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[ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] I went to a demonstration today at RAF Fairford, which is a US B52 base, used the previous night for the shameful bombing of Baghdad. There were perhaps 10,000 demonstrators, all relatively good tempered. It all passes off without any problems, but what shocked me most was the quantity and quality of police involvement. We were stopped briefly on the way down by coach by considerable police presence in the village of Lechlade which we had to pass through. Our coach was not boarded but a policeman with a video camera seemed to be taking some sort of record of the passengers. Later, I heard of coaches from London which had been stopped, boarded, and the passengers searched! One coach was actually refused permission to continue the journey to Fairford. I am very shocked that UK police practice has sunk to this level. Fairford itself seemed absolutely inundated with police, from all over the country. I didn't see, or hear about any problems of any kind. I am told that all the policemen were wearing bullet proof clothing. I saw at least ten perhaps twenty policemen with video cameras taking pictures of the crowds. I cannot imagine on whose authority nor what on earth they intend to do with them. I am shocked. Chris _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk