G20 protests, London 2009. Nabeela Zahir

April 2009.

My exclusive footage taken during the G20 protests, London 2009 shows Ian Tomlinson after he collapsed, shortly after being attacked by TSG (Territorial Support Group) officers. An edited version of this video can be seen on the Guardian website.

What does this footage show?

The  footage provides further evidence in terms of the police explanation that was given following Tomlinson’s death, which indeed was very misleading. The official police statement asserted that the police were hindered in their attempt to aid Tomlinson, as protesters launched ‘a barrage of missiles’ at police officers and medics.

However, the footage contradicts this claim, the video clearly shows one ‘missile’ [i.e. a piece of wood] is seen to be thrown, but we can clearly hear a protester in the crowd shouting

“There is someone hurt, don’t throw anything”

A second protester can be heard as well seen on the video, with his arms in the air shouting:

“There is someone hurt here, back the fuck up!”

Indeed this does signify that a missile is thrown, however what it also shows is that

• There were no barrage of missile, one piece of wood does not constitute to an array of dangerous missiles that would have prevented anyone from doing their job. Either way no ‘missile’ is launched at a police officer or medic.
• The crowd was not acting like uncivilised rioters who hindered the police/medics efforts. Instead the crowd looks fairly passive, simply milling around to see what has happened.

Furthermore, the footage unveils further disturbing the truths about the police. Primarily the police move quickly to push away protesters and bystanders, who are clearly attempting to aid Tomlinson. One of the protesters pushed, was a man on the telephone to the ambulance service. The ambulance service had wanted to speak to an officer; however the officer declines to take the call?

Perhaps the officer didn’t think it was an emergency, or maybe he was under attack by protesters?

Lastly, if you pause at 56 seconds you can see that riot officers have canceled their faces. Three of the four officers in the shot have their masks pulled half way up their faces. I have always wondered why and how the police are allowed to do this.

Well apparently they are not! Common sense would lead us to conclude they are hiding their identity for a reason, could it be to hide the face of a police officer guilty of brutality?

Background: Who was Ian Tomlinson?

Around 19:20 on April 1^st, Ian Tomlinson an innocent passerby [NOTE: Not a protester). He was not protesting against the G20 summit, he was simply attacked by police officers as he was caught up in the mayhem on his way home.

Tomlinson was struck with a baton and thrown to the floor by a riot officer who had covered his face with a balaclava, and canceled his badge number.

Following this Tomlinson was then seen stumbling down Cornhill, an area in the City of London, he then collapsed opposite St Michael’s Alley where this footage was shot

It wasn’t until I saw the footage of Ian Tomlinson being attacked by the police, that I realised the significance of my footage. So I urge you, if you have any sort of footage please give it to the Guardian, or the IPCC, we cannot allow this sort of police brutality to take place in the United Kingdom, the so called home of democracy

To view the original uneditied version and additional footage of the days protests, go to the videos section of this site, or see below:

Please click here for the full Guardian article including my exclusive footage and for The initial footage that showed Ian Tomlinson being attacked by police, moments before his death

Excellent coverage of the Ian Tomlinson case on the Guardian website please click here for further information.

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