- When? 3rd October 9.30am (before a case hearing which is expected to start at 10.30am) in Court 73
- Where? We’ve just found out that the case has been moved, to the Royal Courts of Justice, so we’ll be demonstrating outside in the Strand.
- What about? Showing public support for a woman’s fight for the truth and to outlaw the practice of undercover cops deceiving women into intimate relationships
- Who should come? Anyone who cares about our right to participate in campaigning without fear of abuse by the state
This Human Rights case around undercover relationships is of enormous public interest, and yet the police are trying to shut it down. We need you to be part of demonstrating the public interest in this case continuing.
Kate Wilson is one of the women whose stories of their abusive relationships with undercover police have shocked the nation. She is taking what might be a unique case against the Metropolitan Police concerning the abuse of her human rights when she was deceived into a long term intimate relationship with Mark Kennedy, an undercover officer. A summary of the case is here.
At this court hearing, the Police are trying to get the case closed down to avoid disclosing the full extent of the abuses, and to prevent the Tribunal from examining the legality of the operations, the role of sexism and political persecution in the decisions made, and exactly how many senior commanding officers, knew about it.
Relationships are one of the most profoundly disturbing tools of social control so far unearthed as part of the decades-long activity of undercover units. It is essential that the Police are forced to reveal the full truth of what happened, and be held account for it. This would enable people to participate in social and environmental justice campaigning without fear of further such abuse. The public need to be reassured that the legality of the operations is being examined so the legal framework around undercover policing can be corrected.
Public outrage at the treatment of women at the hands of the police has meant that they have not been able to sweep these cases under the carpet, and it is essential that we continue to show the public interest in these brave women holding the state to account.
Come to the demo to show your support! Come into the court hearing itself at 10.30am, and show the Judge the level of public interest. Please let us know if you are intending to sit in court, so we can ensure there is enough space – contact@policespiesoutoflives.org.uk.
If you can’t make it, then make noise on social media – talk about it to your friends, or write to your MP. We must keep up the public pressure and hold the state to account.
Kate and her legal team will be speaking after this hearing on Wednesday 3rd October – at this event in London EC1 from 6:30-9:00pm. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked.
