Stop Search

[Thistown]

I am going to rant now because I am really, really angry. I was just out in Angel (Islington, London) and I get off the bus, and I notice two police officers looking at me. This happens quite a bit, so I didn't really think about it. Then, roughly five minutes later I was walking past Borders/HMV and they approach me, and tell me they need to do a search. I ask them why, and they say it's under the terrorism act. I know people who have got arrested for not allowing themselves to be searched for this, so I decided to get it over and done with.

I hand one of them my bag, and the other one goes "We recognise you from Indymedia [it's an activist website] and Foxtons." [Anti-Foxtons demonstration I was at a few months ago outside the Angel branch, 15 of us, 40 police]. I didn't really know what to say, so I just nodded. Then they start doing all the questions and stuff, and they asked for my name. I told them they already have it. They said they didn't. I said that the police force have taken my name billions of times. I then got a lecture about how they're not a 'force' they're a 'service'. They keep asking me why I'm here, if we have any more demonstrations planned, what political groups I'm part of. I wouldn't answer this, but they keeped mentioning Class War and Antifa, which I am involved in. I didn't tell them I was but it's still scary when they know. I told them my date of birth and they wouldn't believe me, they kept saying I was lying.

I got a nice bit of paper with all the notes they made about me on it.

Reason for stop: Terrorism
Height: 5"6
Female
Identity Code eek: W1 White British
Headwear: None
Upper Body: White T-Shirt
Lower Body: Blue tights, light blue skirt
Footwear: White and pink Doc Martins
Hair: Large afro-style hair (this made me laugh...)

And then all the personal info that I'm not putting here for obvious reasons.

But even though this kind of thing has happened to me before, never a proper, formal search. I'm really, really, really angry. 1984...

F*** that, I say! And i thought America was bad...cranky shit heads.... Sorry that happened to you... That makes me mad NO RIGHTS. As The Clash would sing; know you rights you only have 3 of them.

 

[chica]

I am going to rant now because I am really, really angry. I was just out in Angel (Islington, London) and I get off the bus, and I notice two police officers looking at me. This happens quite a bit, so I didn't really think about it. Then, roughly five minutes later I was walking past Borders/HMV and they approach me, and tell me they need to do a search. I ask them why, and they say it's under the terrorism act. I know people who have got arrested for not allowing themselves to be searched for this, so I decided to get it over and done with.

I wonder what would have happened if you'd said "oh, okay" and started taking off your clothes Sounds like a silly way of protesting, but one must be subversive even when one's hands are tied!

 

[Morrissey the 23rd]

I am going to rant now because I am really, really angry. I was just out in Angel (Islington, London) and I get off the bus, and I notice two police officers looking at me. This happens quite a bit, so I didn't really think about it. Then, roughly five minutes later I was walking past Borders/HMV and they approach me, and tell me they need to do a search. I ask them why, and they say it's under the terrorism act. I know people who have got arrested for not allowing themselves to be searched for this, so I decided to get it over and done with.

I hand one of them my bag, and the other one goes "We recognise you from Indymedia [it's an activist website] and Foxtons." [Anti-Foxtons demonstration I was at a few months ago outside the Angel branch, 15 of us, 40 police]. I didn't really know what to say, so I just nodded. Then they start doing all the questions and stuff, and they asked for my name. I told them they already have it. They said they didn't. I said that the police force have taken my name billions of times. I then got a lecture about how they're not a 'force' they're a 'service'. They keep asking me why I'm here, if we have any more demonstrations planned, what political groups I'm part of. I wouldn't answer this, but they keeped mentioning Class War and Antifa, which I am involved in. I didn't tell them I was but it's still scary when they know. I told them my date of birth and they wouldn't believe me, they kept saying I was lying.

I got a nice bit of paper with all the notes they made about me on it.

Reason for stop: Terrorism
Height: 5"6
Female
Identity Code eek: W1 White British
Headwear: None
Upper Body: White T-Shirt
Lower Body: Blue tights, light blue skirt
Footwear: White and pink Doc Martins
Hair: Large afro-style hair (this made me laugh...)

