Policing Protests: Facilitation or a Consequence of State Monopoly on Violence?

The mobilisation of mass police force to ‘facilitate’ peaceful protests, particularly this year with regards to the COP26 protests this month and my own experience at the Palestine Solidarity protest in May, calls into question this notion of democracy – as these previously safe congregations for activism, through political policy, turn to that of danger, control and threat.

Ralph Doe wrote to the Glasgow Guardian following his experience at the COP26 protests in Glasgow. He said: “I was in the march that was kettled on St. Vincent Street for 2 hours, witnessing residents and passers-by being prevented from leaving the area cordoned off.” The control was immense with Ralph writing that: “The police prevented everyone from crossing the road for the toilet or even a coffee; with many protesters forced to relieve themselves into a storm drain blocked by banners.” Making it clear that it is not a matter of facilitation, but control. A few days later at the same location, two protestors engaged in a roadblock outside Santander’s offices protesting their £24.7B contributions in financing the fossil fuel industry between 2016 and 2020. Ralph explains that: “A double police cordon around the two protesters prevented any contact by liaison officers or stewards with them. As well as blocking off the scene by means of police vans, before the special team arrived with grinders to unshackle the two protestors and remove them from the scene, preventing national media from broadcasting any action.” Making clear that the police through carefully designed methods both avert any consequences of their actions on protestors and abuse their position of power to impose immense control on people, through this State monopolisation of violence, partaking in what is a fundamental democratic right.

Prior to COP26, I attended a protest in George Square to support the ethnic struggle under military rule in Palestine following the outbreak in violence after Palestinians protested the decision by the Supreme Court of Israel to evict 6 families in Sheikh Jarrah. Upon arrival I was met with an alarming number of officers, giving menacing stares despite the backdrop of protesters giving off a passionate but calm vibe. Following speeches from various commentators, activists and academics, protesters began making moves to march towards to BBC, subsequently leading to police resistance. There was plenty of pushing and generally minacious action from one party, which following retaliation led to arrests made. Again, attempts by journalists to broadcast were averted, with one journalist nearby me being barged out of the way. Despite there being limited coverage of the protest (due to the fact that Britain continue to fund this occupation to this day and have a history of imperial influence in Palestine) the police again limit the coverage of any violent or threatening behaviour on their behalf.

Ultimately, this has been exacerbated and will continue to be following political policy which legitimises this so called ‘facilitation.’ The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was passed in July this year which essentially grants the police force full power to shut down protests deemed ‘too noisy’ or ‘causing annoyance.’ As a result, strengthening the States control through their monopoly on violence whereby they can shut down protests against the status quo.

The real-life play-out of this bill is harrowing, as with the recent ‘Insulate Britain’ movement which has seen numerous roadblocks across the country, protesters have been hit with significant jail sentences following annoyance caused to commuters. With a very recent case of 9 protesters facing up to 6 months behind bars. While I do understand the annoyance side of this method of protesting to commuters who aren’t contributing the climate catastrophe on quite the same scale as multinationals, it cannot blind us to the bigger picture in that legislation is criminalising our ability to exercise our democratic freedom.

Despite the danger and threat imposed by authority, my takeaway message is do not let it stop you. As when the act of protest participation is fully deterred, democracy dissolves.