Revealed: secret police memo labels #occupy as ‘terrorists’

by Sunny Hundal    
December 5, 2011 at 8:35 am

A secret memo issued by the City of London police has labelled #occupyLSX protesters as ‘domestic terrorists’ alongside Al-Qaeda and Columbia’s FARC.

The memo was handed to members of #occupyLSX over the weekend by a local businessman and confirmed as genuine today.

The memo (below) starts off by describing international threats from al-Qaeda, FARC in Columbia and terrorists in Belarus.

It then lists activists from the #occupy movement as a ‘Domestic’ threat and states:

All are asked to be vigilant regarding suspected reconnaissance, particularly around empty buildings. Any sign of access or new markings should also be reported.
…
All are reminded that any encounters with suspected activists could be recorded and then uploaded or live-streamed to the internet.

It then adds in bold: ‘Suspected hostile reconnaissance should be reported to the City of London Police immediately‘.

OccupyLSX released a statement last night stating:

The document exhibits other signs of worrying paranoia. The reference to “suspected activists” seems to demonstrate a disturbing loss of perspective. Activism is not a crime and the desire to participate in democratic decision-making should not be a cause for concern for the police in any free society.

An institution that confuses active ciitizens with criminals and equates Al Qaeda with efforts to reimagine the city is an institution in grave danger of losing its way.

The relevant segment from the memo

Update Taxi driver ‘Chunky Mark’ has made this amusing and expletive-filled video in response

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Related Links:
* Catholic group backs Occupy London Stock Exchange
The Universe Catholic Weekly
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