I don't know if this was mentioned under the "it's kicking off" thread over in the village pump as I've not had access to the internet for over 24 hours, lost track of the thread and haven't got time unfortunately to read through all the posts but anyway... the westminster bridge kettle. At least two of our phd students were kettled on the bridge; I spoke to one yesterday and she told me how horrendous it was.
Basically she said that they were all pinned in - the protesters were sandwiched between riot police to the north and south. It was described like being in a busy lift. They were held for around 2 hours and terrified about falling into the Thames - the walls of Westminster Bridge really aren't v high. She said if anything had kicked off people would most likely been knocked into the river. This was the last 1000 or so of the students on the protest; the "mob" element had already got out and were of course elsewhere at that point. There was no point to this whatsover other than getting their own back on the students. Oh, and the obligatory mugshots - the students were let out one by one; the girl I spoke to had her scarf ripped off so they could take the photo. She asked them whatever happend to innocent until proven guilty to which the officer responded "we can't trust any of you lot".
I mean what sick mind dreamt up that kettle? It could've been dangerous and is practically torture by the sounds of it! Bastards!
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