After the lockdown – it’s time to stop labelling campaigners ‘extremists’

UPDATE, 16 May 2020: The call for signatories has now closed.
We are asking you to add your name to the following statement calling for the National Police Chiefs Council to confirm – before the lockdown is over – that it will abandon completely the categorisation of political campaigning activities as “domestic extremism”.
This is yet another reminder why such government reassurances have proven meaningless as long as the police remain able to subjectively categorise groups as “extremist”, even though this label has no legal definition.
The coronavirus crisis has demonstrated just how dramatically and how quickly political and economic orthodoxies can crumble.
It is now clear society is capable of organising to meet human need rather than simply to generate profit – and not just in a crisis. The government may want everything to return to the way it was before but most likely, as in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, only for the benefit of the few.
Our fear is that campaigners will likely find themselves, once again, labelled as ‘extremists’ and become the renewed target for intensive surveillance by Britain’s political policing units.
That is why we call on the National Police Chiefs Council to confirm, before the current crisis is over, that it will abandon completely the meaningless categorisation of legitimate political campaigning activities as “domestic extremism”.
SIGNED:
Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol)
Baroness Jenny Jones of Moulescoomb, Green Party peer
David Mead, Professor of UK Human Rights Law, UEA School of Law
Michael Hamilton, Senior Lecturer in Public Protest Law, School of Law
Dr Eveline Lubbers and Dr Donal O’Driscoll, Undercover Research Group
Reclaim the Power
CAGE UK
Clare Collier, Advocacy Director, Liberty
Deborah Coles, Director, INQUEST
Bruce Kent, peace campaigner and honorary vice-president, CND
Joe Corre, Talk Fracking
Emily Apple, activist and journalist
Police Spies Out of Lives
Liz Khan, Women in Black London
Pat Bryden, Women in Black Edinburgh
Beryl Maclachlan, Women in Black Edinburgh
Sue Easterbrook, Women in Black Bradford
Sarah Lasenby, Trident Ploughshares and Women in Black Oxford
Jane Tallents, Trident Ploughshares
Rebecca Johnson, Founding President, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
Tim Devereux, Chair, Movement for the Abolition of War
Sally Reynolds, Secretary, Movement for the Abolition of War
Simon Bramwell, co-founder, Extinction Rebellion
Dr Gail Bradbrook, co-founder, Extinction Rebellion
Liam Geary Baulch, Extinction Rebellion
Barbara Richardson, Chair, Roseacre Awareness Group (RAG)
Susan Gough, Frack Free Kirby Misperton
Ellen Lebethe, Chairman, Lambeth Pensioners Action Group
Lorraine Inglis, Weald Action Group
Vicki Elcoate, Weald Action Group / Horse Hill Protection Group
James Knapp, Weald Action Group
Claire Stephenson, Frack Free Lancashire
Robert Dennett, Frack Free Lancashire
Julie Daniels, Frack Free Lancashire
Nick Danby, Frack Free Lancashire
Adela Pickles, Frack Free Ryedale
Sylvia May MBE, Frack Free Isle Of Wight
Ellie Wyatt, Frack Free Sussex
Maureen Mills, Halsall Against Fracking
Anna Somerset, The Gorilla Organization
Angie Zelter, Founder, XR Peace
David Collins, Veterans for Peace UK
Vijay Mehta, Chair, Uniting For Peace
Tom Fowler, Radical Wales
Fatima Jichi, Tom Wainwright and Owen Greenhall, Barristers, Garden Court Chambers
Raj Chada, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors
Shamik Dutta and Michael Oswald, Bhatt Murphy Solicitors
