‘Atos Two’ case “discontinued”

We are glad to announce that the case against the ‘Atos Two' is being ‘discontinued', i.e. dropped.

However, it is now more than ever necessary to continue the protests against Atos, to defy any attempts of police repression and to stand with those whose actions are being criminalised.

In September 2011, two Nottingham residents, a retired paediatric nurse and a wheelchair user were arrested following a peaceful protest at the local offices of Atos ‘Healthcare’. Faced with an impressive solidarity campaign and having a pathetically weak case, the CPS and Atos backed down and the charges of aggravated trespass were dropped.

The prosecution stated that they would “discontinue” the case, the reason given was that the “complainant no longer supports the prosecution”. It is unknown whether this change of mind was due to Atos’ concerns of further bad publicity or whether coppers and/or CPS advised the “complainant” to back off before their case would have been dismantled in court (or maybe both).

In any case it is without question that the remarkable acts of solidarity by hundreds of people did make a significant impact. The public pressure mounting up even before the trial had started will have made an impression, demonstrating the importance of such practical acts of solidarity and the potential of mutual aid and support.

The ‘Atos Two’ have asked us to express their gratitude to everyone who has supported them over the last few months and let you know that you’re all fantastic!

However, it mustn’t be forgotten that this case of political policing, an attempt to intimidate protesters and deter further acts of direct action, is not an isolated one. The arrests of Notts Uncut activists just before X-Mas and the confiscation of a photography student’s tapes after he filmed an arrest indicate that the local force is changing their attitude towards peaceful protest. This seems to have been confirmed by a police officers’ remark who commented on the arrest of the ‘Atos Two’ by stating that there “had been too much of this sort of thing and we were told to crack down on it”.

Furthermore Atos is still committed to make people’s lives a misery and the company remains one of the many examples why we need much more of “this sort of thing”.

Therefore we must continue to protest against Atos and to defy any attempts of intimidation by direct action. We must also engage in acts of practical solidarity with those who find themselves subject to police repression and/or caught up in the justice system.

Whether someone is being harassed or assaulted by law enforcers in the streets, put through a WCA, dragged through the courts or locked away in prisons or detention centres, an injury to one is an injury to all!

Join us for a protest against Atos ‘Healthcare’ and police repression on Friday 3rd February 2012 at 12.30pm.

Links:

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Contact email: nottsdefence [at] riseup.net