Dear John Swinney and Angela Constance
You will be aware of the spate of arrests of people protesting the horrors in Gaza following the proscription of Palestine Action.
Although we regard the decision to proscribe as absurd, malign and dangerous it is not the purpose of this letter to raise that issue with you, given that the legislation on terrorism has a UK-wide application. What we are seriously concerned about are the indications from recent protests that the actions of Scottish police are at best utterly inconsistent and at worst are playing into the hands of those who want to criminalise and suppress all peaceful protest about the UK’s complicity in the oppression and slaughter in Palestine. We have seen folk arrested for displaying placards and banners which are clearly not supporting a proscribed organisation and we are aware that police are checking on video sources after events and then proceeding to arrest. We have already an oppressive crackdown in Europe.
Police Scotland is accountable to the Scottish Police Authority, which in turn is accountable to the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament, giving obvious scope to these bodies for corrective influence in a case like this where police, in their interpretation of the terrorism legislation, are acting in a muddled, inconsistent and oppressive manner. Police Scotland itself recognises that “Policing in Scotland has a long and proud history based on the fundamental principle of policing by the consent of the people.” If the current pattern of aggressive policing and ridiculous arrests continues then that fundamental principle is at risk and we could be opening the door to policing to be the handmaid of autocracy. We can have some sympathy for ordinary constables who clearly are being asked to act on guidance from their superiors that is arbitrary, erratic and panic-driven. If this is not speedily checked a measure overtly designed to improve public safety will end up doing precisely the opposite.
Much is at stake. We urge you to raise this matter urgently with the Scottish Police Authority.
Janet Fenton
On behalf of
Secure Scotland, 58 Ratcliffe Terrace Edinburgh EH9 1ST
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