here is an update we’ve had from Notts Defence
We are glad to announce that the case against the ‘Atos Two’ is being
‘discontinued’, i.e. dropped. However, it is now more than ever necessary
to continue the protests against Atos, to defy any attempts of police
repression and to stand with those whose actions are being criminalised.
The prosecution stated that they would “discontinue” the case, the reason
given was that the “complainant no longer supports the prosecution”. It is
unknown whether this change of mind was due to Atos’ concerns of further
bad publicity or whether coppers and/or CPS advised the “complainant” to
back off before their case would have been dismantled in court (or maybe
both).
In any case it is without question that the remarkable acts of solidarity
by hundreds of people did make a significant impact. The public pressure
mounting up even before the trial had started will have made an
impression, demonstrating the importance of such practical acts of
solidarity and the potential of mutual aid and support.
The ‘Atos Two’ have asked us to express their gratitude to everyone who
has supported them over the last few months and let you know that you’re
all fantastic!
However, it mustn’t be forgotten that this case of political policing, an
attempt to intimidate protesters and deter further acts of direct action,
is not an isolated one. The arrests of Notts Uncut activists just before
X-Mas (https://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2276) and the
confiscation of a photography student’s tapes after he filmed an arrest
(https://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2238) that the local force is
changing their attitude towards peaceful protest. This seems to have been
confirmed by a police officers’ remark who commented on the arrest of the
‘Atos Two’ by stating that there “had been too much of this sort of thing
and we were told to crack down on it”.
Furthermore Atos is still committed to make people’s lives a misery and
the company remains one of the many examples why we need much more of
“this sort of thing”.
Therefore we must continue to protest against Atos and to defy any
attempts of intimidation by direct action. We must also engage in acts of
practical solidarity with those who find themselves subject to police
repression and/or caught up in the justice system.
Whether someone is being harassed or assaulted by law enforcers in the
streets, put through a WCA, dragged through the courts or locked away in
prisons or detention centres, an injury to one is an injury to all!
Join us for a protest against Atos ‘Healthcare’ and police repression on
Friday 3rd February 2012 at 12.30pm in Hockley (Nottingham).
For details, posters, leaflets etc. see
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/events/2247 and
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2335
Best wishes
Notts Defence Campaign
https://network23.org/nottsdefence
https://indy.im/nottsdefence
Tweets by NottsDefence
See articles and press release on Indymedia
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2334
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2336
See also these Indymedia features…
Regarding the original protest against Atos
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2053
Regarding the charges against the ‘Atos Two’
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2168
Regarding the solidarity campaign for the ‘Atos Two’
https://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2207
Arrests of Notts Uncut activists
https://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2276
Harassment of student photographer
https://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2238
See also legal information and bustcard
https://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/2332
its with people like this we can show this company atos up keep it up jeff3
Essential reading re ATOS:
https://www.lifeinthemix.info/2011/11/atos-work-programme-mandatory-work-activity-supply-chains/
Links to relevant documents:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/73477892/Business-Employment-Services-Training-Ltd-Dir-Reports-Statements-March-2010
page 4:
‘The Directors are still hopeful in 2010/2011 of seeing a small rise in turnover and profits as the unemployment figures continue to rise and hence more clients enter our programme’……
Interim ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £3,700,000……
https://www.scribd.com/doc/73067110/008-CPA1-A4e-Ltd-Tender-Form-Redacted-FINAL
Page 32:
Through extensive links, Placement Co-ordinators (PC) are able to facilitate placements at short notice. All placements will be pre-vetted by the PCs to ensure that CRB checks are not required.
Mandatory Work Activity documents:
On scribd – DWP ‘Invitations to Tender’:
https://www.scribd.com/MWA_Mandatory_Work
On Issuu: Summary of documents submitted to DWP:
https://issuu.com/mandatory-work-activity
On flickr: images which are relevant to Mandatory Work Activity, also images which relate to the Ark Academy in Wembley, near which ATOS have offices:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/68614769@N07
Work Programme documents:
On scribd – DWP ‘Invitations to Tender’:
https://www.scribd.com/Work_Programme_DWP
On Issuu – Summary of documents submitted to DWP:
https://issuu.com/work_programme_dwp/docs
Flickr – images which relate to Work Programme:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/69044234@N07/