And then all the personal info that I'm not putting here for obvious reasons.

But even though this kind of thing has happened to me before, never a proper, formal search. I'm really, really, really angry. 1984...

I got handcuffed at Hyde park under terrorism powers for going for the stage.

It is up to all of us to fight this increasingly police state.

We need the police. They are a necessary evil but we need to keep them under control.

Now I wish we met at The carpenters. Next time.

 

[bikubesong]

at least, someone touched you!

 

[Jealous Of Youth]

I am going to rant now because I am really, really angry. I was just out in Angel (Islington, London) and I get off the bus, and I notice two police officers looking at me. This happens quite a bit, so I didn't really think about it. Then, roughly five minutes later I was walking past Borders/HMV and they approach me, and tell me they need to do a search. I ask them why, and they say it's under the terrorism act. I know people who have got arrested for not allowing themselves to be searched for this, so I decided to get it over and done with.

I hand one of them my bag, and the other one goes "We recognise you from Indymedia [it's an activist website] and Foxtons." [Anti-Foxtons demonstration I was at a few months ago outside the Angel branch, 15 of us, 40 police]. I didn't really know what to say, so I just nodded. Then they start doing all the questions and stuff, and they asked for my name. I told them they already have it. They said they didn't. I said that the police force have taken my name billions of times. I then got a lecture about how they're not a 'force' they're a 'service'. They keep asking me why I'm here, if we have any more demonstrations planned, what political groups I'm part of. I wouldn't answer this, but they keeped mentioning Class War and Antifa, which I am involved in. I didn't tell them I was but it's still scary when they know. I told them my date of birth and they wouldn't believe me, they kept saying I was lying.

I got a nice bit of paper with all the notes they made about me on it.

Reason for stop: Terrorism
Height: 5"6
Female
Identity Code eek: W1 White British
Headwear: None
Upper Body: White T-Shirt
Lower Body: Blue tights, light blue skirt
Footwear: White and pink Doc Martins
Hair: Large afro-style hair (this made me laugh...)

And then all the personal info that I'm not putting here for obvious reasons.

But even though this kind of thing has happened to me before, never a proper, formal search. I'm really, really, really angry. 1984...

Nice story, but, uhhhhhhhhh... what exactly do you hope to achieve by posting it here?

 

[Musley]

I lost all respect for the police in 1984!

 

[MunchyBrain]

Nice story, but, uhhhhhhhhh... what exactly do you hope to achieve by posting it here?

Nothing. I was just angry and felt like having a rant...

 

[Jealous Of Youth]

Nothing. I was just angry and felt like having a rant...

Do you know what would make you feel even better than a rant? Loading a bag up with explosives and blowing yourself up in a crowded place. That'll teach those nasty policemen for trying to protect the general public - who do they think they are...

 

[Not Right in the Head]

Do you know what would make you feel even better than a rant? Loading a bag up with explosives and blowing yourself up in a crowded place. That'll teach those nasty policemen for trying to protect the general public - who do they think they are...

Please go away.

p.s. I've also reported your post for rudeness and harrassment.

 

[Dave]

There are always two sides to every story.

Case in point - I have seen with my own eyes an "activist" (I use that word loosely for the Sharpton and the like admirers) take their finger and point it right in the chest of NYPD. Yes they are stupidly making contact. This guy was screaming and jamming his finger into the officer's chest. No, this was not a love tap. Then the guy was screaming about how the police had no right to touch him and screaming about how it was unlawful that they were about to arrest him.

Two sides to every story.

actually that's a completely different story.

 

[Dave]

You do that you get arrested / detained by the police as it falls under assault.

Me? I am a private citizen. You do that to me you may get your teeth knocked out and at the very least find yourself on the floor. I am not a big fan of being touched in that manner.

