(Not satire – I’m sorry to say.)
A female disability activist had her home raided yesterday by South Wales Police who attempted to intimidate her into stopping posting comments on Facebook critical of government cuts and specifically the Department of Work and Pensions and their attacks on the rights of disability claimants.
In her own words:
I’ve just had the police forcing their way into my flat near midnight and harrassing me about my “criminal” posts on Facebook about the DWP, accusing me of being “obstructive”. I didn’t know what in f**k’s name they were on about. They kept going on and on at me, it was horrifically stressful, and they only left after I started crying uncontrollably.
Interestingly, the activist says the police where informed about her activities by a leading member of the PCS union which represents DWP staff.
The police officers did not charge her. They clearly were just attempting to scare her into stopping her political activities.
The woman was alone in her own home. She was left feeling frightened and vulnerable – by the very people who should be protecting her.
If the police wanted to talk to her, why did the officers choose to enter her home at midnight on a Friday? Why didn’t they inform her in writing or interview her at a police station so she could arrange for a lawyer to be present?
At best this is unprofessional behaviour on the part of South Wales Police, at worst it is political harassment of an individual worthy of a dictatorial state such as China or North Korea.
Well done South Wales Police. You must be very proud of yourselves.
.
I’ve kept the identity of the woman secret for obvious reasons but if anyone would like more information about what happened to her, leave your email address in the comments below and I’ll ask her to contact you. Thanks.
Pride's Purge 
Reblogged this on kickingthecat.
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How long before South Wales police employ Bettison to smear this poor woman’s name?
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only the beginning: who told the police to raid her?
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Apparently it was a member of a trade union, who works for the DWP. Lots of information in my story over at http://mikesivier.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/police-move-on-campaigners-for-criminal-acts-against-dwp/
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Excellent blog. I see from what you say it’s happened before.
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Thank you very much! Yes, it’s happened many times before, and that’s why there’s a movement to change the law. We can hope that this will be the tipping-point, if enough people hear about it and demand change.
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That is shocking and i hope a formal complaint is going in about this. I would be interested in knowing more. I sit on the Wales TUC from the RMT Union. I am an RMT official.
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I would hope that no one will support any union which supports such acts of intimidation against the chronically ill and disabled.
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And I will also say they should remember their actions the next time they are demanding public sympathy for any strikes! Especially any unions representing DWP or Atos workers!
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I felt morally compelled to share this! I have heard much political rhetoric about the UK needing to be competitive with countries like China. Looks like they have gone for the low hanging fruits first though eh?
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Horrible for you
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Another reason why I laugh at the disability hate crime posters that say to inform the police if you’re disabled and receiving any sort of abuse or harassment – from what I hear from other disabled people the police are the last people you should trust.
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Important – There’s not one shred of evidence that a member of a trade union contacted the police, this is just conjecture.
It’s possible that disgruntled DWP worker did contact the police, but it’s equally possible that they were monitoring a fairly public online discussion which was getting rather heated – PCS was being accused of directly killing disabled people, because it’s members work for the DWP – the police also apparently enquired about a completely unrelated local anti-deportation demo.
I’d imagine as a group engaging in a lot of direct action that there could well be some police monitoring of social network sites.
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No excuse for this act, This Woman’s life history is at the end of a button push. Clearly the police know this was the wrong way to operate <<<<< ??
wonder who give the go a head?
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This leaves me sad and angry, if I can help in any way please let me know
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Living in Wales myself and knowing an officer based in the location this lady lives (but he himself isn’t living there) I am not saying this didn’t happen but the police have a tough job policing the area on a Friday night without raiding a woman’s home..Something else must have occurred ..Sorry but there are two sides to a story we have nobody else’s account of this..
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I Would advise her to see a lawyer immediately and complain to the PCC.
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Please ask her to contact Dave Lupton aka Disabled cartoonist and activist. My email is ‘daveluptoncartoons@live.co.uk’ Thanks 🙂
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Dave Lupton aka Crippen
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Hi… we’d be interested in either republishing this piece, or (preferably) publishing a longer piece if the activist in question (or someone on her behalf) would like to write one.
She or you can submit an article here: http://policestate.co.uk/create/article
Or just let us know if you’d prefer us to just copy-paste this one. Cheers!
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Not sure she’d write anything more. I’ll ask. But you can copy-paste this one by all means.
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how you know its this union member at dwp?
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I don’t – that’s why I said “apparently”. What gives it that appearance is the fact that the woman who was visited by the police said that was the case. I can’t use that as proof positive; I can only say that this is how it appears to be, at the moment.
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i thought you were having me on… then realised it was about one of the least funny things i ever heard, and that’s just not like you… It makes for very uneasy reading but no doubt the more we’re all clued up, the better, so thankyou. It’s not authority i have a problem with, it’s the f*ckers invested with it.
