UCU: Congress motion on policing

Motion

Motion text: UCU Congress notes:
The heavy-handed policing at the Palestine national demonstration on 18
January, including the violent arrest of chief steward Chris Nineham and the
subsequent charges brought against both him and PSC director Ben Jamal.
UCU Congress believes:
That these actions are an affront to our democratic right to protest and an
attempt to criminalise solidarity with the Palestinian people at a time when they
are facing genocide and ethnic cleansing.
The Metropolitan Police’s actions are part of an authoritarian political attack on
peaceful protest. They have been empowered by laws passed over the last
decade that have been used to limit effective strike action and picketing.
UCU Congress resolves:
i. To support those unjustly arrested and demand the charges against Ben
Jamal and Chris Nineham are dropped.
ii. To demand an independent inquiry into policing on 18 January and the repeal
of the Public Order Act.