VIDEO OF SPEECHES COMING SOON FROM KATYA
Check out the jealous comments of the clearly homophobic sexist pig below in the 'comments' (this is the sort of thing we usually get when campaigning against sexism)
Arriving slightly early I looked for a loo. Just as walking down Edgeware Rd I was sprung upon by 2 coppers. A really tall male one literally jumped in front of me and shouted in my face. I nearly jumped out of my skin.
They said they had reason to believe i was about to commit a crime and wanted to search me. Naturally, since i had nothing on me, i resisted. I know my rights but then when you're up against the law who knows what your rights really are? (We need someone to write a pamphlet and wallet sized card for us to carry round with us).
It says 'Subject was seen by a member of the public with ink which was believed to be used to cause criminal damage. Subject searched. Negative result.'
And a near on full body search ensued. When I had a go at them for making me jump I asked if this is a new tactic; to try to give people heart attacks like they did to Ian Tomlinson. The pig called me stupid! Me, stupid?!
Anyway, clearly they were worried about us storming the building, occupying the stage and causing a bit of embarassment for their pathetic little operation. They needn't have been. We were only there for a peaceful protest.
5 mins later and Ellie was also subjected to intrusive questioning.
Mind the Gap had even had the protest authorised with the police in advance. They tried to shove us into a pen about 50m away from the entrance to the hotel! We resisted again. We ended up doing speeches and chants right on the corner of Edgeware Rd and Praed St. They had clearly alerted all the attendees of the pagaent to either arrive early or come in through a different door because we hardly anyone arrive.
Many people stopped to talk and join in. Got some really good contacts from young angry women who were just passing by. 'Damn straight it's sexist' said one. Loads of men also stuck around. A lovely old woman in hijab chanted with us too. A car full of teenage girls with their mum hooted and waved.
I couldn't take the best pictures coz i was holdin megaphone but loads of others did. Will link to them once uploaded. Katya videoed speeches. The BBC and Evening Standard came and took both pictures and video's.
As per tradition we followed protest by a few pints to 'discuss and plan to ensure the next ones are even bigger and better'!
We found out whilst in the pub that Vestas factory has gone into occupation. We whipped up a couple of eloquent placards in solidarity.
18 comments:
i wonder why these idiots are protesting???
jealously me-thinks!!!
these loosers need to do something constructive with there own lives instead of interfering in other peoples.
FAT LESBIANS!!!!!!
Well done to the protesters, wish I coulda gone. Sorry to hear about the stop and search crap from the cops you had to put up with.
Oh, don'cha just lurve anonymous trolls and their 'insightful' comments.
Well done Clare, wicked protest! got a mention in both freebie London rags this evening. and when you google 'Miss England protest' your blog comes up first :)
pity the poor fools who can only think as deeply as 'you're jealous'.. I feel sad for them :(
xx
Anonymous from Manchester, fuck off with your vile, homophobic, offensive comments or i will report you to the police. I know who you are-Big Sister is watching you...
Miss England and the contestants over the years have supported so many worthy charities by raising money and awareness, charities have benefited so much from the ongoing hard work and sheer dedication that the the people involved all contribute towards! A substantial amount of money has been raised and as a result has helped keep fantastic organisations such as cancer research which has effected so many people and families, to continue with their amazing efforts to one day find a cure for the terrible disease!
Its not all about how you look, its far from it, and you are all very naive to think that, as i mentioned above, charities are an extremely important part of the competition, as to find a winner who is passionate in helping other shows true beauty and selflessness for the welfare of others!
Promoting your talent or interest such as singing, dancing, a sport, or cooking, etc again shows there is more then meets the eye! It identifies an imagine not based on looks but what your capabilities are as an individual and whatever they are to really embrace them.
for many years the Miss England organisation has encouraged contestants to be Eco Friendly, and to study how being eco can really help the world that we live in. We spent hours researching and made some brilliant outfits from recyclable materials such as records, crisp packets, newspapers, and plastic bags etc so not only was it educational and challenging to make something like this, it was also very inspirational to us and others to see exactly what can be achieved and was a lot of fun!
