Police on the warpath
Five Oxford students were arrested in a demonstration at RAF Fairford at the end of the Hilary term, one of many protests with which Oxford Students Stop the War (OSSTW) were involved during recent weeks.
On March 9, 50 Oxford students protested at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, a key base for allied bombing operations in this and recent military conflicts. Seven students broke into the base and staged disruptions such as lying down on the runway, a tactic which, according to Squadron Leader Ivor Morris, suspended "all air traffic movements". The Oxford students were arrested for aggravated trespass and have pleaded not guilty, claiming obligations under international law. Matt Sellwood, one of those arrested, told the OxsStu that they "will continue to contest the issue in the courts".
When the war commenced just over a week later, Oxford students played a major role in local protests, blocking access, at various times throughout the day, to Magdalen Bridge, the City Centre, St. Clements Road, and the road beneath Botley Bridge, in a symbolic attempt to disrupt 'business as usual' as war was beginning. OSSTW reported that their demonstrations met with strong-armed police tactics, that "pressure points and arm locks were used, and that, on several occasions, the police threw punches and kicks at non-violent protestors".
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said that he could not comment on the specific incident because he was not there, but found it "incredibly difficult to believe" the accusations of violence and commented to the OxStu that pressure is only applied when police instructions to move have been refused. According to OSSTW, city councillors from the Labour, Green, and Lib Dem parties are currently pursuing complaints against the police.
Oxford students also took to the streets of London to march in the national anti-war demonstrations held in London on March 22 and April 12.
24th Apr 2003