The protestors that day suffered ‘kettling’ (mass detention), charges by police horses and baton attacks. Alfie required emergency brain surgery after being struck by a police baton.
Like many others, Zak and Alfie were arrested and charged with serious public order offences. Some cases have resulted in prison sentences, including one of 12 months for a student for merely waving a placard stick. However, where students pleaded not guilty and described police brutality on the day, many cases have fallen apart.
Now, Alfie and Zak face a third trial on 11 February, probably at Woolwich Crown Court (where the previous trial was held), on charges of ‘violent disorder’ (maximum sentence: five years).
Their first trial, in March 2012, resulted in a hung jury and their second in October was aborted due to repeated delays. A demonstration is to be held outside the court on the first day of this new trial.
Topics: Trials & legal cases, Repression