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As a unison activist working for Brighton & Hove Unemployed Workers Centre, I don’t believe the question of whether the person is a member of PCS is at all relevant.
On the contrary, being a member of a union they should be more than aware that attacking the disabled and claimants is the best route to losing their own jobs.
The Police action was outrageous but not untypical and the person in question should both make a formal complaint and consider taking legal action – did they have a warrant? If not, then it is trespass. I advise only on employment law but there may be a case for assault, given the fear they engendered.
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I agree. I don’t mind saying I’m extremely uneasy with the whole union/activist aspect – typical divide and conquer.
There are real questions here about the tactics of the police and freedom of speech to be considered.
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It’s quite possible that the “PCS union member” line that the officers spun is, at best, ad lib invention and, at worst, an attempt to fracture opposition to unpopular disability/welfare abolition and public sector employment cuts along some wished-for sectarian lines. I can’t believe that a pair of ignorant plod came up with it all on their own, however, so I would like to know who sent ’em.
Still, nice to know that the people of Cardiff need have no fear of robbery, rape or murder, since their police force have ample time for a bit of stasi-style political intimidation of lone, disabled women in between tea breaks. Don’t they understand that this government wants to sack all of them and steal their pensions, too?
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can you send me more details and post regularly also go on protest rallys would love to know who done this, c.e.lewis@ntlworld.com thank you
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Pingback: Welfare-related links for September 6th through October 27th | Help Me Investigate Welfare
Hello Babs,
You made a perfectly valid, devils advocate point about the thread.
Dpac are a campaign and support group consisting mainly of people claiming disability benefits from the DWP.
For over 4 years, a private company called Atos have been conducting assessments of claimants as to their eligibility to disabled person benefits and support..
Over the past two years, the Atos assessment has drawn much criticism from disabled people and carers, over the way sick and vulnerable people have been handled.
Many people are left feeling anxious and frightened, some die of medical complications related to their medical condition, some take their own life.
It would be easy to dismiss this incident as a one off, a bad call by someone at Atos, the DWP, the PCS union or South Wales Police.
Yet the pivotal issue, is that people with long term health conditions, have to form protest and support groups AT ALL?
There are several campaign groups set up on social media, with subscribers from a wide spectrum of society.
People with physical, mobility, neurological, mental, cognitive or sensory conditions are being told their benefits are going to be reduced, or stopped altogether if they don’t go and find a job.
I am able bodied with a degree and I have been looking for work for two years without success.
Imagine how someone with a disability feels, being told they have a year to get a job, or lose all financial support.
If the Police had “better things to do last night” I would agree totally.
If a member of the community has reported this woman for campaigning against political and press attacks upon the dignity of the people she speaks up for, then not only are the police wasting time, but drawing attention to a tangible decline in the fabric of society.
Yes, there are angry, outspoken people with an axe to grind. Most are too sick, old or disabled to start a proper riot, they are not plotting to assassinate anyone.
Parallels have been drawn to the treatment of “the disabled and feeble minded” by the Victorians and the Nazis.
But if you care to read the popular press over the last ten years or so, stories of benefit scrounging and abuse of the benefit system.
Its a lie, the whole media campaign against people on benefits is based upon lies and FALSE evidence.
You are right Babs, there is more to this story than meets the eye.
When you look into it, it makes for very upsetting and frightening agenda, which is bringing people to the brink of despair, with disabled people experiencing hate crime, its occurred to me, I cannot stand idly by, like the German people did when the Nazi party came for the disabled, the communists, the gays and the Jews.
We all know how that story ended.
Lets not let it happen again eh Babs?
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What is this? Outrageous? Any press reporting? As a South Wales resident I’m horrified Jayne
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IPCC – not PCC.
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gimme more info please, this is messed up.
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No matter what this woman has said about DWP, Atos or anybody else, it’s a civil matter, and absolutely outside the police’s purview.
This was intimidation, and illegal.
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Superb post, Drew!
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Did they have a warrent?
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Hate crime against disabled goiing up and not being investigated so police harass those who want to protect disabled
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This is atrocious behaviour by these officer’s. I was a special constable for almost 5 year’s and if this kind of scare tactic was to be employed by any of my regular colleagues. I would have gone to the national press about it. I am sickened that they did this to someone who is standing up for other people. This is victimization at the highest level and illegal. Intimidation by police ended like this when the 1983 Police and Criminal Evidence came into effect. I hope she will be able to get on with her life and if she need’s any help in the future. I’m only too proud to let her have my email address. Just let the Police try it on with me and I’ll make them regret it.
