MARTIN MARSTON- PATERSON
XR LEGAL SUPPORT, XR LEGAL STRATEGY SUB WORKING GROUP AND A LEGAL JOURNALIST OUTSIDE XR
I used to work in a Jersey corporate law firm, which could not be further from the work I now do for XR. I have done everything from [ being in the] back office, which takes calls about arrests and organises police station support, to briefing on potential offences and consequences, and legal strategy.
I work two days a week for the legal support team in XR. We don’t represent our arrestees in court or provide formal legal advice, but we provide briefing and liaise with solicitors and go to court cases. XR are very good at arrestee support — we have whole teams dedicated to 24- hour cover of any active police stations during Rebellions.
We had planned a Rainbow Rebels meeting for 11: 30am on the 10 October at Trafalgar Square, one of the protest sites. I unfolded my camping chair as I physically can’t sit on the ground because of cerebral palsy and arthritis. It was about 11: 40am, and the instant I sat down, the police swooped in. They grabbed James ( opposite), and I was disorientated. I froze — and before I knew it, they’d handcuffed me and were carrying me off. It was 11: 44am, I must have been there less than five minutes.
My core mantra is, “Do not speak to the police.” So I maintained absolute silence. I was arrested, and later charged, under section 14 of the Public Order Act, which allows senior officers to arrest people they believe are necessary to prevent public disorder, serious criminal damage or serious disruption to the life of the community. I was treated, in my view, in a discriminatory and violent fashion by the police and have made a formal complaint about my treatment.
The behaviour of the police during this latest rebellion has been wholly unacceptable. They have used excessive force and targeted disabled protesters.
My thoughts on the protest ban being declared unlawful are that it is a welcome first step. However, XR will continue to challenge orders issued under section 14 that we feel unfairly circumscribe the right to peaceful protest, and where we feel that the police have exceeded their powers.
"BEFORE I KNEW IT, THEY'D HANDCUFFED ME AND WERE CARRYING ME OFF"