NUJ demand explanation over Bolton anti-EDL protest arrest

Article published: Wednesday, April 28th 2010

The NUJ are demanding an explanation for the arrest and detention of trade unionist and human rights activist Rhetta Moran by police during last month’s Bolton protest against the EDL.

At the time of her arrest Dr Moran, the joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism, was reading aloud a message of support for the protest by Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress.

During her speech, riot police pushed through the crowd, seized Moran and led her away without explanation. She was then detained in Bolton Police Station for 10 hours, her press card was confiscated and her home searched without a warrant. Police seized papers and computer files. NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear, condemned the decision to confiscate Dr Moran’s press card as “a threat to press freedom that we cannot ignore”. Dr Moran was later released without charge but received bail conditions stating she could not attend UAF or EDL gatherings until 10 May.

As previously reported by MULE, bystanders at the Bolton demo accused the force of being “unnecessarily violent”. Critics compared their tactics to those used at the G20 protests in London last year.

Speaking to MULE, Moran expressed her appreciation for the solidarity shown by her Trade Union, saying: “Fundamentally, the questions that the NUJ is raising in response to my treatment in Bolton expose police behaviour and necessitate close examination of how their attitudes and actions can erode and attack basic civil liberties and human rights.

“In the meantime, the election beckons and everyone who can needs to work to stop the Nazi BNP from gaining any further electoral base on May 6,” she added.

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