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Reblogged this on retiredandangry and commented:
At first reading I found this story absolutely atrocious, and if accurately reported it is atrocious. Politicising of the Police, exactly what we have been predicting and fighting against. Do not forget though, that we have only heard one side of the story so far, to carry out this kind of operation at midnight seems to me like there was a specific reason for it. The register of premises searched (if the premises were searched)., the search warrant(if one existed) and the authority for obtaining the warrant may all throw more light onto this situation., but as reported this is a situation that is not in anyone’s best interests and I for one would like to hear the whole story, not just one side of it.
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I’m SO pleased you blogged this Tom, yesterday morning it was a fairly small story on FB – ATOS Miracles, thanks to them
I personally was also devastated by this having been through a very similar incident 27 years ago (for different but equally ridiculous reasons, the Police ‘acting’ on some unknown ‘intelligence’) – suppose it shows as I blogged the other day http://jaynelinney.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/the-history-of-lies-fiction-fairy-tales/
The Elite always feel we the people, are nothing more than their personal toys to abuse as they will.
MANY THANKS Tom
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We were only obeying orders
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Can I have your email address too, please? I’m in DPAC too so I know the lady concerned…
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I came across a disabled man blogging against DPAC calling them liars and saying they were supporting fake disabled eg drug addicts and benefit scroungers
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If we all post the same will they come?
Reading this account saddens me for the sake of the person the Police thought it would be OK to ‘scare’ late at night for what? Freedom of speech?
Wondering whether as a group of Social Media Activists we can’t agree on, and post, a similar item as the the DPAC activist, and see if we are all ‘intimidated’ en masse?
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Pingback: And if you speak out, they will come…at night.. and errr give you a fright. (The #Police, allegedly.) #disability #ATOS #DWP | Dawn Willis sharing the News & Views of the Mentally Wealthy
At the risk of having Godwin’s Law invoked or my being accused of levity, this is a must see – “Iain Duncan Smith – ATOS Downfall Parody”
Enjoy!
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Your activism was connected with the ant-ipoll tax riots I see? I remember those times too – the police became very politicised, just as now.
At around the same time, I was arrested for ‘obstruction’ in central London near a support the miners demonstration.
The officer put me in a van and told me to take off the ‘coal not dole’ sticker I was wearing or he would charge me with obstruction.
When I told him I thought it was surprising the police were enforcing lack of free speech in the UK, he charged me with obstruction.
So these things definitely do happen. However, IMHO I don’t think it’s a thought-out deliberate conspiracy. I think it’s individual officers making really unprofessional, crap decisions.
They should be brought to heel for such unprofessional behaviour though.
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A couple of us are setting up an FB page purely for collation of such evidence , I had to write this morning -http://jaynelinney.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/680 and it seems there’s a good few of us with similar experiences. Keep you posted?
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Yes please.
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Hi, can you get me more details on this? I’m devoting an entire segment of my blog to issues with disability benefit/corruption, and would like to highlight incidents like this. contact@truthfanatics.com
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Who cares about your status obsession. Unions only further a system that kills people.
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I’ve given her your email address.
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Please tell. Me more of. What happend. To that person who was raided
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What is the legal definition of obstruction?
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I heard that a lot of grassing up a benefit cheat to dwp was malevolent calling. Maybe whats going on fits disability hate crime which is on the increase
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I am a disabled activist, with 30+ years of mental ill health, who works but also relies on my benifits for my caring and to keep me well.
I think that the police’s action in this were just plain wrong, bring woken up in the middle of the night and having the police force their way into your home is disgusting!
However I think it raised an issue for us as camapigners about how we use social media. I know (as in social media know) the person invoved, and saw that she posted on a number of facebook gourps in the run up to this, including how she felt she was left with no option but to set fire to herself in a job centre around the actions of DWP staff and their involvement with ATOS. If I were her friend of somone form the jobcenter worker union this would have set alarm bells ringing in my head.
I hope the person in question complains about the police, she was arrested a few days before as part of a direct action, and I’d say this could be them intimidating her. but I also hope she is looking after herself, as the dealing I’ve had with bennifit assesments have had a huge knock on on my health, and has lead me to further suicide attempts. Now I’m feeling a bit more on an even keel I’d offer a friendly word to her that killing yourself as part of a protest directed at other workers isn’t (in my opinion) the answer.
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The police should be investigating hate crime against disabled not harassing disabled protestors
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This was not a curtesy call or a concern for your welfare visit. This was an aggressive police visit that forced themselves into her flat and pulled her out of bed and cross examined her for many minutes untile she broke down and then they left. Not exactly a caring supportive visit. Also it was clear by the police reasons given and interrogation and referral to “criminal” posts on Facebook that this was about her Free expression. Not about her safety or govt or national safety.
The post posted before this happned was a description of DPAC Wales meeting with a Public Service union official and being told the union are no longer discussing things with Welsh DPAC because they questioned the real commitment and interest in disabled welfare seeing as the protect inappropriate and abusive DWP staff, and were more concerned about their jobs and pensions. Because of this the union instead of replying decided to take the huff and refuse to engage with DPAC Wales. The poster then went on to say that it then came out that Welsh public unions were meeting with DPAC UK without their involvement and things being discussed and arranged without the Welsh disabled DPAC being involved.