Jules Carey, Patrick Ormerod and Rachel Harger, Bindmans Solicitors
Simon Natas and Lochlinn Parker, ITN Solicitors
Lydia Dagostino, Kellys Solicitors
Matt Foot, Birnberg Peirce Solicitors
Simon Pook, Robert Lizar Solicitors
Ian Brownhill, Barrister, No5 Chambers
Jag Bahra and Ben Curtis, Saunders Law
Steven Bird, Birds Solicitors
Mark Foley, Harrison Bundy Solicitors
Yvonne Kestler, Leigh Day Solicitors
Ellie Cornish, Hickman Rose Solicitors
Phil Chamberlain, co-author of Blacklisted: The secret war between big business and union activists
Dr Rob Faure Walker, SOAS University of London
Pippa King, Biometrics in Schools
Councillor Peter Garbutt, Sheffield City Council
Councillor Paul Turpin, Sheffield City Council
Dylan Lewis-Creser, Northamptonshire Green Party
Professor Paul Ward, Edge Hill University
Dr Leslie Sklair, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics
Professor David Smythe, Emeritus Professor of Geophysics, University of Glasgow
Professor Jane McCarthy, Visiting Professor, University of Reading
Dr Jennifer Hirst, Senior Researcher, University of Oxford
Professor Stephen Webb, Glasgow Caledonian University
Cllr Keith Martin, South Ribble Borough Council
Andrew Simmonds, Association for Environment Conscious Building
Peter Martin, Badger Trust Gloucestershire
Nina Tailor, Gathering Place Films
Rikki Blue, journalist, Real Media
Robert Irving, Green Party
Dr Zoë Ellery, Associate Lecturer, The Open University
Caroline Haywood, Frack Free Selby
Jennee Dixon, Frack Free East Yorkshire
David Barns, Postgraduate researcher, University of Leeds
Philip Shallcrass, Penderwydd, British Druid Order
Alan Lodge, photographer
Andria Efthimiou-Mordaunt, ACT.UP London
Dr Nathan Stephens Griffin, Northumbria University
Janet Fenton, Words & Actions
Juliet McBride, Nukewatch / XR Peace
James Godfrey, Birkbeck University of London
Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council
Ruth Jenkins, Finance Director, Age UK East London
Cllr Sharon Galliford, Surrey Heath Borough Council
Peter Scott, Community Choir Leader, SING Devon
John Plummer, Co-ordinator, Frack Free Harrogate District
Fiona Parker, Cornerhouse
Frances Lobel, Fuel Poverty Action
Ruth London, Fuel Poverty Action
Cllr Sarah Sharp, Chichester District Council
Michael Vickery, Secretary, Frack Free Yeovil
Ellie Wyatt, Eco Action Families
Laura Swaffield, Chair, The Library Campaign
Rashné Limki, Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Business School
Rosalind Readhead, Independent London Mayoral candidate 2021
Nick Francis, Bath Stop the War
Emily Mott, co-founder, Markwells Wood Watch
Alison Williams, Merton Branch Secretary, United Nations Association
Duncan Law, Chair and coordinator, Transition Town Brixton
Saul Jones, Communications Coordinator, London Mining Network
Ana Mizm, Drums Of Dissent
Rick Burgess, co-founder, Manchester Disabled People Against Cuts
Will Cottrell, Chair, Brighton Energy Coop
Camilla Saunders, Footloose Community Arts
Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Spokesperson, Hackney Green Party
Paul Bradshaw, Vice Chair, The Moss Alliance
Sheila Menon, Plane Stupid
Gillian Charters
Ron Thorp
J Lockyer-Barrett
Jessica Peach
Christian Murphy
Mark Walters
Lisa Oldham
Sarah Edgar
A M Poppy
Michael Gumn
Simon Coopey
Irena Hoare
Chris Brown
Jonathan Carter
James Topham
Kate Needham
Andrew Lockett
Kev Wheeler
David Jefferies
Eileen Gibson
Josh Price
Nicola Stewart
David Mulligan
Mark Baldwin
Ben Smith
Nick White
Miranda Cox
Elizabeth Bates
Tom Pearce
Karen Pinder
Andreas Noll
Jane Eades
Ian Campbell
Dr Christopher Owens