You may see it as a sexist act, their is no size, race, religion restrictions, so who is being hurt in all this, more good then bad has come from the contest, surely being apart of something which inspires people to make a difference to so many peoples lives, to show respect to others, to really believe in yourself in all of your qualities inside as well as out and in return you have the honor to represent your country to act on behalf of so many causes, to be a role model to the younger generation and to truly be apart of some wonderful experiences not only for yourself but the experience and satisfaction of what has been done for others and what you have accomplished from the title, if you were given an opportunity to represent all that stands for your country wouldn't you do the same.
So before you put your malicious comments forward, take a moment to think exactly what the whole picture is about and not focus on one bit, i heard as well as protesting there were people amongst you that were burning Barbie dolls and threating innocent people with ink, how i see it, that is far more offensive then any beauty pageant, and what are you achieving from your actions? I believe in freedom of speech and that everyone is entitled to their opinion, im blessed to live in a country which encourages this, but how you acted on the 20th July was extremely uncalled for and didn't do you any favors, you were trying to express your thoughts of what exactly beauty was about and if thats how you perceive it then there must be something extremely wrong with you.
Miss England and the contestants over the years have supported so many worthy charities by raising money and awareness, charities have benefited so much from the ongoing hard work and sheer dedication that the the people involved all contribute towards! A substantial amount of money has been raised and as a result has helped keep fantastic organisations such as cancer research which has effected so many people and families, to continue with their amazing efforts to one day find a cure for the terrible disease!
Its not all about how you look, its far from it, and you are all very naive to think that, as i mentioned above, charities are an extremely important part of the competition, as to find a winner who is passionate in helping other shows true beauty and selflessness for the welfare of others!
Promoting your talent or interest such as singing, dancing, a sport, or cooking, etc again shows there is more then meets the eye! It identifies an imagine not based on looks but what your capabilities are as an individual and whatever they are to really embrace them.
for many years the Miss England organisation has encouraged contestants to be Eco Friendly, and to study how being eco can really help the world that we live in. We spent hours researching and made some brilliant outfits from recyclable materials such as records, crisp packets, newspapers, and plastic bags etc so not only was it educational and challenging to make something like this, it was also very inspirational to us and others to see exactly what can be achieved and was a lot of fun!
You may see it as a sexist act, their is no size, race, religion restrictions, so who is being hurt in all this, more good then bad has come from the contest, surely being apart of something which inspires people to make a difference to so many peoples lives, to show respect to others, to really believe in yourself in all of your qualities inside as well as out and in return you have the honor to represent your country to act on behalf of so many causes, to be a role model to the younger generation and to truly be apart of some wonderful experiences not only for yourself but the experience and satisfaction of what has been done for others and what you have accomplished from the title, if you were given an opportunity to represent all that stands for your country wouldn't you do the same.
So before you put your malicious comments forward, take a moment to think exactly what the whole picture is about and not focus on one bit, i heard as well as protesting there were people amongst you that were burning Barbie dolls and threating innocent people with ink, how i see it, that is far more offensive then any beauty pageant, and what are you achieving from your actions? I believe in freedom of speech and that everyone is entitled to their opinion, im blessed to live in a country which encourages this, but how you acted on the 20th July was extremely uncalled for and didn't do you any favors, you were trying to express your thoughts of what exactly beauty was about and if thats how you perceive it then there must be something extremely wrong with you.
kerry price
Miss Shropshire 2009
The above comment reminds of the people that say the army is not all about killing and oppressing people thousands of miles away on behalf of a rich elite - you get to learn lots of valuable skills in the army too you know.
