Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/644/10521
From The Socialist newspaper, 27 October 2010
Bolton: Police brutality exposed
ON 20 October Alan Clough, a retired corporation gardener from Bury and Unison member, was due in Bolton Magistrates' Court charged with assaulting a police officer during the rally against the far right English Defence League in Bolton in March.
What the police didn't know when they charged him was that the local ITV team covering the event had video evidence which clearly showed Alan merely linking arms with other demonstrators and not hitting anyone. Instead he was hit with a baton, and being punched while on the ground by another officer.
People helping Alan to his feet are also seen being attacked by police. After seven hours in a cell, Alan's injuries at police hands required medical attention.
On seeing the video the police decided to drop all charges the day before the hearing. Police brutality will not now come to light.
Alan now faces a struggle to recover a four figure sum for legal fees as he was not entitled to legal aid. Frustrated but undeterred, Alan attended a Bolton Trades Council rally against cuts that same day, on the exact spot where he was wrongfully arrested seven months earlier.
Paul Gerrard, Bury NUT
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In The Socialist 27 October 2010:
Anti-cuts campaign
20,000 march in Edinburgh against cuts
Wales says: don't break the poor
Northern Ireland: build a new party
Police attack Bristol demonstration
Wave of protests against Con-Dem cuts
Socialist Students
Organise to stop education cuts!
Youth Fight for Jobs and Socialist Students day of action
Youth Fight for Jobs conference - 4 December
Step forward for TUC youth unemployment demo
Socialism 2010
Socialism 2010: Weekend of discussion and debate 6-7 November
Socialist Party feature
Mass action urgent against programme for poverty
Socialist Party news and analysis
Housing cuts will mean more evictions and social cleansing
Axeman Osborne slashes disabled people's benefits
Government bludgeons workers' pensions
Bolton: Police brutality exposed
Socialist Party workplace news
Victory to London firefighters!
BA bosses try to control union
Unite general secretary election: Right wing candidate on another planet
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