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news
CCTVCycling group named on counter-terrorism watch list
A cycling advocacy group has been named on the counter-terrorism watch list issued by the Home Office alongside far-right, neo-nazi and jihadi groups, reports the Independent.
Critical Mass is a cycle safety and advocacy group that campaigns for more environmentally friendly forms of transport and develop cycling-friendly infrastructure.
It has been named on a Home Office terror watch list among an array of “Left-Wing and Associated Single Issue Groups”.
The document also calls on people to report “suspicious activity” to related authorities in order to combat terrorism.
After Critical Mass was first formed in the San Francisco in 1992, the movement came to Europe and groups organised mass rides to “takeover” roads to promote their cause.
In 2012, in London, more than 130 cyclists were arrested by police close to the Olympic Stadium on the opening night of the Games, after over 500 turned up for a monthly Critical Mass cycling event.
Clare Collier, Liberty Advocacy Director, said: “At this rate, anyone with an opinion is going to end up on a watchlist.
"While labelling cyclists as extremists is obviously laughable, Prevent – and the Government’s counter-terror agenda as a whole – must be subject to a thorough independent review for far graver reasons.
"Their questionable tactics not only pose a threat to our civil liberties but to our safety.”
The Prevent programme Ms Collier mentions, trains teachers, youth workers and others who work with young and vulnerable people to spot the signs of radicalisation.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national co-ordinator for the UK’s counter-terror police, said the glossary existed to assist those looking for signs of radicalisation.
He said: “We need our officers, front-line police colleagues and partners to be able to understand what organisations people may be affiliated with, and what their aims and activities – lawful or otherwise – are.
“But the guidance document in question explicitly states that many of the groups included are not of counter-terrorism interest, and that membership of them does not indicate criminality of any kind.
"To suggest anything else is both unhelpful and misleading.”
John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: “Tarring environmental campaigners and terrorist organisations with the same brush is not going to help fight terrorism.
"It will only harm the reputation of hard-working police officers.”
The Independent have reportedly contacted the Home Office and Critical Mass for comment.
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23 comments
At least the police aren't using facial recognition to identify wrong-uns, so all those trouble-making cyclists should be okay.
Wait, what's this now?
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/01/london-to-deploy-live-facial-recognition-to-find-wanted-faces-in-crowd/
It's always odd how the totalitariarin communist dictatorship of the Chinese state can be denounced for using facial recognitian to spy on it's people, but don't worry, our police would never do anything like that. I mean it didn't illegally hold the DNA of innocent people, even when it was told to destroy it all.
Or the fathering of children by undercover cops...
Anyone else think that the H wawei thing might be that, being chinese, they might not be so pliable so that our, and the american security services can spy on us.
Talking of china check out how there social credit system is going .
https://youtu.be/-8b3m3OE-i4
coming to a city near you soon
https://internationalman.com/articles/chinas-social-credit-system-its-co...
Is it me or are people trying to copy Black Mirror episodes?
This is a misnomer. The reason for a cycle campaigning group being on a list is that there is a cross-over of membership with violent organisations, such as Antifa.
Seems cycling is even more dangerous than some people think.
Terrorists often use cars for an attack, so motorists should be on the list - they are always terrorising cyclists.
I'm pretty sure the St Pauli Football Club badge is on the list as well for symbols of these ne'er-do-wells.
This is exactly why these laws come into place so governments can abuse them to gain more control and label anyone a terrorist. It's complete bullshit.
They should just have an annoying cunts list and critical mass would make that one.
Not sure how pissing people off all the time furthers a cause. Look at extinction rebellion, ended up getting beaten by angry commuters.
Let's get people onto bikes.... By making them hate people on bikes!
I'm pretty sure that almost all society changing groups have been considered "annoying". Have a look at how the media reported on the Suffragette movement or the Civil Rights movement.
When the people in power have a vested interest in not changing things, the only thing that can influence them is to be disruptive and annoying.
I don't think anyone has feared for there lives when a load of cyclists get together in protest . To use the term " terrorists " is just fucking insane just like the lunatics who run this world. Don't vote your wasting your time. No government has done anything for you. Money rules the,world not gameshow host politicians who never give you a straight answer .
if anyone has the time watch this and you may learn something https://youtu.be/ySnk-f2ThpE
the problem with your 'annoying cunts list', as much as I applaud your suggestion, is that it will be instantly overpopulated with every single MP's name!
And how many idiots voted for these idiots? Like all those wonderful working class people who will be loosing their rights very soon (vote tory, we'll help you......honest. Who is dumb enough to fall for that?). Well done Britain, glad I'm well out of that place. Worse to come I reckon but if you voted them in you deserve all you get. I just feel sorry for the friends and family I left behind.
Tim,
You really must put your disappointment behind you, it's beginning to cloud your judgement. Have you any idea of the stress we're all under, having to listen to the constant whining and carping from the bad losers?
It seems from your last line that you no longer live on these shores; perhaps that's the best outcome, probably for you and certainly for the rest of us.
You've got control back so get back in your box, collect your 50p on Friday and stop your stupid moaning.
Hi Mike, I'm only dissapointed at the stupidity of some people basically voting against themselves - as it were. As if some posh Eton knob will care about any serf (as they see most of us). I have no political affiliation myself as the illusion of democracy is exactly that, an illusion. I worked this out at 16yo and have seen nothing to change my mind since then (34 years).
And yes I have moved away. Can you blame me? I now live stress free where "most" people are very pleasant rather than where it seems most are just un-caring. Lets see how britain goes shall we. I think it will be downhill but may be wrong.
A lot of us are under stress because we know Boris the liar is in the process of wrecking the country. You (think you) won so you're the one who should stop moaning (though unless you're a billionaire you've actually lost, but don't know it yet).
As for Critical Mass being on the watch list, it is absurd. But then you just need to look at the idiot we have as Home Secretary and all becomes clear.
Tim , it doesn't matter who you vote for , politicians don't control anything .
if corbyn had got in power it would have made no difference in the real world we live in. Money rules .
brexit bullshit. No one knows what they are doing . Simple as that . It will just be a face saving operation but in reality nothing will change ..
If people want to spend there time worrying about these idiots ( and there fear mongerin ,that's what they do ) about things that will never happen then your a bunch of hypnotised idiots . These idiots are sleeping sound at night .They are certainly not thinking about you.
Please tell me the LTDA are on there as well? What with their recurrent efforts to block streets and obstruct traffic and wind people up...and that's just their members' day-to-day behaviour, never mind their organised protests over Uber.
Also, given that it's apparently all about needing
“our officers, front-line police colleagues and partners to be able to understand what organisations people may be affiliated with, and what their aims and activities – lawful or otherwise – are."
...I trust the Police Federation are also on the list?
I'm on the watch list about 3 times now I think
it's great! If concern for the environment and other people makes me an extremist I'll wear that badge with honour and pride!
No doubt next week LGBT groups will be on there along with the Cats Protection League and Save the NHS.
Manchester, St Peter's Square, 31/1/20 (and last Friday of every month). 6pm-ish for 6.30pm-ish start.
Just wondering, does Critical Mass ride in other cities... if so, where and when?
Lancaster, Dalton Square, same day, 5:45