I went to the memorial service for Ian Tomlinson this morning, which was a very simple affair on the patch of pavement near Threadneedle Street where he died a year ago today.
Tomlinson was hit from behind by a police officer during the G20 protests. (He was not actually a protester. He had been selling newspapers nearby; he was trying to walk home but the police had blocked his way as they were 'kettling' people, ie blocking off the ends of certain streets.) There is footage of what happened here and here. It is upsetting to watch, and it feels slightly intrusive, but I think it's important to see what happened.
The police initially said that Tomlinson had died from natural causes, and that the protesters had "pelted" them with bottles while they were trying to help Tomlinson. Both these statements were shown to be false. The police had lied.
There were about 100 people at the one minute's silence this morning. A lot of photographers were there too; I hope that the family were aware of all the people standing in silent support and protest, and not just aware of the cameras pointed at them.
We pay the police to protect us. I don't think this was an example of one violent policeman among a force of good and decent police. I think it's an indication of something more disturbing: the police - and specifically the TSG, which is the branch of police brought in to 'control' public protest - now see us as the enemy. We are the people they are supposed to serve, but they're bullying us. And if they keep getting away with it, they'll keep doing it.
It's a year since Ian Tomlinson died; the officer who attacked him needs to be charged with manslaughter. Can you imagine what would happen if there was a video of you or me beating someone to the ground, someone who died - with head injuries - shortly afterwards? We'd be in jail by now. Why is it different when it's a policeman? Slow motion justice is the same as injustice, and is the same as a cover-up. It stinks.
The loss of a loved one is hideous enough without having lawyers and the media and politicians and shifty police to add to your pain. I hope the family are able to keep as strong and as dignified as they've been so far, and that they get to find out what truth and justice actually feel like.
Yes, it is shocking however this story is becoming all to familiar. The police and their 'sources' should not be able to put out blatant lies and information shortly after an incident and be able to get away with it. Look at Jean Charles Menezes and The Forest Gate brothers, it happens locally very often too but fails to make the news. An they wonder why so many people don't trust the police and authority all together, it's the hypocrisy of it all and also, sadly, the fact that someone has been murdered. Ian Tomlinson.
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