Furthermore it is amazing how people have a basic misunderstanding of what their rights actually are. Last Friday while waiting at Apple one guy was getting irate because the iTunes system for setting up the iPhones instore became overwhelmed and their were the reported delays. One guy started ranting and raving and when asked to shut up (by someone else, not me) he responded "what are they going to do kick me out.

Well actually yes. In a mall you are on private property. The mall (enclosed shopping centers containing various stores - I forget if they are called "malls" in the UK) can much more easily have you removed than the police can in a park for disorderly conduct or any type of behavior or appearance that you are allowed by the government.

Even then protest and activism in public must abide by certain guidelines to ensure that the protest does not cause civil unrest for those not involved.

You mean there was an almost-riot at the iPhone sheep shearing event? I'm glad those mall cops were able to keep that guy in line.

 

[Buzzetta]

actually that's a completely different story.

Not really - from this guys perspective the police were hassling him when all he did was repeatedly shove his finger in the officer's chest. From his perspective I am sure that he tells a version of the story where he was completely innocent.

The original poster says that the police were hassling him. He fails to mention if he said anything that could be construed as sarcastic, rude, inflammatory or anything of the like.

I see it all the time with the bag checks in NYC every morning. The guy that simply shows the bag when asked moves along with no problem. The guy who protests about his supposed rights is simply given a choice of show the bag or leave the subway system. The guy that decides to cause a scene of it calling the cops "pigs" or something of the like and screaming and yelling on the top of his lungs... well okay... you want to cause a scene- lets see how much you actually know when it pertains to your rights. Those are the ones that get detained.

It is the same as when you are pulled over. I have been pulled over before. Who hasn't? (Unless you do not drive of course.) If you are pulled over you are more likely to either not get a ticket or simply be cited for a missing insurance card or a seatbelt charge over speeding if you do NOT act like an asshole. If you decide to act like an asshole then they go over your car with a fine tooth comb as the saying goes.

I have no problem with activism or protesting or anything of that nature. That is your constitutional right when it falls within the guidelines set forth as to not create a public disturbance or public hazardous conditions- meaning that blowing up the Brooklyn Bridge in protest is a big no no and is never a good thing. However if you choose to break the law and choose to protest in an illegal manner then you should not whine when you are arrested.

The one thing that organized protesters do is they challenge a law through being arrested. The organizers will ask potential participants if they have ever been arrested before and then if they have any outstanding warrants. They then ask if they realize the maximum sentence is if they are arrested and if they are prepared to be arrested before sending them to preform the task. If that is for you then big ups and all for it. However do not whine about it.

I am rambling again because I am out the door in a few...

Case in point if you act like an asshole to anyone who has authority over you whether it be mom or dad, or government then you should expect the possibility that those agents will take more of an action in contrast to acting in a calm reasonable way.

What's the saying? More with honey than lemons or something like that?

 

[Buzzetta]

You mean there was an almost-riot at the iPhone sheep shearing event? I'm glad those mall cops were able to keep that guy in line.

A couple of people were acting like assholes after they found out the wait would be a bit longer than expected. Eventually they stfu.

There was one guy that WAS removed though that was not waiting on line. He was removed because he kept trying to hand out some political agenda or religious agenda t-shirts. The mall cops asked him to stop handing out shirts. He yelled at them they they could not tell him what to do and that this is a free country.

He was reminded that he was on private property. He then claimed that this was a free country and then tried to continue handing out shirts. He was then escorted out the back door of the service tunnel by what looked to be two out-of-work pro wrestlers.

He was wrong. He was not allowed to hand out t shirts after being asked to stop.

Anyway my week of indulgence continues. On to the Shea Stadium and Billy Joel. Rumor has it that Ringo Starr or Paull McCartney are making an appearance. However- if not, then supposedly there are other guests.

Have a good evening and keep the internet safe while I am away.

 

[Renia]

Not really - from this guys perspective the police were hassling him when all he did was repeatedly shove his finger in the officer's chest. From his perspective I am sure that he tells a version of the story where he was completely innocent.

The original poster says that the police were hassling him. He fails to mention if he said anything that could be construed as sarcastic, rude, inflammatory or anything of the like.

