Environmental protesters are right now gathered at seven locations acround London in preperation for the "swoop" at midday when they will descend on a secret location to set up the Climate Camp (the rumour on Twitter is it's going to be somewhere near the Olympics, but no one knows yet). It was raining this morning but the weather seems to have improved a bit now and we may yet see some sunshine. The police have been making last minute pleas for organisers to reveal the location, which they have refused to do having already pointed out in an open letter that the best thing the police could do for public safety is to "stay well away" from the camp.
It'll be interesting to see whether the police really do know the location from their "intelligence" and are just bluffing. They sent officers with note-pads along to the pre-swoop meeting in Russell Square last night as well as some rather shy FIT officers who apparently hid in bushes only to be embarassed by a heroic member of the public who confronted them for taking pictures of people without their consent.
Despite all the spin from the Met about a new "community-style" of policing kettling, which drew so much criticism for its use at the G20, has not been ruled out and the Forward Intelligence Teams will still be there to intimidate and harass people. According to the eco-Guardian FIT will be taking a picture of everyone inside the camp; "because", says Chief Superintendent Helen Ball, "it is important for us to know if there are people coming who want to cause violence and disorder."
The fact Climate Camp is and always has been about peaceful protest with the only "violence and disorder" coming from the men in blue is of no relevance of course given the fact all peaceful environmental protesters are potential "domestic extremists" liable to find themselves on the database of the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit.
Anyone going to the Camp and concerned about FIT intrusion may like to print out one of these cards and play a spot of FIT bingo with the excellent FITWatch. Whoever gets the most photos of the FIT wins a prize. You play at your own risk though. As this video shows, FIT aren't too keen on the taste of their own medicine and you're liable to be attacked, arbitrarily arrested and detained.
