[R-G] Brit MP saw undercover cops egging crowd to riot at G20

[Anthony Fenton]

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/09/brit-mp-saw-undercov.html

Brit MP saw undercover cops egging crowd to riot at G20
Posted by Cory Doctorow, May 9, 2009 6:37 PM | permalink
A British Member of Parliament claims he saw two undercover cops  
acting as agents provocateurs at the G20 demonstrations, attempting to  
get the crowd to riot. It was during one of the "kettling" sessions  
(this is a tactic used by UK cops wherein all protesters and  
bystanders are crammed into a physical space that is cordoned off  
indefinitely, and though the protesters are not charged with any  
offense, they are not allowed to leave, seek medical care, use  
toilets, etc). The men apparently threw missiles at the cops and tried  
to get others to do the same, then, after being accused of being  
provocateurs, flashed credentials at the police and passed through  
their lines.

     "When I was in the middle of the crowd, two people came over to  
me and said, 'There are people over there who we believe are policemen  
and who have been encouraging the crowd to throw things at the  
police,'" Brake said. But when the crowd became suspicious of the men  
and accused them of being police officers, the pair approached the  
police line and passed through after showing some form of  
identification.

     Brake has produced a draft report of his experiences for the  
human rights committee, having received written statements from people  
in the crowd. These include Tony Amos, a photographer who was standing  
with protesters in the Royal Exchange between 5pm and 6pm. "He [one of  
the alleged officers] was egging protesters on. It was very  
noticeable," Amos said. "Then suddenly a protester seemed to identify  
him as a policeman and turned on him. He legged it towards the police  
line, flashed some ID and they just let him through, no questions  
asked."

G20 police 'used undercover men to incite crowds'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/10/g20-policing-agent-provacateurs