The poster then went on to say how she was shocked, and that she was only trying to highlight that however the union was trying to protect their members/staff perks and pensions that as disabled they were trying to protect disabled as many were losing basics, food and homes and even their lives. The union seemed more concerned about their offended ego than the real danger and abuse to disabled.
The poster then went on as how she and others who ahd been lifelong Trade Union members felt very let down and shocked.
The blog went on with others also venting their disappointment and dismay at unions and the willingness of unions to sacrifice disabled and the lives of disabled for their jobs and were very nasty to them.
The post went on with heated discussion and a very strong anti feeling that no criticism of union or left should be allowed or voiced. It was when this was going on, an apparently healthy active discussion that the poster then found the police banging down her door, forcing entry, dragging her from her bed and accusing her of criminal act of posting insults against Public Service Unions on Facebook.
Then even though shocked, she posted, and even so, post came back telling her she brought it on herself for posting against unions and should “Be careful what she posts, as she will be watched.” I am not so sure if this implied the special branch or some peevish left/union person.
I am sorry for those who want to keep saying about not splitting ranks. But it is like the 1980s and even now that some on the opposition will threaten, intimidate and misuse wrong reporting to police and misuse of process and proceedure to harass and intimidate people, even disabled, lone female and elderly. Sorry, you all need to grow up and realise that there are many on the left and opposition and unions who are just has mad and spiteful as any one else.
People have a right to say. And in 80s and before and in last few years and months the opposition has been filled and dominated by those who are prepared to intimidate and threaten anyone who questions, or opposes or sticks up for themselves.
There are a lot of agendas here, and they are not all for us or the independence and freedom of any individual who chooses to disagree and has a perfect right to disagree.
Yours
AA
And do not ask me about my ride into the black side of our radical opposition movement in the last few years and even weeks/ Not everyone who is for us, is for us. Very peevish lot. and no one can speak for disabled except disabled and for unions to lock them out and ban them from meetings undermines the very cause we have. To give disabled a right to have a voice and be heard without anyone else speaking for them. I feel the post above intentionally tried to derride and undermine this posters character and reasons police visited her. There is a great practice among some to defame any disabled or anyone who disagrees with them. I have the highest respect for the poster. and agree with her sentiments and experience of unions and the left who say they represent us, but don’t.
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The disability activist involved in this incident should contact me at disabilityinliterature@gmail.com as I regularly report to the UN on the crisis for the sick and disabled.
Thanking you in advance.
—
Samuel Miller
E-Mail: disabilityinliterature@gmail.com
Blog: Hephaestus: Disability Studies
http://illnessandcivilization.blogspot.com/
Blog: My Disability Studies Blackboard
http://mydisabilitystudiesblackboard.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Hephaestus7
(Montreal, Canada)
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Poster posts tonite.
I for one would very much like to work with PCS. I’ve been trying really hard to do so, but they have ignored my numerous requests to meet with their reps. In the last few days they have refused to work with us or engage with us unless we pretend that their staff in DWP have nothing to do with the destruction of our lives. It’s not DPAC that’s refusing to work with or attacking PCS, it’s the other way round. I also notice that PCS has not made any declaration that they did not set the police on me last week, and they’ve given no assurances that they respect disabled peoples’ right to protest against the arm of the state that’s destroying us.
There are great questions. Some cannot accept any opposition, criticism or argument. That does not make for a democracy.
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Pingback: Police Raid Female Disability Activist’s Home For Facebook Posts ‘Criticising DWP’ « Same Difference
If she can, she should sue those police officers. Are we in china?
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I would like further info on this. It appears that there has been a serious breech of this lady’s human rights and the lady may consider taking legal advice. ymgorriagan@yahoo.co.uk
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And why has there been no mention of this in the mainstream press? Hmmm
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Essential reading. In case you are next.
Please pass around. Ta
Also, know in advance a solicitor firm you will ask for who are good with activist cases, don’t take “duty” and don’t take random. No time to say why right now, just don’t.
Ask around to find out who is good. Some are. Many are not. It really can be the difference between jail and getting off sometimes.
That’s why guilty people who know this kind of thing get away with stuff, and why innocent can get clobbered. CPS and police need results and clear up rates more than they need justice. That’s professional and systemic, not personal – and not a reflection on the integrity of individuals.
