Have you seen the video of the man attacked by the police who were at the G20 demonstrations?

Empress

Yes its awful. We all know the police are brutal and aggressive but to have evidence like this is compelling.
If the situation was reversed, the man had hit a policeman who later died, he would now be in prison awaiting his sentence.
I hope the enquiry sheds some real light and there are consequences to their actions and they don't just wriggle out of it like The Lawrence Enquiry.

Peter C

Yes It is quite clear that the victim was violently assaulted by the police officer, even worse it was from behind and obviously done without any warning whatsoever.

It is sad but true that a substantial minority of the UK police have always been little more than uniformed thugs, as this man clearly is. In the past when police really were only involved with real criminals this was ignored as the general feeling was, 'they get what they deserve'.

All the governments since the 1950's have made more and more things illegal and subject to criminal law so that it is now almost impossible for anyone to spend 24 hrs in the UK without breaking the law, usually quite unintentionally and probably not even realising that they have done so. Thus more people, who believe themselves to be fine upstanding members of the public, are finding themselves suddenly confronted with a rude and aggressive police officer who, since we are now all criminalised, view us as though we were something disgusting on their shoe and treats us like it. Years ago police officers were polite, self-effacing and respectful when dealing with the public, unless they knew they were dealing with someone known to be a criminal. And remember, in those days the local copper knew exactly who warranted watching on their patch.

Of the ten or so police officers I have had personal contact with over the last five or so years, I have been irritated by five, successfully complained about the unacceptable, thuggish behaviour of two and found three that were scrupulously polite and respectful. I think that speaks for itself.

This officer, if ever actually identified, should be prosecuted and immediately dismissed from the police, not removing the rotten apples only leads to greater spoilage.

I was once advised by a serving police officer for whom I had the greatest respect to always complain if there was cause as, even if no action is overtly taken, any officer with several complaints against them will at the least be better supervised in future, at least within the better police forces. I would recommend everyone else to do the same.

Eadaoin n

The police have got to understand they are there to enforce the law but they aren't the law! Its the Same in Ireland they a bunch of Brainwashed scary people who think they are all powerful. This is the totally wrong mentality for police to have they are there to help no Attack some poor man for no reason but walking! I hope these police men will have to pay for there vicious conduct!

life_1s_an_adventure

Police have been brutalizing people for centuries and longer. They get a mob mentality of their own - innocence does not matter. In contrast, as individuals, many of the same police would not appear to support such abusive behavior by the police.

Our police in the US do the same thing. I believe part of the problem really starts with the politicians who are OK with violating Constitutional rights to assembly, so the police mob mentality sets in, also disregarding additional Constitutional rights.

Additionally, the super-rich elites (non-political, just self-interested) will encourage the media to amplify coverage of those protesters who misbehave. Anything to stir up fear of protest by the masses- it's brilliant, using the masses fear of itself to suppress their own protesters.

As for the G20 protests, misbehavior by the G20 protesters was statistically EXTREMELY low but dull-witted people don't catch that - they buy into the media manipulation. The vast majority of the crowds were well-behaved. Still, the powers-that-be tried to quell protest. Can you imagine if the first colonial protesters were told by an equivalent of Mayor Bloomberg that it was illegal to assemble in a town square? (Bloomberg did - said they had to protest in caged-off areas out of sight, just as Giuliani/Hitler had said.) The colonials didn't buy that, and we are only here BECAUSE they illegally assembled to protest and then fight for our rights to assemble and protest. Chew on that, Sub-Pars Man. Now our own taxpayer-funded police keep us from our right to assembly in common areas that the colonials would have never tolerated as being off-limits.

As for thinking an innocent victim is at fault because they shouldn't have been there - wow. Imagine if your own mother was never raped because she 'deserved it' for carelessly being in the wrong place. People expressing anger at the victim are careless with their comments. So what if YOU would not have walked through there. You know, in La Paz, Bolivia, I got stuck in a protest that brought down the government. I didn't want to be there - I just was in the wrong place and the parade found me from two sides. Does that mean it would have been okay for me to die since you wouldn't have been there? The day you get beaten for exercising your right to walk down a street, then you'll understand the awful violation of civil rights that this was. A man died - get it? He DIED after he walked where it was his right, and an officer attacked him. An officer of the "peace". ** NO property or political platform is so valuable that we should attack innocents, on the ill-founded presumption that it is better to indulge fear of protesters than tolerate dissent.**

Trapper T

Terrible stuff. Ugly people. It's a shame when there are bad apples in the bunch.