I see it all the time with the bag checks in NYC every morning. The guy that simply shows the bag when asked moves along with no problem. The guy who protests about his supposed rights is simply given a choice of show the bag or leave the subway system. The guy that decides to cause a scene of it calling the cops "pigs" or something of the like and screaming and yelling on the top of his lungs... well okay... you want to cause a scene- lets see how much you actually know when it pertains to your rights. Those are the ones that get detained.

It is the same as when you are pulled over. I have been pulled over before. Who hasn't? (Unless you do not drive of course.) If you are pulled over you are more likely to either not get a ticket or simply be cited for a missing insurance card or a seatbelt charge over speeding if you do NOT act like an asshole. If you decide to act like an asshole then they go over your car with a fine tooth comb as the saying goes.

I have no problem with activism or protesting or anything of that nature. That is your constitutional right when it falls within the guidelines set forth as to not create a public disturbance or public hazardous conditions- meaning that blowing up the Brooklyn Bridge in protest is a big no no and is never a good thing. However if you choose to break the law and choose to protest in an illegal manner then you should not whine when you are arrested.

The one thing that organized protesters do is they challenge a law through being arrested. The organizers will ask potential participants if they have ever been arrested before and then if they have any outstanding warrants. They then ask if they realize the maximum sentence is if they are arrested and if they are prepared to be arrested before sending them to preform the task. If that is for you then big ups and all for it. However do not whine about it.

I am rambling again because I am out the door in a few...

Case in point if you act like an asshole to anyone who has authority over you whether it be mom or dad, or government then you should expect the possibility that those agents will take more of an action in contrast to acting in a calm reasonable way.

What's the saying? More with honey than lemons or something like that?

As the saying goes, the truth is a three-edged sword. Yours, mine, and the truth.

In any event, it's all well and good to protest in my book, so long as it doesn't get physical/violent. Then it just makes the protesters look like the bad guys. As my grandfather used to say (and my dad says to me,) Swearing in the crutch of inarticulate motherf***ers. Just replace swearing with...violence I suppose. Resorting to brute force doesn't make you look like you know wtf you are talking about.

anyway, sucks you got searched Munchy. Cops are a necessary evil in my eyes, some of them are good and some of them are downright horrible. But at the end of the day, if I'm stuck in an alleyway here in the city, with some guy harrassing me, I'd appreciate the fact we have policemen.

Then again with how CPD is, I doubt any would come. Cause CPD sucks. at least, a good portion of them.

 

[Mr Smith]

Actually, Dave's right. It's not the same thing. Munchy got stop searched on the basis of perceived terrorist threat, due to being involved in past involvement in protest demonstration. I presume the gripe is that she feels our right to protest (peacefully) in a democratic society is being eroded under the visage of anti-terror.

 

[bobalmighty]

Ok, ok, I should have said he was moonlighting as an imam.

Moonlighting as David Bowie's wife?

 

[Dave]

He then claimed that this was a free country

Well the guy's obviously on something.

 

[Not Right in the Head]

Moonlighting as David Bowie's wife?

I knew someone would say that.

 

[dunya]

Munchy was hassled to intimidate and inconvenience because of political beliefs, and "anti-terror" law was used to do it.

The police already have strong powers which have undermined civil liberties. The balance of protection versus loss of freedom has gone out of balance.

Anti-terror laws are used in inappropriate situations, just like the old SUS laws were. Far from helping the police to do their job better, it encourages laziness when a proper reason to stop someone need not be given, when evidence is not required before arrest. It encourages poor officers to treat citizens badly, because they can, losing a great deal of sympathy for the hard job they do. It means police officers are used to harrass citizens acting within their rights, for political ends, instead of serving the community interests.

I doubt I'd agree with Munchy on many political beliefs, but I do think Munchy has the right to express them without this intimidation.

 

[chica]

Not to mention I've never heard there are any left wing terrorists in the UK Or elsewhere, after the 1970s.