I've been called a bit of a tree hugger in the past. I've been called a lot worse too.

My contact with the UK police has been mainly face to face at protests. Sometimes baton to face. I know the US police can too get a 'bit heavy' man.

Excellent story in the Guardian today about the police and Climate Camp's response to the old Bill's requests.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/envi.....&commentposted=1

That was a good video, Rendevous.

Thanks for posting it.

I suppose there's a good and there's a bad side to everything.

I agree that the police are over the top with there approach and should refrain themselves more often.

But what about the hooligans who wanted a good old fashion fight?

As long as they stay away from my building and area I'm happy.

Thanks Chris, I'm quite fond of your contributions up here too.

I just hope that the next time you walk though London streets Jayrex you spare a thought for recent events the G20.

An innocent man, inconnected to protesters, died in London whilst trying to return home after work, likely due to a copper hitting him with his baton. Thankfully the results of the first post mortem, not done as it should have been by the Forensic Pathology Services were found to be false. An attempted cover up by police? Shurely shome mishtake occifer?

Even thought the cop was unprovoked, he hit Ian Tomlinson anyway. Don't believe me? Watch the news footage -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKwBqxZ--c8

And, of course, the inquiry will find no copper guilty of anything. They were all hard to identify since they illegally hid all their ID markings.

Just like poor old Jean Charles De Menezez. Nobody will pay for his murder. Even though they shot him five times on a tube train in front of commuters.

Can you blame Climate Camp for preferring to organise their own event without our glorious law eforcement brigade?

I'm not against the police. I just wish they'd act more like police and less like Nazis, who were also rather fond of barking alsatians.

London police are very fond of employing their latest technique "kettling". Do they not know kettles boil?

What's not to believe?  I already know they've covered their i.d batch and hit that guy.  They even hit that bird from Notting Hill?  She was a celebrity for a week.

But what about the protesters dressing up as police?  Sounds a bit weird when it's an innocent protest, and they even had a van decked out like a police van.

It's the hooligans and the nutters who enjoy mixing it up alongside the innocent protesters and damage stuff.

Once again, Rendy, it's coming back to the Jack Nicholson line in 'A Few Good Men'.

Are the police sometimes too aggressive? Yes, but protesters are known to be aggressive as well - it's like the one that 'Two Jags' hit. That bum got what he deserved. Ultimately, it's down to the cause, and sometimes protesters do more harm than good.

Andrew

Oh Andry, let's not bring the mullet with the great aim and Chubby Champagne Socialists into it. My, we'll be talking about Mad Mandy next. Who made him a Lord. The Sith?

I think it's often a case of it's two to have an argument. Obviously we're just having a discussion here. I think police tactics, the ID covering up. Taking cameras off innocent people for filming coppers up to no good is one of my mine gripes.

Of course the other is murder.

Jayrex. I saw the footage of the hitting the woman.

And protesters dressed up as police. I don't think those guys are protesters. Those are the guys the police should be dealing with.

I think the word 'protestors' is getting a wider meaning than it deserves. Ian Tomlinson and JC De Menezez certainly weren't protestors. They were innocent men on their way to and from work.

Protest is a democratic right. Everybody who turns up to one isn't a protestor. Whether the government and police like it or not.