ll NEVER BE ONE.
Welcome to Britain 2012 – Russia anyone?
At the labour conference in Brighton there wer additional police from London and Liverpool and midlands. The latter two were absolutely wonderful especially to me as a disabled person. The London ones were thugs in disguise.
When I was a kid growing up we were always told that;’you can always trust a policeman’. These days it seems you can only trust that one will beat you up even if you’re in a wheelchair!
Disgrace
The very first thing I noticed was this… “If he hadn’t been in the police he would be facing charges for assault“
Why shouldn’t he face assault charges, the police aren’t immune you know. The force they used was completely disproportionate to the threat, perceived or otherwise, that they may have thought they were under.
with attacks on we disabled so vile now you cant trust a copper…whoever this bastard is is’nt fit to wear a uniform and a hope this will be pursued….TAKE IT ALL THE WAY AND DONT STOP…these met nazis…sieg heil…first the goverment now their stormtroopers…proud to be british…I DONT THINK SO…not until all the scum are brought to book….WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND…THE FIGHT GOES ON…REGARDS…SANDRA.
We do not have Policeman anymore they are called law enforcment officers. Policeman that we had years ago were to serve and protect. Now these ones are to enforce the goverment law which is not the common law. Look up common lawon you tube it also tells your about the law enforcemnt officer we have now.
Millions of us in this country do not know this we are in a new wave being controlled now. There is no protection as clearly seen in the video with the (police) attacking and bull dozing his way through people he is an animal
Pippip Cheerio. Fish and chips. Chim chimney chim chim chereee
This story needs to go to the nationals. The last time disabled people were attacked in the street by state representatives was in Germany, 1939 onwards.
Was this the german cleansing of their system and in taking over countries 1939. I see our goverment are have taken notes on how this was achieved maybe? But the Use of gas chambers would be not right in out country would stick out too much getting rid of the sick, so the tatics are pyscological ie worry people to death -stop benefits to induce suicide etc as seen these past years.
I have scoured the papers in anticipation of this justified protest to gauge reaction…an abysmal absence of reporting and a clear indication to me that the media are very much dumbed down
‘LET ME PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT I HAVE A HAIR LINE FRACTURE IN MY RIGHT SHOULDER, IT IS IN A SLING, ONCE AGAIN MY SHOULDER IS NOT BROKEN-IT IS VERY PAINFUL’
Patrick Lynch posted on Black Triangle’s Page – facebook
That’s bad enough though John as far as I’m concerned, thanks for putting me straight….
The law enforcement officer( not a policeman) is seen clearly attacking the young man holding his bike. The police should be pulling this law enforcement officer in and that young man should report being attacked by this law enforcement officer.
Its a disgrace that these law enforcement officers who have familys and mothers should have done what they did. To me they are wolves in sheep clothing.
Now I hope everyone can see this is not a free country and goverment agencies such a DWP are protected at all times but there is no protection for ill and disabled people in their claims or whilst protesting.