There are usually going to be two sides to a story, and obviously differing opinions. I understand what Tony is saying, and, judging by his words alone, it's clear he doesn't think the man deserved it. He didn't take any sides, from what I can read. The policeman made the wrong choice, obviously. He certainly didn't count on the man dying afterwards, because the hit that he made isn't considered a lethal blow. But that's what happened, so now he'll have to face the consequences, just like Tony said.

Ugly situation.

Jimmy J

*Cue anti-police moaners raring their heads...*

I don't think we've heard or seen the full story from either side, so to make rash judgements at this stage isn't a great idea, and tbh I think you're letting your naivety or disliking of the police get in the way.

It could be the fact you come across as rather socialist in your complaints as well, so you're probably missing a brain, justifying vandilism as well...I suppose robbery's ok because somewhere someone got stabbed...

*cue thumbs down from the internet hippies*

Hereward the Wake

The heart attack may or may not have been caused by the attack, but i dispute that they attacked other protesters rushing to his aid, they may have shouted at them but the police just stood and watched, did nothing until it was too late to save the poor man, the police have alot of questions to answer, again their actions were unprovoked and unnecessary, the man did nothing wrong except walk slow, not illegal if you watch the vid u can see he was walking slow before he was in front of the police imo he was trying to avoid the group of protester in front of him but the police wanted to herd him in with them, which is totally wrong of them, there were hundreds of cases of innocent people getting trapped in the protest because of the police, the handling of the whole protest left alot too desire and this case highlights the need for action to be taken to curb the polices rough justice another point , when the police did administer medi attention they were surrounded by a jeering crowd and one bottle was thrown at least, but it wasnt quite how the police described the situation. RIP Ian

Pars Man he was an innocent newspaper vendor on his way home to watch the england match how can u have no sympathy, he wasnt protesting or causing trouble.

blue_eyesandy10

police are just pigs

Tony_USA

I'm a person who believes you shouldn't push or aggravate any situation, unless it's for the better.

The victim and the policeman who knocked him down were both guilty. The victim was OBVIOUSLY trying to entice the police into confronting him, or doing something stupid. One of them took the bait and attacked him - very bad decision. He should be possibly relieved of his job, for he had no good excuse for his actions.

Again, the victim was not blameless. I strongly believe that we sow what we reap. He was intentionally walking slow, and for no good reason at all. That's very obvious from watching the video. Did he deserve to get tackled and abused? No, definitely not. But still, in such a situation, with a furious mob, a very alert police force, and very high tensions, the last thing you want to do is add fuel to the fire. He did the opposite, and paid the ultimate price.

MAYBE he was merely walking home. Any sensible person wouldn't have walked through that sort of ugly scene unless he had other intentions in mind. I would have chosen a different route, ESPECIALLY in this day and age.

I feel sorry for him and his family. But I would NOT have walked through there.

EDIT: Hey LIFE.
I KNEW someone would clearly misinterpret my comments. It was just a matter of time. Where did you read in my post that I said he deserved it? I clearly said "definitely not". But no, you defied your own words and spoke carelessly.

Where did I/we express anger? No where. Why would I even express anger? I don't know him, nor am I affiliated with him or anyone there.

"beaten for exercising" rights to walk down a street? That's an erroneous statement.

Where did I say he was at fault? Obviously, no where.
And (lastly) where do you think I don't get that a man died? I clearly state it. Did you not see it? I'm starting to think that you have some of your own strong emotions keeping you from reading my whole post. Either that, or you're assuming an awful lot.

If anyone spoke carelessly, it's not me. Look at your own words.

EDIT: Funnel, where did I say that walking down the street was a crime? No where. And my stand is that he shouldn't have been attacked. Did you not read that in my post?

You're making the same misinterpretation mistakes that the Life guy is making. I honestly don't know how else I can explain it so that you'll understand, or that you won't make erroneous assumptions.

Moreso, there is no need to explain it to ALL of you (as you took the pains to so plainly state) for not everyone in here has disagreed with me. I do know for sure, though, we can debate this for hours on end, and still have different opinions. I stand by my words.

ERIC S

Having read two replies I thought I must throw in my bit. We have a mob behaving like animals, smashing windows throwing bottles and anything else that can get. Just bent on trouble not a peaceful demonstration. Have you heard of 'Rent a mob' these people will turn out anywhere to cause trouble. On the other side we have our Police trying to protect property it well could be yours, perhaps a young frightened copper been on the job two weeks scared to death reacting to avoid a bottle. Come to think of it, I wondered why an innocent newspaper seller allowed himself to get caught up in this.

Pars Man

Sorry,no sympathy.If you get involved in causing trouble,trouble comes to you!

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