HI, the legal team here is just getting utterly swamped with 'i was beaten up by the police what are you going to do about it' emails. We're worried that 1) we're spending all our time sending out the same info again and again, 2) because of this we're getting slow and not dealing with the rest of it quickly enough.<div>
<br></div><div>We would REALLY :-) like a thing at the bottom of the front page of the Camp website with our new super-duper what -to-do instructions!</div><div><br></div><div>suggest:</div><div><br></div><div>The Legal Team has released instructions about what to do if you were affected by the police actions at the camp. CLICK HERE </div>
<div><br></div><div><then link to this text (or keep it on front page):></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Tahoma; "><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
First, thank you for all the emails. We are reading them all but not acknowledging them at the moment due to the quantity. Our apologies. For the time being, if you would like us to respond – please send us another email requesting a response.</p>
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HOW THE POST-PROTEST LEGAL PROCESS WORKS:</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "> </p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
Lots of people are writing to us with evidence of police misbehavior and there certainly seems to be grounds for complaint in many of them. However, crucially complaints and legal claims need to be brought by individuals: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">we can’t do it on your behalf.</span> </p>
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What we are doing is: </p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "> </p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
<span>1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>We are making sure we have the evidence available to us sorted so we can locate supporting evidence for those arrested or those who bring complaints of assault and so forth against the police. </p>
<p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "><span>2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>We are exploring whether there is a legal challenge strategically worth bringing this time. If so, we will be looking for potential litigants.</p>
<p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "><span>3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>We are preparing a report and film on the Camp and may be in contact with some of you to use your statements. We have made no decision as to what we will do with the report at this point.</p>
<p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "><span>4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>We have a particular interest in how those with injuries or illnesses were treated by the police – so if you have relevant evidence there please let us know. Depending on the evidence, we may focus on this as an area of concern.</p>
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What you can do:</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "> </p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
If you were wrongfully arrested, or assaulted and injured by a police officer, you may be able to bring a case against the police. Please contact Bindmans in the first instance. If they do not have the capacity then we can recommend other firms of solicitors who have worked with activists in the past. We may have supporting evidence so let us know if we can help. Please keep us informed of the outcomes.</p>
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If you were arrested and charged, let us know as we may have supporting evidence that may help with your defense. You will need to give your solicitor your consent to them talking to us or they will not be able to tell us about your case. Please keep us informed of the outcome.</p>
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If you witnessed a wrongful arrest or assault, you should make a detailed statement and send it to us. Please make it clear where and when and what happened so we can find it if someone asks about it.</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">Making a Complaint:</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="text-indent: -18pt; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; "><span>1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>Complain to the police – <a href="http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/complaints/forms.htm">http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/complaints/forms.htm</a> - about an individual police officer or the policing generally. You will need to give your contact details and they will want to interview. Don’t hold your breath for a positive outcome but don’t let this put you off. The more complaints, the more people on the Metropolitan Police Authority may be able take up some of the issues.</p>
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<span>2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>And write to your MP<b style="font-weight: bold; "><i style="font-style: italic; "> </i></b>(let them know you have complained – you could send them a copy) - <a href="http://www.writetothem.com/" target="_blank" style="font-weight: inherit; cursor: pointer; color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span style="color: windowtext; ">www.writetothem.com</span></a>. Encourage them to write to the Home Office for an explanation. And invite them to the next camp.</p>
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<span>3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "> </span></span>And tell everyone you know.</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">
</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">Please keep reading the legal updates as our recommendations and requests may change, especially once we have more information on what charges people are facing.</p>
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Meanwhile write up anything relevant now and email us, let us know if you have footage and we will send you some information on how to share it with us, keep copies of any original notes, photos and film (and keep them for 12 months). </p>
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</p><p class="EC_MsoPlainText" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Consolas; ">Legal Support Team - <a href="mailto:legal@climatecamp.org.uk" style="font-weight: inherit; cursor: pointer; color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">legal@climatecamp.org.uk</a></p>
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