The number
of arrests during the Carnival was reported as 90-120. Of these around 61
were actually charged, the others released after being held overnight. Of
the 61 approximately 23 were then remanded in custody, the 16 men to Saughton
prison (Edinburgh) and the seven women to Corton Vale, by Stirling. Over
a third of those charged were from the Edinburgh area, illustrating the
significant local involvement in the Carnival.
During the entire week
of action against the G8 over 700 people were detained or arrested by the
police, and around 354 people have been arrested and charged. Almost two
hundred are due to have trials in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and
Falkirk. Current charges include breach of the peace, assault and some of
"mobbing".
Prisoner
solidarity activity was quickly underway with a presence at the court –
despite the public being banned and trials held in secret – and letters
and support sent in to prisoners. Around 60-100 people demonstrated at Saughton
prison on 7th July in solidarity with all G8 prisoners.
Two people are still
in prison on remand as of 1 August —
one in Saughton and one in Barlinnie (Glasgow) . Both
prisoners would appreciate letters, postcards and information. If you want
to write to them, please contact the July 2005 Solidarity Group – see
details below.
July 2005 Solidarity
Group
The July 2005 Solidarity
Group was set up to support everyone who was arrested in connection with
demonstrations against the G8. The group supports all those arrested during
the anti-G8 protests in July 2005, whatever the reason the police have given
for their arrest. It hopes to act as a contact point for defendants to meet
and work out strategies together; to find witnesses and to provide practical
support for people with court cases.
There are several ways
people facing trial can be supported:
— If you
live in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Perth or Falkirk please get in touch
if you are able to provide accommodation for people facing court, their
friends or family.
— Cash is needed to help with fares for defendants, friends and family
members who don't live in Scotland.
— Come to court to support people while their cases are being heard.
— Sending postcards and writing to people in custody .
— Arranging for delivery of books and small amounts of money to prisoners
in custody
— Welcoming prisoners on release and providing local accommodation
if needed.
Please get in touch
if you were arrested at the G8 and are due in court and want us to help
in any way. The solidarity group will try to be in court for everyone coming
to trial – please let us know if you are in court so we can be there
to support you.
There is a lot to do
– such as contacting all the defendants and arranging for people to
be in court for intermediate diets and trials. These have already started
and more are due in August - so would be good if folk could make it, sorry
for short notice if you only just heard!
We are holding regular
meetings in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can get in touch with the solidarity
group at:
July 2005 Solidarity
Group
c/o 17 West Montgomery Place Edinburgh EH7 5HA
or
leave a message on 0131 557 6242.
To keep in contact please
join the email lists below that has been set up to organise solidarity with
G8 defendants. One list is especially, but not exclusively, for organising
activity in Scotland around prisoner and defendant support in the upcoming
trials. To join, go to:
There is also a Britain-wide
list created for the legal observers at the G8 and is continuing after the
G8 for supporting defendants, focusing especially on legal work Ð getting
witnesses, drawing up a comprehensive list of all defendants, etc.. To subscribe
go to:
Volunteers from the
G8 Legal Support Group were present at all the G8 protests, observing, gathering
evidence and witnesses, ensuring that all arrested were known about and
supported. From the bust cards with legal info and lawyers numbers to actually
being there when the police were attempting dodgy searches or arrests, the
legal observers provided a vital on-the-spot presence.
The Legal Support Group
gives unconditional support to anyone arrested in relation to protests or
actions against the G8. They are helping co-ordinate witnesses and evidence
that may be helpful to peoples' defences, and will be reporting and advertising
court appearances to maximise court support. The G8 Legal Support Group
urgently needs to hear from witnesses to arrests — contact details
below.
Donations
can be made to the Legal Defense and Monitoring Group in London, since we
don't yet have our own account. You can also drop donations for g8legalsupport
in the LDMG account – they are very experienced and former prisoners
speak highly of them.
http://www./g8legalsupport.info/donate-please/
Bank Details: LDMG Bank Account no 433921080
Sort code 720000 Alliance & Leicester
Cheques sent to:
LDMG BM Haven London WC1N 3XX
