The New Dark Age

Thursdasy, 14 November 2024 — NetPol

In April 2009, police brutally attacked G20 protesters in London. Ian Tomlinson was struck over the head by a police baton, and died from his injuries minutes later. 

The massive policing operation that day was so violent that nearly 300 complaints were made against the police. Ian wasn’t a protester, he was a newspaper vendor who had been caught up in the chaos of a police riot. His family campaigned for justice for decades, before an inquest finally returned a verdict of unlawful killing by police.

Netpol was formed in the aftermath of this, when groups came together in November 2009 to resist violent and oppressive policing. For the last 15 years, we’ve worked alongside social movements to defend dissent.

We’ve covered the policing of the UK Black Lives Matter movement, supported the anti-fracking movement and we’re challenging the crackdown on climate protesters. In 2024 we released ‘In Our Millions’, Netpol’s report on the racist policing of pro-Palestine campaigners.

To mark 15 years of resisting police surveillance, intimidation and violence, we’re asking you to support our work by making a donation.

Go to Netpol.org/Donate now, or you can also make a donation via Paypal.