Disabled journalist pulled from wheelchair by riot police

Eyewitnesses say that Jody McIntyre, a journalist and blogger who took part in yesterday’s London protest against student tuition fees, was pulled from his wheelchair on two separate occasions by riot police.

Two pictures appeared on Twitter at around 4pm yesterday. One showed a man in a wheelchair (http://twitpic NULL.com/3ed5tq) at the front of the a police line and the second showed an empty wheelchair (http://twitpic NULL.com/3ed6fq).

There are no photographs so far that show Jody being physically removed, however a correspondent for the Guardian News Blog (http://www NULL.guardian NULL.co NULL.uk/education/blog/2010/dec/09/student-protests-live-coverage) has confirmed what happened:

“I spoke to his brother, Finlay, who says Jody was actually pulled from the chair twice. The first time was near Parliament Square when police insisted he move from close to the front of their lines. Three officers, he said, picked Jody up and dragged him away.

“The second was nearer the river, when officers insisted he and Finlay were in danger near police horses. This time, Finlays says, his brother was pulled bodily on the ground across the street.”

John Edwards (http://twitter NULL.com/#!/Johnny_Edwards), a student from South East London also witnessed the first incident:

“I was there and will testify wherever that this man and his friend/relative were pushed into the street and then the disabled guy was dragged about 15 feet.”

The actions of the officers involved have been criticised by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Black Triangle. Both organisations fight for justice and human rights for all disabled people and oppose the UK Government’s austerity measures.

In an email to the media, a spokesperson for the Black Triangle campaign has alleged that Jody sustained injuries during the incidents:

“We wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the illegal and savage attack on a defenceless man who was pulled from his wheelchair and beaten up less than an hour ago.

“There can be no justification for such brutality in a free and democratic society.

“We will be pressing for the prosecution of the officer concerned and our campaigns are now seeking to locate the victim and are in touch with our legal team.”

Update 4:15pm

Jody has told the East London Lines website (http://www NULL.eastlondonlines NULL.co NULL.uk/2010/12/disabled-journalist-speaks-out-about-violent-police-as-dust-settles-on-student-demonstration/) that he was the victim of an “unprovoked” and “violent” attack.

Update 9pm

Jody has written his account of what happened (http://jodymcintyre NULL.wordpress NULL.com/2010/12/10/week-76-student-protests-part-three/). He says that it was not him but people like Alfie Meadows, a 20-year-old student who required brain surgery after being hit by police truncheons, who were the real victims of heavy-handed-policing yesterday.

Photograph by Germaine Arnold at East London Lines (http://www NULL.eastlondonlines NULL.co NULL.uk).

Tags: austerity, Black Triangle, Disabled People Against Cuts, DPAC, Jody McIntyre, John Edwards, London, student protests