Neil Brown
As one can now be arrested for the offence of "being equipped for locking on", the only difference between arresting protestors today, and arresting me every time I go out on my bike, carrying two locks, is whether the police officers around at the time have formed a negative view about my intent.
May 6, 2023 at 12:10pmWeb
Show threadRavensrod 🫖 🍰May 6, 2023
@neil
Or don't like the shirt you're wearing,
Show threadRupert ReynoldsMay 6, 2023
@ravensrod @neil The offence is "Wearing a loud shirt in a built-up area during the hours of darkness" IIRC :-)
Show threadHollieKMay 6, 2023
@RupertReynolds @ravensrod @neil "And walking around with an offensive wife." NTNOCN
Show threadThe SecretbatcaveMay 6, 2023
@neil does that apply to the police as well? Hand cuffs look a lot like “being equipped for locking on”
Show threadPierricMay 6, 2023
@neil well done UK! I thought France was so far ahead in the authoritarian race, but we've got some nice competition there.
Recently it was made illegal in a region of France to be out on the street with devices susceptible to be used for noise, like pots and pans for example (because people do protest by banging on them)
Show threadBritish Tech GuruMay 6, 2023
@PierricD @neil phones, voices, hobnail boots - they all make noise
Show threadPierricMay 6, 2023
@britishtechguru @neil exactly! So basically anyone can be arbitrarily detained.
Show threadBritish Tech GuruMay 6, 2023
@PierricD @neil That's the way the world seems to be going these days - it doesn't matter the country. Arbitrary detention seems to be the in thing. Now the Soviet Union is gone, there's no example that the world has to avoid. Look at what the Soviet KGB did that we said was evil but which we now do....
Mass surveillance
Arbitrary detention
Imprisonment without conviction
Nullifying not-guilty verdicts and demanding new trials because they're not happy with the result
Show threadbarstewardMay 6, 2023
@neil Sorry, I can’t support your proposal to lock up all cyclists.
Show threadBritish Tech GuruMay 6, 2023
@neil They'd hate me - my bike lock when I am in the UK - is a padlock and a length of chain.
Show threadSouthern LeftistMay 6, 2023
@neil
We have good mindsets if it's for fighting oppression of capitalism, conservatism, and right now the monarchy/
Show thread8tpercentMay 6, 2023
@neil also be careful with using megaphones in public....
Show threadPointyFluffMay 6, 2023

@neil

In 'Murica that's literally *ALWAYS* our experience when dealing with the police.

EDIT: Also there's an uncomfortably non-zero chance they'll simply murder us on the spot, as opposed to arresting us.

Show threadThe Old Reading RoomMay 6, 2023

@neil

This expresses the problem very well. The Met are currently doing some embarrassing back-pedalling, but without much sincerity

Show threadTim Ward ⭐🇪🇺🔶 #FBPEMay 7, 2023
@neil Well ... yes ... but ... I've driven around with a toolbox in my car many times and never once been arrested for going equipped for burglary.
Show threadSebiturboMay 7, 2023
@neil
Be careful, if you are going to buy superglue in order to repair mom‘s tea pot.
Show threadStuartBMay 7, 2023
@neil
IIRC, protestors linking arms is also referred to as "locking on" in court - does that mean people who have limbs are suspect?
Show threadGerard Cunningham ✒️May 7, 2023

@neil

The police service which gave the world Wayne Couzens just told every woman in London that possession of a rape alarm is grounds for arrest.

Show thread⚙️ Roy PhillipsMay 7, 2023
@neil I guess the jails are soon going to be filled with suckling infants
Show threadAlex WhiteMay 11, 2023
@neil worrying