Click to access SEARCHING_PREMISES.pdf
Click to access No_Comment_4th_Edition.pdf
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Who made the complaint for the police to investigate it. Also midnight seems rather an odd time to visit. I dont think thats in the rule book. If a complaint had been made about noise being made late at night that would be different but it seems that was not the case. When has it been deemed illegal to complain or protest about something you feel is wrong. Alsp on whose behalf were they acting on? Atos? Do the police now work as security agents for private companies? Atos took out a cease and desist order on another protest website that was bad enough but having the police doing midnight visit sounds quite sinister , can she sue them?
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The reference to the rowan atkinson speech on youtube . First i get ‘general error ‘ when yrying to watch it. I dont know why. Next be earned that on the commrnts section there is a lot of idiotic far right ranting complete with stupid statistics and dates and general apprasment stuff about hitler youth eg they wete forced at gunpoint and didnt really like hitler blah blah etc so be warned
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Apologies for typos . Iphone keypads are a pain in the behind for typing and spelling . With my regard to the atkinson video on youtube.
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would like to know more – from a political activist too – susanholmes12@gmail.com
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Well i have read a blog written by a disabled guy who has a major grudge against dpac. I forearded the link to dpac to get them to be aware of this guy . He claims that dpac represents drug addicts and benefit scroungers and only wishes he was dead. Its pretty messed up stuff. Simon stevens is his name. He has a blog called dpac kills.
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Tom as i have just posted there are a few people out there who have a grudge against dpac it seems as i have found one already . Sad as this person is disabled themselves. He claims that dpac lies all the time and represent fake disabled ie the people who steal our money he says. Google dpac kills by simon stevens i think is his name . I posted his blog to dpac. They were pretty shocked
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id like too know if i can get some more info about this and other such cases and if we can do anything too help then please let know @ vfor2012@gmail.com or Anonymous NorthWales goup on Facebook thanks
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So you’ve got no source, footage, records or references which makes this completely pointless
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Not naming a source is not the same as not having one – if anyone is interested enough to know – a brief look on FB would reveal the source, it’s not exactly a secret. It’s just obviously not right to plaster someone’s personal details here.
BTW, a formal complaint about the incident to South Wales Police has already been made so I’m sure it’s not the last we’ve heard of it.
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I find this appalling, that anyone would harass anyone else in this way. I am not from Wales, but the US, and an activist, and due to being hit by a woman in a car 5 years ago am no longer eligible to work, even If I could work, no company would hire me simply due to the medications I have to take every day. So there are many things I can sympathize with this woman on.
First, I’d like to ask, does the Wales Police have number’d police badges like they do here? so that you can get a policeman’s badge ID and verify it was actually the police that were harassing her and not people ‘dressed like the police.”
This was such a common tactic in the US that now even Police uniforms can only be sold to active police members and each shirt, tie, piece of clothing must be accounted for. i.e. The stores report exactly what was sold and to which policeman. The police then have to turn it it to be destroyed when the garment has worn out.
Just another thought. I find it so hard to comprehend that persons who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of criminals would act in such a criminal way. If my husband wasn’t russian, I would have a harder time comprehending it, but there the police will stop you walking on a street and if you don’t pay them off, they will take you to jail, right there. Or at least the *corrupt* ones will.
Understand also when I say I have a hard time comprehending it, doesn’t mean I don’t believe her, I absolutely do. I just mean that I don’t understand why anyone would go to such lengths. However, from the insurance company/organization which is paying her disability. Now I could see them doing it in a heartbeat. They do the same thing here, and harass individuals like the paparazzi harass stars. They will follow them any/ever where to take photo’s and build a case that the person isn’t really disabled. .
Random thoughts I had and wanted to share. 🙂
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Pingback: Update 4: The DWP, Benefits, Atos, etc.. « MADD Suspicions
I would be delighted if the young lady would contact me at graemebeard@yahoo.co.uk
I too post regularly on the net regarding this governments appalling attacks on the disabled. I look forward to my ‘raid’.
Dr. Graeme Beard.
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Next we’ll be getting ‘she deserved it well done police these communist terrorist subversives trying to destroy the econimc well being of this country ‘
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Since when did the UK become a Fascist state oh hang on that happened when the Coalition got into power. This is absolutely disgraceful and someone needs to be held accountable
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For disabled read ‘scrounger’ for protestor read ‘terrorist’ so now we get scrounger terrorist the best of both worlds hey a new bogeyman to blame
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Thanks for the info. Got it in my bookmarks now. Incidentally, the only reason I have to keep m,y door locked is to keep the police out.
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I was only following orders, guys…
Ahh the excuse of the sheep that serve tyrants.
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This is disgusting, and unbelievable to hear. Though I believe it. This sort of sht probably goes on a lot more than we hear about… Kudos to her for having the courage to stand up against the dogs of the state.
If there are any good officers left in the police (I doubt it, with the power obsessec narcissists and vindictive mild aspies I’ve met when dealing with ‘police’) they should whistleblow to non mainstream media outlets, regardless of whichever political affiliation it is. Whether its The Socialist Worker, or Liberty Daily Paper, anybody in the police ‘service’ (some laugh there) who disagrees with the actions of their privately purchased colleagues should expose it. Otherwise, we shall become Morocco where corporations can pay police to work as assassins.
