Tomlinson Tape: Video Contradicts Police Claims and Shows Man Being Struck Without Provocation
jonathanturley
British police are facing many question over the death of Ian Tomlinson, 47, who died of a fatal heart attack during the April 1st protests. While police insisted that they had no contact with police after witnesses accused them of attacking him without provocation, new pictures and the video below have emerged that seem to contradict their claims and showing police hitting Tomlinson from behind with a baton. The case should focus the English people on the abusive law to make it a crime to film police. Absent these films, this case would have been buried by the Metropolitan Police Service.
Tomlinson was reportedly trying to get home and was not a protester when he was hit. Ironically, the video was taken by a 38-year-old American investment manager from New York, where citizens are allowed to freely photograph police.
Other witnesses came forward to describe Tomlinson being hit and pushed to the ground — but police continued to deny the allegations.
Such videotapes have recently figured prominently in showing false statements and arrests by police in the United States, here and here.
