The following letter is in the Guardian this morning:
At a time when public service cuts are starting to bite, campaigners fromUK Uncut were on Sunday once again taking direct action on our high streets (Police use CS spray on tax protesters, 31 January). They were targeting Boots, which has moved to Switzerland, allowing the company to avoid paying millions in tax. Outside the Oxford Street branch of Boots, a police officer, without warning, used CS spray against demonstrators, three of whom were taken to hospital. When tax injustice enjoyed by the rich is combined so starkly with cuts in vital public services for the poor, and the government refuses to listen or act, people have the moral and legal right to protest.
The state is the collective democratic vehicle to serve the interests of all people of this country. And when acting through the police force, it has to be incredibly careful about not being perceived to be acting politically — to serve the interests of the rich against the poor.
We deplore the use of such aggressive policing techniques and call for a public inquiry to investigate and report on the use of CS spray against protesters on Sunday. They should also provide guidance on how they plan to police the many, widespread and popular protests that are bound to feature across society in the months and years to come.
Neal Lawson Compass
Mark Serwotka PCS
John Christensen Tax Justice Network
Deborah Doane World Development Movement
Ruth Tanner War on Want
Lisa Nandy MP Labour, Wigan
Caroline Lucas MP Green, Brighton Pavilion
Peter Tatchell campaigner
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I hope there is an inquiry and that it is more rigorous than the Iraq inquiries.
More than that, I hope that British people refuse to be subdued by such intimidation and will continue to protest peacefully until we are listened to.
It is galling to see a minority that is not content with achieving financial superiority but passes on it’s liabilities to the poorest, leaves the tax burden to the poorest and expects no opposition to their own agendas.
When politicians don’t represent the people, the people have to represent themselves.