Having had my own bad experiences with the UK’s finest officers, I am more than willing to have my details handed to the lady concerned, if she wants. I’ve suffered it all; illegal police theft of legally held property on the arbitrary decision of an officer, threatened with the taser for refusing to give over details for their database on an illegal stop and search, tasered for the filming of police beating a man in a Manchester street, threatened with kidnap (sorry, meant to say warrantless arrest) due to criticising the job centre for not being able to deal with people that are actually in possession of qualifications, and threatened with arrest by an off duty cop for speaking too loudly for his liking in a shisha bar in Portsmouth.
Police stations are a den of vipers and thieves.
Let’s hope for posting this, I don’t meet the same fate as that Moroccan rapper did recently….
Giver her my email: oggalliers@ymail.com
(PS, if anybody spams me they will be trolled).
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The same shit went on under Labour.
It’s just escalated with the ‘Coalition’.
Every election will get worse; this is called the totalitarian tiptoe.
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This is outrageous! please pass on my email address to the lady in question margaretannwyld@hotmail.com
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This is an utter disgrace. What does her MP have to say about this? I hope to god it’s not some Tory apologist because this is utterly beyond the pale.
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Not sure which one is worse. Police Tasering a blind man for confusing his white stick for a Samurai or this one.
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Please pass my email to the lady since this is something that might happen to any one of us anti-atos/dwp activists and we need to nip this problem in the bud. Unbelievable! : lopcute@hotmail.co.uk
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I’m a reporter from the South Wales Echo, I was sent a link to this blog and I was wondering if you might be able to pass my contact details on to the woman involved for a possible story. I’m on 02920243614 or claire.miller@mediawales.co.uk
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OK – I’ve passed on your email to her.
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I am a reporter at the Independent and I’d very much like to talk to the person involved asap. I’d be grateful if you could pass on my details – k.rawlinson@independent.co.uk.
Regards,
Kevin
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Very concerned, would like to know more and how it all turns out…
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thanks for posting. thats very useful. But ojne thing I don’t understand: “If you have been arrested for any offence, not just an arrestable offence”
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Cops are the biggest armed gang of thugs loose on the streets today!
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Arrested for looking at me in a funny sort of way
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They were arresting prople for all kinds of things during royal wedding
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Those white sticks should be outlawed absolutely lethal in the hands of blind people
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UK uncut were arrested cos of fortnums drspiye assurances thdy would not be. The nbc depicted them as anarchist shop smashers . Police told them that there was pressure from above. Seems to me that business now runs the police
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Grr iphone keypads. ‘Despite’ and ‘BBC ‘
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I can assume the police have people to read all forms of social media now including blogs do they hire agency staff to do this? Or does it come under the defence of the realm ie intelligence agencies?
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No doubt this blog is being read and being fuly noted . Is leaving email addresses a good idea?
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Kevin who does the monitoring of media in the police now ? Do you know?
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Dear mr policeman if you are reading this i would like to make it clear that i do not know anyone on here at all and i do not normally associate myself with these types ie communist subversives out to overthrow the very nice people running this country eg Richard branson etc . I just wandered onto this site looking for hamster porn. Oh damn what a give away
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Can protestors be reported to security if their actions impeded the normal flow of business in this country upsetting the economic ‘well being’ of the UK?
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If this is true, then this is truly nuts and a serious breach of the right to free speech. And could be against the law. Has this been passed to the IPCC?
The things that make me doubt it are:
a) why a raid?
b) if it was a raid for some obsecure reason, why a night time raid if its vvvvv low risk
c) why no charge if a search warrant or raid was approved?
It all seems a bit fishy to me. No evidence. Sorry if this is true though.
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Has it been made illegal to impede business in its normal and legal operations especially if its carrying out a govt contract?
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Police act to protect atos shareholders..
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Profits before people, as always…
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Maintain order at all times. Have you ever noticed whatever the crisis the ftse index is quoted and the emphasis is put on trade
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So.. upon googling “disabled activist wales” it comes up with a very recent story on the Independent, I presume about this. However clicking on the link to read the story it is not found… Hmm!!
