In the first of a three-part series on heightened ‘security’ culture, we look at the increase in oppressive policing, surveillance and militarization of society, explore the state’s reasons for this and begin to suggest ways to fight back.
NOW MORESO THAN ever, those of us who don’t fit in with the aims of the state are under attack. As the economic situation worsens and people fight back, these attacks carried out by the state and their supporters will grow, and take various forms. Young people, the unemployed, trades unionists, travellers, the sick and disabled, migrants, and protesters (amongst others) are demonised in the media and calls are made for them to be controlled.
There is an unprecedented attack on benefits claimants – through cuts, sanctions and the use of ATOS to penalise the disabled. Workfare is used as a form of slave labour, obliging the unemployed to work for free. In terms of surveillance, Britain now has more C.C.T.V. cameras per head than any other country and the authorities are calling for tighter controls on our phone calls and e-mails.
Through the so-called ‘justice’ system last year, poor rioters were tried straight away and handed top-heavy sentences by special courts, while the rich and powerful get away with crimes like tax evasion scott free. Even the high profile friends of the David Cameron charged with corruption and phone hacking are yet to see proper trial. The right to protest is being eroded. This year the courts have ruled it legal to kettle demonstrators and to arrest and hold people before they commit any offence, like those arrested during last year’s royal wedding.
Ian Tomlinson is the most well-known of those who have died at the hands of the police, but 15 people have died in/following police custody between 2011 and 2012. Also, remember that no police officer has been successfully prosecuted for a death in this country since the 1960’s. Events like the Olympics and the Jubilee are used in two ways by the state: to both increase security (military, police or private security) firms erasure of rights, and to get the public used to seeing soldiers on the streets. What was once rare in the security field now becomes the norm. People who complain, or refuse to comply, are branded as ‘subversive’ or, worse, ‘unpatriotic’, and requires control.
So what can we do about the increased militarisation of the forces against us?
Firstly, we need to publicise what is happening. Secondly, we need to join with others on what unites us, not what divides us. Through organisations like anti-cuts campaigns, we can increase our numbers and build up our strength. Thirdly, we must not be intimidated by the authorities: some leftwing groups now ask for the permission to demonstrate, which just leads to more restrictions on our right to protest. We need to remember that the streets are ours, not theirs.
