Anger as protesters bussed in for Brighton EDO protest (From The Argus)

Anger as protesters bussed in for Brighton EDO protest

10:30pm Monday 20th April 2009 in

By Naomi Loomes »

Skip social links
Print
Email
Comments(32)

A huge protest attracting demonstrators from across the country has sparked police anger after organisers refused to reveal how many will attend.

More than 1,000 are expected to descend on Brighton and Hove for the Smash EDO May day march.

Protesters will be bussed in from Bradford, Sheffield, Cardiff, Hereford, London and Bath in what organisers say will be their biggest protest ever.

The demonstration comes after violent clashes between police and marchers at a similar event in October.

Senior police officers have criticised the group for failing to reveal how many people they believe will be on the march.

They are now preparing for a large-scale operation costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Council bosses are also concerned about the impact on the city's reputation as thousands of tourists and day trippers will be enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend in the city.

Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett, who is in charge of policing in Brighton and Hove, said: "We don't have any intelligence that there will be disorder but the best way to make an event safe is to make it lawful.

"We have a good track record of policing events where we have the co-operation of organisers, for example we handled the 1,500-strong demonstration relating to the Israeli Gaza conflict earlier in the year.

"Unfortunately with the EDO group they seem unwilling to engage with us - they have been unwilling or unable to accept our numerous invitations to do so.

"Whatever the costs are they could have been slashed if the organisers had co-operated with us."

Meanwhile Brunswick and Adelaide Councillor Paul Elgood said: "Smash EDO and police have had a poor relationship in the past but I think they need to get round the table to ensure the protest doesn't disrupt Bank Holiday tourism in the city."

The cost of policing at Smash EDO's October protest, where 500 people attended, was £50,000.

There were violent clashes between protesters and police in the street and ten people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

In January nine Smash EDO campaigners were arrested for breaking into the EDO MBM factory in Home Farm Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, and destroying computer equipment.

Protesters are now being urged to wear red and bring sound systems to the “Mayday Street Party”, which takes place on Monday May 4.

The aim of the event is to highlight the group's campaign to close down the EDO MBM factory.

On the group's website it urges people to: "Come dance, fight and remember the victims of ITT (Smash EDO)."

It adds: "We want this to be the biggest show of force yet against EDO."

Demonstration organiser Samuel James defended the group's decision not to tell police how many people they expected to attend.

He said: "We had around 800 people attend last year, we're expecting it in the thousands this time but we don't know exact numbers.

"We won't announce where we will gather or the route we are going to take – instead we're saying watch this space, those who are attending should keep looking at the website.

"We have a right to gather in our home town – asking police permission for the right to demonstrate would render the action pointless so we're not going to do so.

"It undermines the act of voicing our dissent.

"Instead we'll be recapturing the historic meaning of May day and showing resistance to capitalism, the system and the greed it creates.

"We're hoping for a carnivalesque atmosphere and for people to come and have fun."

When pressed by The Argus on the point that many of those to attend will in fact not be from Brighton and Hove or Sussex, Mr James said: "I don't think it matters where people come from. People have the right to demonstrate anywhere and this is a home-grown campaign."

In a press statement on Smash EDOs website it describes the event.

It says: "For centuries Mayday has brought people together and out on to the streets.

"People danced for the coming of summer and the fertility of the crops.

"People marched in remembrance and solidarity with their fellow workers around the world.

"People gathered in their cities to fight against global capital and exploitation."

The group will be meeting on May 2 and 3 at The Cowley Club in London Road, Brighton, to discuss their campaign.

Sussex Police is urging anyone involved in the organisation of the protest to call 0845 6070999 and ask to speak to the Events and Planning Unit at Hove Police Station.

Should the group meet with police to discuss the event? Tell us what you think below.

Comments(32)

william of orange says...
10:45pm Mon 20 Apr 09

...and with the first round having gone to the Police its ding..ding

round 2 !!!

(I forsee more "Nicola" type stories in the days after the riot!)