Defend the Right to Protest National Conference
“WE DO NOT CONSENT”
Sunday 16th November, 11am til late, SOAS
Dear DPAC
I am writing to invite your organisation to Defend the Right to Protest’s annual conference “We Do Not Consent” – a one day conference to discuss how we tackle the criminalisation of protest, state violence and injustice in a climate of austerity, rising racism and inequality.
It takes place in the context of a continued assault on civil liberties, including recent threats by the Tories to withdraw from the ECHR and introduce new “extremism disruption orders.” It follows the stream of revelations about police corruption and under cover policing, repeated attacks on the right to protest and the ongoing scandal of deaths in police custody.
We hope the day will provide a forum to address these issues and for groups and organisations campaigning over these questions to make links and build support.
We are still finalising the timetable but there are already a great range of people and campaigns involved – see:https://www.defendtherighttoprotest.org/we-do-not-consent-defend-the-right-to-protest-conference-2014/
There will be sessions on cover cops and the secret state, protest policing, deaths in custody, racism and the fight for justice; universities, know your rights, international solidarity and more to be announced.
We wish we had more time and space for many more speakers and campaigns – but from 11am – 5.30pm plenaries and forums will provide lots of scope for participation from the floor.
From 6pm to 11pm there will be film, music and refreshments!
We are also dedicating a room to campaign stalls – if you would like to book a space email info@defendtherighttoprotest.org
We really hope you can come, and also help us to make this an event a hub of debate, experience sharing and organising. Get in touch if you have ideas or suggestions for the day and spread the word to your friends colleagues and supporters.
More information and updates can be found on the DtRtP website here: https://www.defendtherighttoprotest.org/we-do-not-consent-defend-the-right-to-protest-conference-2014/.
We also have a Facebook page for the conference: https://www.facebook.com/events/284372698418778/
Text for email circulars and websites is also included below.
We hope to see you there!
Best wishes
Hannah Dee & Susan Matthews
Defend the Right to Protest
WE DO NOT CONSENT: Defend the Right to Protest Conference 2014
Sunday November 16th, 11am till late
SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG London
Get updates on the FB event page
A one day conference to discuss how we tackle state violence and injustice in a climate of austerity, rising racism and inequality.
Speakers include: Helen Steel McLibel defendant & Spies out of Our Lives, Rob Evans author Undercover, Carole Duggan, Merrick Badger#Campaign Opposing Police Violence, Susan Alexander mother Azelle Rodney, Owen Jones author The Establishment, Jules Carey lawyer who represented Ian Tomlinson’s family, Dave Smith Blacklist Support Group, John McDonnell MP, Jenny Jones GLA, Fidel Santigi Fully Focused, Hamja Ahsan Free Talha Ahsan Campaign, Nina Power, Sheila Coleman Hillsborough Justice Campaign, Stephen Graham Cities Under Siege, Matt Foot legal aid lawyer of the year 2013, Kevin Blowe NETPOL, Hannah Dee DtRtP Chair, Marcia Rigg sister Sean Rigg, Simon Pook defence lawyer representing fracking protesters, Areeb Ullah KCLSU VP Education, Raj Chada lawyer representing Fortnum Mason, Critical Mass, Dale Farm, Rachel Harger paralegal police actions, Robert Reiner Emeritus Professor of Criminology LSE, Waquas Tufail Northern Police Monitoring Project, Mike Jackson Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners
Workshops and plenaries include under cover cops and the secret state, protest policing, deaths in custody, racism and the fight for justice; austerity and the assault on civil liberties, neoliberalism & the police, know your rights, international solidarity and more to be announced.
Conference 11am-5.30pm – plenaries and workshops
6pm -7pm Screening of Burn, Ken Fero ’s new film with Q and A
Plus food, drink and music – special guests tba till late.
Tickets £3 unwaged, £5 waged, £10 solidarity (suggested donation)
Book here: https://www.defendtherighttoprotest.org/national-conference/
Fb event: https://www.facebook.com/events/284372698418778/
Tickets £3 unwaged, £5 waged, £10 solidarity (suggested donation)