Why not skip the competition altogether Kerry and go straight to the charity work and helping people then? At least be honest enough to admit the point of these competitions if you're going to stick up for them.
it makes me laugh that people on here will jump on others rudeness and comments but are fine with calling police officers pigs, hypocritical i think! Some also seem upset that they didnt get to see the contestants..why? surely the protest was aimed at generating awareness of your views to the wider public, its up to the contestants what they do with their lives..
As for putting up with the crap from the cops as one uneducated person wrote, they have a job to do and in London security and safety of others is paramount,if you dont like it, protest at home, or from the isle of Skye..
Slightly exaggerated comments above with colourful pictures, do you work for the Sun newspaper? They too have the reading age of an 11 year old so im informed.....I see nothing wrong with what has happened and although comments above are sad and homophobic which i dont condone at all, the point made about finding something better to do with your life i have to agree with. But please let me know what is so wrong with this contest, i would be interested really joking aside...
Oh..and further..when you say "i had nothing on me so I naturally resisted. I know my rights...ermmm, Im sorry but you clearly dont. When your stopped and searched, the Police can use force as is reasonable to complete the search just so you know. Full on body search?? Was that really true? or did they as I suspect check your pockets, clothes and a pat down? Did they really start putting their hands inside your underwear? i doubt it.
And using someone who died as a platform for a joke.....sick. The man in question had other complications i think you're find but then an intelligent person would have realised that.
As with the pocket size guides for your group to have to help them on their world changing missions, I can help with that if you like...
To start with, some key dates for you to protest at, equally as pointless.
1. The annual convention of Elvis impersonators on Aug 25th at the o2.
2. Rear of the year, Aug 29th at the NEC, you should go for that one yourself!
3. Muppets annual general meeting on Sep 1st at the Hilton, London, Miss Piggy will be making a guest apperance.
4. Christmas.....
Thank you so much for posting about this protest.
We live in a world that seems entirely absorbed in reducing women to body parts. A world that reduces women to simplistic notions of beauty. A world that viciously reacts when women complain. A world that truly believes that "ugly" is enough to render an woman worthless.
Most women and men I know are clear sighted enough to know that this is not a world we want to bring our daughters up in.
Things will change. Keep up the good work.
Dom G has also edited the law a little above.
In determining whether force is reasonable, courts will take into account circumstances such as the degree of force, its nature, the gravity of the offence, the harm that would flow from use of force on the suspect and the possibility of effecting arrest/preventing harm by other means. (Simpson v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police)
It is NOT an excuse for a police officer to claim that they did not know of any suspects underlying medical conditions, (hence Tomlinson).
Whilst a police officer may use reasonable force he must first have a reasonable belief that you are likely to be involved in serious violence or are carrying an offensive weapon.
Authorisation for searches MUST be given by a police officer of or above rank of inspector.
Authorisation must be in writing and signed by the officer giving it. Grounds and locality must be specified.
You also have the right to apply for a written statement that you were searched.
Community support officers do not have powers of stop and search under PACE.
(Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.1; D1.3,D1.4, D1.5 Blackstones Criminal Practice).
whizz....nice to have a post from someone who has actually done some homework, however regarding the male in your post i was not referring the action against him was reasonable, i was not even basing any arguement on him. I stated i found it sick someone should bring him into the forum as a platform for a joke. My comment about reasonable force was directed at powers under section 1 of pace, stolen items, going equipped to steal,items used for criminal damage. offensive weapons, drugs if under section 23 of the drugs act etc etc.....the main stop and search powers Police have. They do not need an inspectors authority to search, they do not need belief, just suspicion. A written statement? you are entitled to a copy of the search at the time,or request it within 12 months.
You are referring to section 60 which does need a higher level of authority your right, but thats not what happened here. She says, and even reprints what the officer wrote. "Ink used to commit damage" or something like that. Therefore suspicion only, no Inspectors authority, and reasonable force could have been used to complete the search, i.e. handcuffs, restraining, taking to nearby station, none of that happened did it? I dont know.
So have I edited the law? I think simply we are talking about two seperate powers.
and can someone please tell me whats so wrong with this competition? what harm do they do really?
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