Jean Lambert, the Green Party MEP for London, has today spoken out in support of the peaceful protests taking place ahead of the G20 summit meetings.
Thousands of people gathered in London to express concerns about a wide range of issues, from climate change to the collapse of the economy, as well as growing inequality and wars in the Middle East.
Jean Lambert MEP, who joined the G20 Put People First march at the weekend, said:
"The vast majority of the people demonstrating today want to take part in peaceful protest to voice their concerns to the G20 leaders. I support their calls for action on climate change, as well as to eradicate poverty, tackle inequality and to end our involvement in conflicts in the Middle East.
"Unless urgent and large-scale action is taken immediately we will face a global catastrophe as a result of climate change. The protesters have today made clear that people are looking for clear progress from world leaders to avoid impending ecological and humanitarian disaster.
"With over two million people now unemployed in the UK, rising inequality and the banking system in meltdown, it is also no wonder that so many people feel betrayed and let down by the Government and the financial sector. The system has, for far too long, been unaccountable and irresponsible and now we are all paying a heavy price.
"I am, however, concerned by reports that I have received today of demonstrators being hemmed in by police for hours, without access to food, water or toilets. This type of heavy-handed policing led to high levels of stress and could have led to violent behaviour. 
"It is crucial that people are able to exercise their right to protest, unhindered by inappropriate policing, and that world leaders listen to the messages of discontent being aired today."
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Hello Graeme,
ReplyDeleteHave you seen or read any official or unofficial statement from the police about them criticized actions? I can't find any, which is quite strange after all the criticism.
Take care,
Jay
Hi Jay
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure that there was enough trouble in the end for there to have been that many actions by the police to have been critical about. In fact I'd say that as far as demonstrations go, it was a bit of a disappointment (not because of the lack of violence by the way but for the general lack of support and visibility achieved).
It would probably be worth having a look at the Metropolitan Police Website for the official line though (http://www.met.police.uk/events/event_g20.htm).
Cheers