Blacklisting & Police Surveillance film screening and talk, Scottish Parliament

Neil Findlay MSP and Lucy Parker, artist filmmaker.
Wednesday 10th February 2016, 6pm – 8pm

‘Do we have a policing and justice system that treats everyone the same, irrespective of class, status, colour, religion or political persuasion, or do we have one that picks out individuals and groups for special treatment because they challenge the prevailing orthodoxy or threaten, even in a tiny way, the grip that those in positions of power have on our economy and society?’
– Neil Findlay in Spycops debate, Scottish Parliament

Neil Findlay MSP will speak on the surveillance and blacklisting of political activists, trade union members and workers and on the work that is being done to protect workers from future blacklists and to ensure that companies who use lists are suitably sanctioned.

Lucy Parker will present a short film featuring blacklisted construction workers (20 mins) In the film a group of construction workers speak openly about the impact that the Blacklist which was supported by special branch, had on their lives.

Between 1993 and 2009, the UK based Consulting Association worked with special branch, not to prevent terrorism or potential threats to life, but to infiltrate legitimate democratic trade unions and to act in collaboration with big construction companies to deny people the right to work – individuals were placed a blacklist by employers for speaking out about safety conditions on site, being trade union members or working as activists. The blacklist was accessible to construction firms who could purchase the information before deciding whether to employ workers. When the list was uncovered in 2009, 3213 individuals’ files were found.

Please book a place by emailing:
lucy.c.parker@gmail.com
Names need to go to security at parliament before the event so please book a place before the 5th February.

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Neil Findlay is a Member of Scottish Parliament (Labour) with a long standing interest in blacklisting and police surveillance. He is currently campaigning for the Pitchford Inquiry to be extended to Scotland.

Lucy Parker is an filmmaker based in London. The film being screened is part of her research towards a feature film that will explore blacklisting and the broader themes of political exclusion. Her research for the film was recently exhibited at Rhubaba Gallery Edinburgh.