Initiative for a Leicestershire Claimants' Union
Unemployed and unwaged activists in the area are looking to set up a Claimants' Union. To get involved, email leicestersolidarity@gmail.com
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Nottingham Prosecution of the ‘Atos Two’
Upcoming events & call for expert witnesses
You may already be aware of the case against the ‘Atos Two’ (for links to Indymedia coverage please see below).
Following a protest at Atos "Healthcare" in Nottingham on September 30th a retired paediatric nurse and a wheelchair user were arrested and charged with aggravated trespass.
Since the arrest there have been amazing acts of solidarity by many people who e.g. send messages, signed a statement of support, spread the word, came to a solidarity demo outside the court etc.
Massive thanks to everyone!
After pleading not guilty on November 25th, the trial has been set for February 27th and 28th 2012 at Nottingham Magistrates Court.
There will be a solidarity demonstration outside Nottingham Magistrates Court on Monday February 27th from 9am. http://nottingham.indymedia.org/events/2247
There will be a demonstration in Nottingham against Atos, the attacks on the welfare system and the criminalisation of protests on Friday February 3rd 12.30pm.
Meet at the crossroads
Carlton Street - Broad Street - Stoney Street(near Ice Nine). The demo route will be fully accessible though slightly hilly (this isNottingham after all). The route will be less than one kilometre.
Carlton Street - Broad Street - Stoney Street(near Ice Nine). The demo route will be fully accessible though slightly hilly (this is
We are also planning a meeting/workshops to be held in Nottingham on the weekend before the trial (Saturday February 25th) to discuss political policing as well as attacks on benefit claimants. Further details to be announced asap.
We are looking for persons who would like to participate in planning this event. If you are interested in planning/attending/participating please contact nottsdefence@riseup.net
People are of course welcome to stay over for the trial!
We are also looking into possibilities for expert witnesses (e.g. campaigners, health workers) giving evidence at the trial itself. If you know persons who might be willing to give evidence regarding Atos in court, please contact nottsdefence@riseup.net If someone would be up for this please get in touch soon as the solicitor needs to know asap (essentially before X-Mas).
Further information/updates to be announced asap.
Please circulate this message widely.
Thanks a lot.
Best wishes
Notts Defence
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Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/nottsdefence
Indymedia coverage re ‘Atos Two’
Re original protest and the charges
Re events at the Magistrates Court
The statement of support (to sign please email nottsdefence@riseup.net)
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A Rolling Festive Phone-in to Atos 'Healthcare'
From an email forwarded to LSG
As part of the National Month of Festive Action Against Atos we are calling for a rolling mass telephone complaint to poverty pimps Atos in the run up to Christmas.
Please forward, share, blog, tweet and spread the word urgently!
Beginning on Monday 12th December and running up until Christmas benefit claimants, disabled people and supporters will be ringing both local and national Atos Offices to complain about their obscene treatment of
sick and disabled people.
How To Get Involved
We urgently need as many towns, cities, groups and individuals to commit to a morning or afternoon shift in the upcoming days and get as many people as possible to ring Atos and complain about their involvement in the Work Capability Assessment.
To maximise the protest we will aim to have as many groups as possible calling Atos at different times in the run up to Christmas. We’ll maintain a list here and on facebook to try and help co-ordinate times/dates and see if we can keep the phonelines buzzing daily in the run up to Christmas. Please contact us by leaving details in the comments on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/events/281777128534663/) or emailing us at: notowelfarecuts@yahoo.co.uk
If you aren’t part of a local group, or even if you are, support the other protests by calling Atos along with them.
Either ring your local Atos Offices, or their corporate headquarters, or why not both! Atos’s main numbers (including a handy freephone number) are:
Either ring your local Atos Offices, or their corporate headquarters, or why not both! Atos’s main numbers (including a handy freephone number) are:
+44 (0)20 7830 4444 (Tel)
+44 (o)20 7830 4233 (Tel)
+44 (0)800 783 3040 (Freephone)
+44 (0)20 7830 4445 (Fax)
Atos ‘Healthcare’ who run the Work Capability Assessment have a main number at: +44 (0) 113 230 9175
Whilst it’s well worth trying to speak to a manager or senior individual if possible please bear in mind most people taking calls will be low paid receptionist/admin staff so we call on people to be business-like and non-confrontational. Be aware that is an offence to make telephone calls which are threatening, indecent or offensive. Keep it fluffy. Why not sing them a carol?
Anyone who manages to get through to Atos CEO Keith Wilman will win the customary prize of a free Crisis Loan*
Some calls may be recorded for the purposes of taking the piss.
Brighton DPAC who will be phoning Atos on the mornings of Monday 12th and Monday 19th of December have produced a script/template which can be read out, or emailed/faxed to Atos. Visit their fb event page (below) for details.
Join in online!
You can also contact Atos via email. Their Head of PR can be reached at: caroline.crouch@atos.net and general enquiries can be sent to: ukwebenquiries@atos.ne. Atos ‘Healthcare’ can be reached at: customer-relations@atoshealthcare.com or to ask for a job go to: jobs@sjbmedical.com
Atos have new facebook groups and pages springing up all the time. Search for Atos on facebook to find them. You can also tweet using the hashtags #atos, we’ll be monitoring twitter for any other hashtags Atos use.
Action planned so far
Monday 12th and Monday 19th December from 9am
Brighton DPAC: For details visit: http://www.facebook.com/events/132910660153707/
Please organise and contact us to be added to the list!
If you are planning on braving the cold and holding a protest as part of the month of action please send details asap to: notowelfare@yahoo.co.uk or leave details in the comments.
Don't forget to come to the Triton Square Christmas Party and Picnic outside Atos’ Headquarters on December 16th from 2pm: http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wo...picnic-at-triton-square-friday-16th-december/
*actually we still can’t give out Crisis Loans as prizes. The DWP are bastards like that.
Atos are the French IT firm responsible for carrying out the government’s Work Capability Assessment which has led to tens of thousands of sick and disabled people being forced into poverty after being stripped of essential benefits. Despite the process being dubbed unfit for purpose and an increasing number of suicides due to the stressful and vicious health testing regime, this form of assessment is to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit.
If you are planning on braving the cold and holding a protest as part of the month of action please send details asap to: notowelfare@yahoo.co.uk or leave details in the comments.
Don't forget to come to the Triton Square Christmas Party and Picnic outside Atos’ Headquarters on December 16th from 2pm: http://benefitclaimantsfightback.wo...picnic-at-triton-square-friday-16th-december/
*actually we still can’t give out Crisis Loans as prizes. The DWP are bastards like that.
Atos are the French IT firm responsible for carrying out the government’s Work Capability Assessment which has led to tens of thousands of sick and disabled people being forced into poverty after being stripped of essential benefits. Despite the process being dubbed unfit for purpose and an increasing number of suicides due to the stressful and vicious health testing regime, this form of assessment is to be extended to everyone on some form of disability or health related benefit.