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I just checked error 404 page not found
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Modest budget cutbacks due to labours wreckless spending are some of the comments on walesonline: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/10/20/anti-austerity-march-150-000-raise-a-voice-of-protest-91466-32073485/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom
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Saw this in usa disabled lawsuits affect business :
http://www.calwatchdog.com/2012/05/10/ada-lawsuit-abuse-divides-activists/
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Saw this in usa : disability lawsuits affecting. Business :
http://www.calwatchdog.com/2012/05/10/ada-lawsuit-abuse-divides-activists/
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More stuff in the usa concerning the FBI training against protestors :
http://truth-out.org/news/item/9618-newly-released-fbi-domestic-terrorism-training
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When everything is privatised eg roads etc pavements will also be privatised with that will come privatised policing. Laws which will be applied will be : ones the companies will dream up plus ones that on duty will encorce based on their prejudices and ones based om customers prejudiced eg undesirables gypsies asians immigrants students benefit scroungers aka disabled . Also police force hired to protect business and profits . No doubt they will be armed. Basically it will no different to what we already have.
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Yes I would be interested as to where this goes as new zealand police are always doing this in they are very scared of us it took 65 police to arrest one woman here in christchurch which is overkill
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The activist had them outnumbered obviously
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WARNING – if you are going to post your e-mail address in reply to this FIRST set up a free account at Hotmail or something – DO NOT post your ACTUAL e-mail address – you are ASKING for trouble if you do.
I don’t even know you and I can see your email address. You can have your IDENTITY STOLEN using ONLY your e-mail address.
I HIGHLY recommend you go and edit your posts and REMOVE your personal email.
This whole thing could be a set up to get access to your personal information.
Yours,
Tuple Witt
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Er. I did mention the email problem on here as you dont know who is monitoring blogs like these…
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please tell me more of what happen
jchristie1@hotmail.co.uk
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Beware of email harvesters – programs which work similarly to search engines web spiders/crawlers/robots looking for the “@” symbol and collecting the email addresses which are then targeted with spam offering dodgy meds, penis enlargement, porn etc.
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I was thinking in terms of a different sort of monitoring actually. And anyway does the met really need penis enlargement pills?
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Please pass on to her, would like to offer support- lastvoicesofgaia@gmail.com
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@Carl – an ‘arrest-able offence’ should probably be called a ‘chargeable offence’ instead. It means they can arrest you, and detain you for a short amount of time for questioning, or stop you from doing what you are doing, but you can’t be charged. For example, trespassing is not an arrest-able offence. They can remove you from the land, detain you, or arrest you (on suspicion, etc) but you cannot be charged with it. Aggravated trespass, or obstruction, whereby you stop people from legally going about their business, or insult, harass, intimidate, distress, threaten etc the landowner or their guests, is something which you can be charged for.
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Bit off topic but all the same just as IMPORTANT . Can you all you guys please dign this: Petition to Abolish Work for your Benefit/Workfare Schemes in the UK – e-petitions http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29356
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That’s very disturbing, did they have a search warrant?
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Pingback: Police question disability activist about ‘criminal’ posts on Facebook – UPDATE « Pride's Purge
Here’s an update with a detailed account of what happened:
https://tompride.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/police-question-disability-activist-about-criminal-posts-on-facebook-update/
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Hi, I’ve just come upon this blog post after following a link through Twitter. I’m a journalist with ITV Wales and would be interested on hearing more about this. Could you email me on gwyn.loader@itv.com please?
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I would like more details of what she actually said on facebook so here’s my email. lilycurtain@hotmail.co.uk
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Soon disagreeing with Government policy could become a criminal offence – what can we do to stop it?
https://www.facebook.com/notes/alun-buffry/beware-you-activists-big-brother-is-out-to-get-you/400170320053020
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A truly extraordinary story!! Not to say disturbing. I hope this woman has not been silent but has made very loud and politically embarrassing complaint to all and sundry about such unacceptable treatment!!!!!
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Pingback: Police question disability activist about 'criminal' posts on Facebook … « Facebook Disabled My Account
If she wants to take a claim against the police for this then here’s a list of good solicitors: http://netpol.org/solicitors/.
Solidarity
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I work for Huffington Post uk and am very interested in protecting disabled rights. Can you email me at felicity.morse@huffingtonpost.com?
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Hi there. I’m with Index on Censorship – we’ve been doing a lot of work on this kind of thing. Could you email me on padraig[at]indexoncensorship[dot]org? Thanks, Padraig Reidy
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I would also like some more info. leonoracat@yahoo.co.uk
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Welll in a way it alteady is from the point of view of certain sections of police and media oh and troll types. I see in usa fbi have been trained to combat domestic terrorism which includes eco terrorism and racial anyone who disagrees with the big corp state. Even our pwn met in reporting to high command ie big budiness city of london police listed occupy and incut in same communique as al quaeda. Well not to worry its been on news now that the met has been receiving back handers in donations to the tune of 20 million quid so thats alright then.
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Reblogged this on Gimp Stories and commented:
As States throughout the Western world continue their relentless attack on disadvantaged groups, the U.K.appears to have taken the lead on the rush to the bottom.