Jane Carruthers
Mark Oliver
Michelle Taylor
Maryam Halcrow
Ink Asher Hemp
Matt Weir
Bo Jacobs Strom
Julie Hutchison
Carl Heaton
Dr Holly Langstaff
Joshua Warburton
Dominic Goncalves
Elisabeth Radbon
Anish Chhibber
Becca Horn
Ezra Mills
Anthony Walker
Helen Essex
Claire Morgan
Michael Erskine
RoseMary Warrington
Simon Buckner
John Calvert
Helen Pender
Linda Hurrell
Darren Woodiwiss
David Angel
Dorothy Wood
Phil Malkin
Susan Sidey
Ronald and Daniela Drysdale
John Wilson
Adriana Newsum
Thomas Sutcliffe
Elaine Gregory
Patrick Thompson
Veronika Gibbins
Andy Wilson
Laura McEntee
AJ Mitchell
Richard Wise
Dennis May
Matthew Coleman
Tiziana Clark
Chris Groves
Richard Green
Richard Church
John Pegram
Peter lomas
Jacqueline Gillman
Alan Grimsditch
Ian Hammond
Alastair Lings
Tobey Newey
Dan Ryan
Sue Mallender
Frank Adlington-Stringer
Ian Wilson
Ralph Turner
Liz Fisher
N Smith
Taherali Gulamhussein
Ian Pocock
El Ashfield
J Robson
Sarah Chalk
Robin Baldock
Barney Britnell
H White
Celia Davies
John Mitchell
Bee Warren
Sanya Pitchkarevich
Mark Papp
Luke Buckler
Michael Branch
Joseph Latimer
Caroline Simpson
Pat Gaffney
Paula Shaw
Chiara Contrino
Tom Franklin
Dr Gregory Melia
Dr Rowin Young
Edward Homson
Peter Marshall
Sion Du
David Amos
Andree Duguy
David Hainsworth
Adam Sargant
Doreen Jaques
David Mackenzie
Muaaz Furqan
Dave Mason
Dr Mary Edwards
Aurora Yaacov
James Marsh
Sue Lees
Sheila Triggs
Marion Permaul
Paula Green
Steve Whittemore
Barbara Saville
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
Kathryn Edwards
Valerie Jarvis
Linda Oubridge
Laura Esther
Dr Francesca Brock
Dr Stevie Cambridge-Claremont
Mike Hams
Robert Whybrow
Mark Sullivan
Helen Ditchburn
Jo Reuben
Lorcan Smith
Dawn Hilton
Terence Harris
Nikki Little
Ollie Grix
Nina Horner
Alice Owen
Barney Francis
Simone Lister
Chris Hilliard
Dr Greg Peakin
Gill McCoy
Karen Le Roy Harris
Sue White
Steve Whittemore
Ruth Redman
Elizabeth Cruse
Adrian Palmer
Michael Farman
Alan Hardman
Doreen Jaques
Dan Carrington
Greg Hewitt
Catherine Savery
Anna O’Brien
Liz Snook
Rowena Murphy
Gavin Atkin
Hannah Thomson
Colin Saunders
Val Jarvis
Pamela Church
Philip Orr
Dawn Lucas
Michael Cooper
Dr Pamela Davies
Dr Susan Weaver
Harriet Wood
John Scullion
John Houston
Cath Fletcher
Nicholas Clare
Jack Vincent
Dr Janice Baker
Al Young
Liz Allmark
Veronica Bale
Anita Pollitt
Benedita Whitehouse
Valerie Stagg
Claire Hunt
CT Summers
Christa Mackinnon
Polly Bluck
Catherine Jackson
Louise Brown
Dr Sarah Wishart
Jonathan Weekes
Jenna Hoyt
Kathy Kohl
Rosemary Killen
Louisa Shorney
Victoria Knight
Seersha O’Sullivan
Jill Walton
Hilary Harris
John Hills
Heather Speight
Martin Berger
Kim Cordery
Jacqueline Phillips
Amber Louise Everitt
Benjamin Stainton
Accalia Hipwood
Tom Broughton
Alan Lofthouse
Ged Kelly
Sophie Broadbent
Ruth Bradshaw
Fran Hicks
Lila Khodja
Karen Stutz
Joanna Lowndes
Diana Morgan
Joy Susy
Angela Fiddes
James Sebley
Daniel and Renate Aspden
Dr Zoe Kinsley
Sarah Green
Heather Peacock
Duncan Reed
Paul Blythen
Thomas Evans
Philip Maber
Ronan McNern
Laura Eccott
Sue Clarke
Ann Stewart
Dean Phillips
James Kelsey
Marc Campleman
Heather Ackroyd
Jenny Rivett
Allen Wheway
Claire Anstee
Paul Thomas
Derri Cobourne
Natalie Stamp
Joseph Ridsdale
Bernie Kenneally
Yoana Kalcheva
Charlotte Richardson
Steve Cork
Julia Dickenson
Clare Pitt
Richard Plant
Aideen McCarthy
Patricia Smith
S McNamara
Angela Brown
Deborah Gibson
Sam Parker
David Atkinson
Jennie Gibson
Richard Hearn
Wendy Cross
Julian Barnard
Dr Jay Ginn
Libby Darling
Nigel Corser
Daniel Cole
Claire Simmons
Dr Beatrice Birtwell
Ann James
Melanie Monchar
