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Riot police raid squats at centre of anarchist meetings
Rashid Razaq02.04.09
POLICE today raided two squats being used by anarchists at the centre of violent G20 protests.
More than 240 riot officers swooped on the illegally-occupied buildings in armour-plated Jankel jeeps this afternoon.
More than 100 activists were held and four suspected ringleaders arrested in the raids on two warehouses, believed to be bases for yesterday's demonstrations. Foreign nationals are thought to be among those arrested.
Police forced their way into a three-storey building in Rampart Street on the City borders with battering rams. The squatters had hung a flag reading "resist eviction" on the brightly painted building, which they had reclaimed as "community creative social space".
Police also raided an abandoned building in Earl Street near Liverpool Street Station that was known to be hosting anarchist group meetings.
Chief superintendent Michael Johnson, leading the operation, said: "People have a right to lawful protests but we will take action against those intent on violence.
"These raids were based on intelligence that the people who caused the violence during yesterday's protests had been staying here and were returning."
The Rampart Street squat is believed to have been occupied for several months, housing up to 100 people for recent meetings.
The Earl Street site hosted a meeting on Tuesday night at which anarchists urged attacks on banks.
Reader views (9)
I'm glad the police raided the squats, like the majority of the public I disagree totally with alternative political ideologies and progressive social movements.I find hypothetical arguments regards the protests harboring violent terrorists and extremists completely plausible. I for one am willing to give up my civil liberties if it means we can get rid of all dissenting voices. Well done the police for using overwhelming force to quell those calling for action on the climate. It is reassuring to know that Tassers will be used to threaten anyone who happens to be staying in a squat regardless of the fact that squatting is legal. It is also reassuring to know that collective punishment will take place to secure the safety of the compliant majority.
Well done our boys and girls in blue, long may your truncheons rain down on those who would put people before profit. No more freedom of expression I say.
- John, West Yorks
I was relieved to see all those girls in the picture; plastic-handcuffed; girls today are a tough lot, and the police needed those helmets to stop the girls knutting them.
Yes this April has been funny; all these rebels are supposed to be on the dole and uneducated jobless louts; but if the truth was known; they are not working class in the main at all; but actually middle class educated future politicians; remember Tariq Ali and Peter Hain; they both started out just the same; rebels with or without a cause.
Nothing changes in reality; the elite will continue to be the elite; once you have forgotten all about this April in July.
- Mickyinlondon, london
Squats are necessary for people who want to travel to share there views, but cannot afford or find anywhere to stay
They are also needed by professionals such as myself, who are held in police corrals until after the last tube and have no way of getting back home.
Trespass isn't a criminal offence, it's a civil one, so not punishable, just evictable.
- Acab, london
Trouble is this is the perfect cover for Muslim terrorists to infiltrate and cause real problems. There is too much at stake to mess about with idiots like these.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Why are "squats" even tolerated ?
There are trespass laws aren't there ?
- Stan Ex-London, USA
I think we need soap and riot hoses.
- Martin, Teddington
Have we not had enough of all these so called' anarchists' - all they want to do is no work and sponge off the rest of society and commit violent acts.
Carry on and chuck them all out of their illegal squats.
- Simon, london
WOW! 240 Police Officers dressed to the nines in their finest riot gear, just to carry out two raids.
HOW UTTERLY OVER-THE-TOP.
How comes I have NOT seen a Police Officer at street level for the past 18 months?
Absolutely amazing what these 240 Police Officers are doing for the remainder of the year - one thing is definite, you WILL NOT see them patrolling the street where you live - oh! no!, Joe Public can go to hell - just so long as the world leaders are well protected.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster
It is fascinating that it usually the 'anarchists' who are the most ordered of the 'revolutionary' groups.
It is a pity their talents cannot be harnessed to assist society rather than trying to wreck it.
One thing is fairly certain though, when these 'warriors' tire of revolution they will probably join one of the multi-nationals they currently decry, and earn 'fat-cat' salaries.
- John Jones, Westminster
