I know that many of you were shocked by Suzi's e-mail last week concerning the proposed closure of Fist.
Suzi tells me that hundreds of you have e-mailed messages of support, for which I know she is very grateful.
As the councillor responsible for community safety at the London Borough of Southwark, I was deeply disturbed to hear of the undercover operation the police had undertaken at the club. We must remind ourselves that Fist has been open for nine years, five of those in Camberwell, without incident. It amazes me that as a result of one complaint, the club must now close.
Surely what consenting adults get up to on private property is a matter for them and the police should not seek to get involved. For me, this is a matter of fundamental human rights.
I have had several conversations with the police and it is regrettable that they will not negotiate with us with regard to the continuation of the club. Their actions are illogical, inconsistent and apparently motivated by instituional homophobia. This will do much to destroy relations between the police and our community. First the Block, next Fist, where next? Will it end only when the police have closed every gay club in London?
As a community, we have a responsiblity to fight back against this decision and this is where I need you help. Please help in our fight, by channelling your energies into contacting the police and protesting against this decision, this is what you need to do:
Write a letter/e-mail of protest to Chief Superintendent Rod Jarman, Borough Commander, Southwark Police Station, 323 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1JR (or e-mail rod.jarman@met.police.uk) and send a copy of your letter/email to the MP for Camberwell and Peckham, Harriet Harman QC MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA (or e-mail harmanh@parliament.uk) and a copy to me at richard.porter@southwark.gov.uk. I would suggest your letter/email makes the following points:
* Fist has been operating for many years without incident
* this will be seen as a direct attack on the gay community, and will do much to damage police/community relations
* particularly in light of the proposed changes to sexual offences legislation this decision is illogical, inconsistent and apparently motivated by homophobia within the police
* what consenting adults do on private property is a matter for them and not something the police should be dealing with, especially in light of the high levels of violent and street crime in Southwark.
Your letters and e-mails of support will help hugely to get the message across. The pointless actions of the police takes away much from our community. This is not a losing battle, it is a battle we can and must win.
Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Yours faithfully
Councillor Richard Porter
Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Community Safety
London Borough of Southwark
e-mail richard.porter@southwark.gov.uk
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