Hannah Stanton
Kathryn Tulip
Pippa Hockey
Noreen Griffiths
Phil Croxton
Sheila Freeman
Bella Brown
Dr Paul Stevens
Shirley Davidson
Rosemary-Kate Hughes
Daniel Galbraith
Kat Barton
Janie Mac
Sue Gilmurray
Dawn Smith
Jon Kennedy
Kim Turner
J Harris
Linden Sheffield
Dr Bill North
Claire Hamilton Russell
Charlie Cameron
Lisa Penfold
Lowri Nia
Michelle Charlesworth
Anne Maclachlan
Nick Parker
Dr Pete Underwood
Dr Larry Culliford
Toni Papageorgiou
Barrie Slipper
Lucienne de Mauny
Jane King
Jules Stevenson
Phil Ball
Andrea Wicks
Natasha Hawkes
Tim Hunt
Paul Antonelli
Felicity Allbrooke
Sue Spencer-Longhurst
Dr Bruce Callander
Andrea Coope
Eve Read
Megan Murray-Pepper
S Pearce
Lee Walsh
Paula Millington
Rabeel Mohammed
Alison Braddock
Mrs Jane Taylor
Joanna Blackman
Caroline Thomson-Smith
B Emerson
Caroline Watson
Jo Lane
Danielle Kail
Sonja Francis
Linda Burnham
Daniel Tegg
Elliot Harbourne
Thalia Carr
Tim Boardman
C P Ledger
Jane McDonnell
Kirsty Wilkins
Marion Couldrey
Jamie Russell
David Penn
Fae Wareing
Dr Michael Segal
Heather Black
Tina Teearu
Deborah Densham
Carolyn Dodd
Anna Currado
Caroline Roaf
L Niland
Dr Tessa Say
Dr Tina Leonard
Bruce Heagerty
Dr Lesley Morrison
Jessica Upton
Dr Ines Smyth
Clare Ambrose
Brigitte Scott-Florek
Sara Rodriguez
Martin Lake
Barbara Panvel
Jim Smith
B Westwood
John Lynes
Judy Cunniffe
Jill Oakes
Alex Berry
Ruth Garwood
George Paxton
Ms Lucy MacArthur
Dr Al Williams
Jane Robets
Natasha Hull
Gillian Hurle
Jocelyn Gaskell
Canon Robin Murch
Audrey Miller
Linda Wells
Dr Mark Baldwin
Betty Halford
Vida Henning
Andrew Wallwork
Theresa Norton
David Barry
Ian Chappell
Beatrice Millar
Morag Warrack
D Fuchs
M Malcher
Dorinda Bennett
Tim Stimson
Susan Turner
Ryan Simpson
Annie Draj
Monica Frisch
David Knight
Dr Sita Balani
Elizabeth Barber
Alan McQueen
Wai-Gong Lee
Antony Denton
Kris O’Donnell
Jake Lake
Victoria Emerson
Jennifer Hedges
Debra Mallard
Clare Davis
Douglas Hopton
M Jills
Louise Mallan
Joya Newcombe
Caroline Walsh
Matt Thomas
Alan Flint
Beth Bramich
John Dowbekin
Jake Dowzell
Sarah Wild
Marcus Lugg
Caro Wilkinson
Liz Prince-Harding
Cait Ni Cadlaig
Bruce Bassam
Corinna Spengler
Bronwen Griffiths
Tab Goode
Anne Cooke
Richard Old
Tim Lane
Jackie Lane
Dr Judith Dodds
Ruth Riley
Kate Chesterman
Ian Medgett
Bob Edden
Graeme Tierney
Andy Platt
Dr Rowland Dye
Ann Farr
George Turner
Mike Brookes
Karen Lugg
Rebecca Hansen
Camille Fidgett
Brenda Levings
June Chadwick-Dobson
Paul Beer
Colette Mckinlay
Sam Loughrey Black
Joyce Robertshaw
Alice Jenkinson
Georgiana Hempson
Sophia Chalk
Catherine Enright
Madeleine Massey
Jane Dalton
Barbara Hungin
Joel Atkinson
Liz Goold
Lorna Scott
Sarah Finch
Mary Edwards
Annu Mayor
Shaun Turner
Christopher Cates
Samantha Lomax
John Martin
Dr Laurence Cox
Emily Connor
Mia Tomlins
Paul Steele
Helen Martins
Isla Casson
Sylvia Tilbury
Chris White
Beryll Withers
Sarah Holloway
Mary Wyburn
Douglas Wragg
David Reid
Una-Jane Winfield
Sophie Pritchard
Isidora Markovic
Martin Moore
Sally Boys
Rod Thick
John Prangley
Kim Hope
Joanna Wightman
David Austin
Pauline Cory
Lorna Hicks
Lucy Cawdery
Patricia Wright
P Martin
Bryn Truscott
Giorgio Riva
Julia Moffett
Kelly Tuvey
Emily Defries
Emma Randall-Milne
Rev Jackie Maw
Paul Brewer
Zoe Leeds
Gill Lloyd
George Wilson
Phil Mitchell
Pam Lucas
John Blewett
K Hollis
Lucy Barford
Mark Bishop
Linda Hellström-Hjelm
Sian Vaughan
D Jones
Dan Harvey
Rowan Walters
Valentina Bernardi
Tracey Cottell
Dr Martin Bainton
June Buchan
Valerie Briginshaw
Z Whiteside
Erika Adler
Noa Lachman
Jillian Robinson
Mark Hardy
Karen Jackson
Tim Beecher
Sherri Steel
Kathryn Jefferson
Emma Luxton