Britain: Anti-fracking protesters face extreme police tactics

August 28, 2013
Issue 

Campaigners vowed today to challenge the use of “extreme” pressure-point tactics to break the anti-fracking blockade tagretted operations of energy giant Cuadrilla in Balcombe, Morning Star said on August 22.

Sussex Police used the “mandibular angle” technique to drag people away from a peaceful sit-in on the road to the site on August 19, the article said. The martial arts-style move involves applying force to a pressure point just behind the ear and delivers excruciating pain but no lasting injury.

Television footage showed one officer ramming his thumb behind the ear of the son of Green MP Caroline Lucas. The MP was eventually arrested along with her son and 27 others, Morning Star said.

The cost of policing the anti-fracking protests in Balcombe has soared to 2.3 million pounds (about $4 million), the Morning Star said on August 23.. About 1000 extra protesters descended on the outskirts of Balcombe for the six-day Reclaim the Power camp, which included a march and two days of direct action.

More than 30 people were arrested all up during the camp, organised by No Dash For Gas. The environmental campaigners were protesting against energy firm Cuadrilla's exploratory oil drilling operation in the region.

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