TAKE DOWN THE SPY CAMERAS!

NOVANEWS

A statement by Birmingham Socialist ResistanceThe erection of over 200 CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) spy cameras in the Sparkbrook and Washwood Heath areas of the city, including 72 covert or hidden cameras, combines state racism, Islamophobia, the surveillance state and the “war on terror” all rolled up into one. They should be rejected completely and taken down immediately.
 This “Project Champion”, is a police operation, funded by anti-terrorist money and was installed without consultation with the local communities. Not that this lack of consultation was an oversight of course. If there had not been a huge outcry of anger from the local, mainly Muslim, community, the cameras would all be smoothly installed and up and running by now. The “consultation” has been forced upon the authorities.
 There has been some confusion in the communities, as there is a concern about crime levels, and there is support for cameras of some kind. However, it should be made clear that these cameras are not about ordinary crime. They are only located in Muslim and some surrounding areas. They are part of the “war on terror” and part of the racist, Islamophobic discourse that permeates the politics of this country.
  As for the deterrence-of-terrorism argument – the reason that a few desperate and misguided Muslims have turned to terrorist actions is due to British and US foreign policies; in particular the invasion and destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan plus the support for Israel. Don’t take our word for it; listen to what they say to justify their actions. The erection of these cameras is likely to increase the feeling of alienation amongst Muslim youth and make them more inclined to listen to fundamentalists, not less.
 According to Birmingham City Council figures, Sparkbrook had 23% unemployment in May 2010, and Washwood Heath 28%, the highest in Birmingham. The Birmingham average was 12%. These areas need investment in homes, services and jobs, not £3 million spent on surveillance. That would be the best way to re-engage with alienated youth in these areas. Of course, the Con Dem national and local government have no such plans. If they are allowed to get away with it there will less, not more, resources and hope on offer.
 These cameras must come down, but the police have no such intention. After a period of “consultation”, they will try their best to go ahead with the un-bagging and turning on of the cameras. At best, we might hope for a compromise.
 We must remember that it was mass action that led to a stalling of the police plans, and only an escalation of mass action will get them removed. It is good that campaigning has now started in the Washwood Heath ward, in the Alum Rock area. This can build on the pioneering work done in Sparkbrook, and put pressure on the shameful silence of the Washwood Heath Councillors. With democratic liaison between the two areas and a programme of escalating action, a victory is possible.
 When the “consultation” period ends, if not before, a public demonstration would be a good way to reinforce the view of the local communities that these cameras should go.
See: www.spyonmoseley.co.uk