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Am wondering how this looks now in light of this recent story about this poor woman.
http://www.timloughton.com/hottopics-archive/communication_data/item_2012_04_19__03_28_27.htm
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If any journalist wants a story from this then follow the trail. Inkerman report on dpac and uncut. Then get bio of boss of inkerman.com a gerald moor. You will find carlton club and tories and mi5 types . Do wiki on moor and carlton club his connections etc. ive given tom some links to it all.
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I emailed you kevin. Check out inkerman.com they have been spying on dpac and uncut. Boss of inkerman is member of carlton club. Tory hangout where mi5 types meet too.
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Very odd indeed til you know who is behind it all.
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hi i am very interested in speaking to this lady or having more detail i am currently studying social inclusion and i’ve also been very active on pages arguing for trying to educate people mainly to fight the scapegoating of people with hidden disabilities who it seems are regularly being scapegoated by people with physical or commonly understood disabilities I would love to hear this woman’s story and verify it and maybe use it to put forth a few arguments for an up & coming assignment in which i will be creating an academic headline regarding police brutality in the uk . this ladies story fits perfectly with the main theme of the course which is based around anti discrimination and focuses on marginalized people . my email is the hardingtribe@hotmail.com
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It’s a lie. The plod they send to pick you up are totally disinterested in the case matter. They are just the escort service so the senior plods can question you. The arresting officers are not even allowed to discuss it with you until you get to the station. The only reason they would make a scene is if you were actively resisting arrest, in which case they have to treat you like any other criminal. My reaction when I was arrested was simply to ask if I could at least finish dressing and have a quick cigarette, since I’d be gone all day. They were quite reasonable.
That people are being hauled in for inconsequential facebook posts is obscene and wrong, but the way they actually do it is a great deal more mundane, unless what was said was directly threatening/menacing to an individual. But they don’t say what was actually said and he strikes me as the sort of professional whiner who would make a meal of it and is rinsing it for all it’s worth.
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Yeah these whiners eh? Nothing but trouble they are and all fantasists all of them. Its like suggesting that security services spy or monitor disabled activists for some reason. Like that would ever happen. Need shooting all of them.
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Hi,
I produce a local radio show that highlights abuses by the police and government. We’d love to cover this story in more detail.
We can run it with a false name and protect any private information.
We broadcast on Monday and Thursday mornings.
Looking forward to hearing from you
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@Tony have a look at this and investigate if you want: http://www.inkerman.com/assets/files/The%20Inkerman%20Group%20-%20INKERMAN%20PARALYMPICS%20UPDATE%20-%20310812.pdf
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Whats your radio’s contact details, as I also need to talk about police abuse of authority (and have email evidence to prove it happened).
Thanks in advance.
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I am afraid that the DWP would even find out that I blog as they would then assume that I am fit for full time work and put me in a coal mine somewhere, if we had any mining left in this country!
I think a lot of good work of past years for disabled people has been undone in a very short time by the current government, they give the impression that we are to blame for all the countries problems. The greedy bankers are safe though.
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janette.morgan@cambiangroup.com
I don’t necessarily care either way about this but would like to discuss police corruption with her.
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I’ve only just seen this blog today (25 Mar 13), but am horrified. I’d like to know more about this. I’m astonished at the police harassment and the lack of any legal framework for the their action. I sincerely hope this was challenged at Law.
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Pingback: Guess which country’s security services are monitoring Skype more than any other in the world | Pride's Purge
Welcome to South Wales folks.
A place where the Authorities keep a welcome in the hillsides for satanic rings and paedophiles.
No proud man, woman or child is safe in Wales.
That Lady needs to be careful, and sites like this one is her protection.
The latest weapon deployed by Welsh Police and Authorities on the likes of this honourable lady is “Sectioning”.
Aided by NHS WALES and the lucrative Clinics at Bridgend, law abiding citizens of the realm are being rounded up, Sectioned at Welsh Police Stations and locked away as secret prisoners courtesy of NHS WALES in Secure Mental Health Wards.
West Wales General Hospital (Glangwili) has a new Ward for that purpose. Having closed the one in Bronglais Hospital and moved it to Carmarthen.
Don’t be fooled they wil take your souls and your children.
Wales is not a safe place.
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Just a thought here, how did the lady know they were the Police? Did she get any details from them? Badge numbers? Names? Has she first taken a complaint to the PCC or the Chief Constables office?
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I’ve always believed that Facebook’s real name policy would more likely lead to censorship than the prevention of cyberbullying (inaccurately known as trolling by the mainstream media), and it looks as if I was right, what with people defacing memorial walls under their real names and stuff like this happening. So glad I never signed up and I’m free to protest from behind my (fairly common) pseudonym.
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@ Drew: I don’t think it’s fair of you to compare the UK with China. After all, I’ve seen evidence that the Chinese government looks after their disabled population.
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Hello, my email address is sickofnamewaisters@hotmail.co.uk. I would like the woman to contact me.
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