On Friday morning, September 21, 2012, as Legal Collective provided support to activists peacefully protesting the Shale Gas Fracking Conference outside of the Philadelphia Convention center, one of our own legal observers, Amanda, was physically attacked by Civil Affairs policewoman, Officer Brown, badge number 2454.

Click on the picture to see more images from Sept 21, 2012

At the time of this assault Amanda was engaging in legal observing of an activist’s arrest at the Shale Gas Outrage action.  When the collective saw what was going on with Amanda, they began to legal observe as well. Officer Barrow (badge number 1147) promptly jumped in front of another collective member, Nathaniel when he attempted to record the misconduct of Officer Brown (badge number 2454).

Both attempts to record the actions of the Philadelphia Police during arrests and misconduct were blocked and retaliated against.

This is no way to treat a legal observer, or any person supporting non-violent resistance.  Legal observing is a vital part of non violent actions to ensure the safety of protestors from police repression and misconduct.

We at Up Against the Law Legal Collective strongly condemn the actions of the Philadelphia Police’s Civil Affairs leadership for allowing this kind of brutality to exist in the midst of peaceful demonstrations.