Watch a collection of videos passed to the Guardian that appear to show police using excessive force against G20 protesters
[guardian.co.uk] In the fortnight since the G20 protests in London, the Guardian has received video footage from a number of people that appears to show police using excessive force or questionable tactics in dealing with demonstrators and the press.
The best-known video was sent by a New York fund manager early last week. It shows Ian Tomlinson, who was attempting to return home on the evening of the first day’s protests, on 1 April, being pushed to the ground by a police officer.
Here is a list of the footage received over this period, displayed in chronological order according to when the events took place. The Guardian is passing newly obtained footage to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, with the permission of those who shot the films.
Note: Most of the video footage contains violence, and one includes swearing.
1 April, 5.29pm, near Bank, City of London
Link to this video
Police seeking to clear demonstrators charge, with batons raised, at a group consisting mainly of press photographers and camera crews. After the charge one photographer, wearing an orange high-visibility jacket, can be seen on the ground.
1 April, 7.15pm, Royal Exchange Passage, near Bank of England
Link to this video
In footage shot by a worker trying to walk home, who was not involved in the protests, police can be seen tackling demonstrators. Near the end of the short sequence it appears that one officer pulls someone – possibly a woman – violently to the ground.
1 April, 7.16pm, Threadneedle Street, near Royal Exchange
Link to this video
As police try to move protesters away down the street, a police handler appears to allow his dog to bite the arm of a man wearing a pale hooded top who has just turned his back to the officers.
1 April, 7.20pm, Royal Exchange Passage
Link to this video
Ian Tomlinson is seen walking away from officers with his hands in his pockets. One of the police strikes him on the back of the leg with a baton before shoving him to the ground. Tomlinson is helped to his feet by bystanders. He collapsed soon afterwards and died.
1 April, 7.40pm, Bishopsgate, just south of Liverpool Street station
Link to this video
Lines of riot police can be seen advancing on people who had been taking part in the climate camp protests, in which demonstrators erected tents across a street in the City. The riot officers can be seen shoving people back with their shields as well as striking people with batons and, at times, the edges of their shields. Most protesters put their hands in the air to indicate non-resistance, and chant: "This is not a riot".
2 April, 3.46pm, junction of Royal Exchange Passage and Cornhill
Link to this video
A City of London police officer approaches a group of photographers and camera crews and orders them to leave the area for a period of about 30 minutes or face arrest. The instruction is made under section 14 of the Public Order Act, which is intended primarily to disperse potentially disruptive or violent gatherings. The Metropolitan police, which led the G20 operations, later apologised for using the measure on members of the press.
2 April, 4.39pm, Threadneedle Street, near the Bank of England
Link to this video
Police manhandle two demonstrators to the ground before letting the men get up and leave. During the second of these incidents, a policeman in a black uniform appears to aim a kick at the protester as he lies on the ground, sending him sprawling.
2 April, 4.42pm, Threadneedle Street, near the Bank of England
Link to this video
A pair of plainclothes police, identifiable only by the bright yellow caps they have donned, join uniformed officers in marshalling demonstrators. One of the plainclothes officers can be seen with a baton in his hand.
2 April, 2.30pm, by the Bank of England
Link to this video
At a vigil for Tomlinson, a police officer is seen apparently slapping a woman twice with the back of his hand. As she remonstrates with him further, he is shown seemingly striking her on the legs with his baton, causing her to fall. The Metropolitan police have suspended the sergeant involved, a member of the Territorial Support Group.
• This article was amended on Thursday 16 April 2009. The video footage of the G20 protests near Bank on the 1 April was recorded at 5.29pm, not 3.29pm, as previously stated. This has been corrected.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
