Headfirst Editor's Pick
"For the past 11 years the Undercover Policing Inquiry has been unearthing the truth of police infiltration across left-wing activism. In a timely talk, three comrades directly impacted by the spycops scandal delve into violation of civil liberties, their search for justice, and how to live in the face of escalating state surveillance."
Join the Headfirst mailing list for our unbiased recommendations.
A event on Wednesday 10th September. The event starts at 18:30.
Spycops: The State Vs Democracy, Protest and Justice
Date: Wednesday 10th September 2025
Location: Kit Form, Jamaica Street, Bristol, BS2 8JP
Time: 18:30
After 11 years, the Undercover Policing Inquiry enters its third tranche, confronting the widespread surveillance of justice campaigns—including those for Stephen Lawrence, Ricky Reel, and Jean Charles de Menezes—as well as groups opposing the Iraq war, racism, and environmental destruction. This phase lays bare the disturbing reality of political policing in Britain, where dissent was treated as a threat and infiltrated at every level.
The inquiry has already revealed that infiltration was not limited to a few isolated groups—it was systemic. Officers targeted virtually every strand of left-wing activism: environmental campaigns, animal rights groups, hunt saboteurs, trade unionists, anti-racist organisations, and more. The scale and scope of political policing in Britain is unprecedented and demands public scrutiny.
Join us for an urgent public event to hear from activists directly impacted by these abuses and those who have fought to expose them.
Speakers:
Eleanor Fairbraida
A core participant in the inquiry, Eleanor was deceived by undercover officer Mark Kennedy, who she lived with as a comrade and housemate over a seven-year period. His fabricated identity and deep infiltration into her political and personal life exposed the emotional and psychological toll of covert policing. Eleanor’s brave decision to waive anonymity has been central to exposing the human cost of these operations.
Tom Fowler
A veteran anarchist from South Wales, Tom was part of groups infiltrated by undercover officer Marco Jacobs. He has attended every hearing of the inquiry and hosts the SpyCops.Info podcast, documenting the scandal and its impact on civil liberties. His work has been instrumental in uncovering the scale of political policing in Britain.
Lindsey German
Convenor of the Stop the War Coalition and founding member of Counterfire. Lindsey is one of only two core participants who will give evidence in every phase of the investigation into the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU). She continues to campaign for justice, peace, and democratic accountability through writing, public speaking, and grassroots organising.
What can we continue to learn from the Spycops scandal? What does it reveal about the nature of political and protest policing in Britain? What is the institution of policing really for?
This inquiry—and the saga it has uncovered—remains a vital and urgent tool for critiquing state power. It challenges us to confront the boundaries of democracy, the criminalisation of dissent, and the machinery used to suppress movements for justice. Join us in demanding answers—and in defending the right to protest.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
Date: Wednesday 10th September 2025
Location: Kit Form, Jamaica Street, Bristol, BS2 8JP
Time: 18:30
After 11 years, the Undercover Policing Inquiry enters its third tranche, confronting the widespread surveillance of justice campaigns—including those for Stephen Lawrence, Ricky Reel, and Jean Charles de Menezes—as well as groups opposing the Iraq war, racism, and environmental destruction. This phase lays bare the disturbing reality of political policing in Britain, where dissent was treated as a threat and infiltrated at every level.
The inquiry has already revealed that infiltration was not limited to a few isolated groups—it was systemic. Officers targeted virtually every strand of left-wing activism: environmental campaigns, animal rights groups, hunt saboteurs, trade unionists, anti-racist organisations, and more. The scale and scope of political policing in Britain is unprecedented and demands public scrutiny.
Join us for an urgent public event to hear from activists directly impacted by these abuses and those who have fought to expose them.
Speakers:
Eleanor Fairbraida
A core participant in the inquiry, Eleanor was deceived by undercover officer Mark Kennedy, who she lived with as a comrade and housemate over a seven-year period. His fabricated identity and deep infiltration into her political and personal life exposed the emotional and psychological toll of covert policing. Eleanor’s brave decision to waive anonymity has been central to exposing the human cost of these operations.
Tom Fowler
A veteran anarchist from South Wales, Tom was part of groups infiltrated by undercover officer Marco Jacobs. He has attended every hearing of the inquiry and hosts the SpyCops.Info podcast, documenting the scandal and its impact on civil liberties. His work has been instrumental in uncovering the scale of political policing in Britain.
Lindsey German
Convenor of the Stop the War Coalition and founding member of Counterfire. Lindsey is one of only two core participants who will give evidence in every phase of the investigation into the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU). She continues to campaign for justice, peace, and democratic accountability through writing, public speaking, and grassroots organising.
What can we continue to learn from the Spycops scandal? What does it reveal about the nature of political and protest policing in Britain? What is the institution of policing really for?
This inquiry—and the saga it has uncovered—remains a vital and urgent tool for critiquing state power. It challenges us to confront the boundaries of democracy, the criminalisation of dissent, and the machinery used to suppress movements for justice. Join us in demanding answers—and in defending the right to protest.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
Tickets for similar Bristol events.
— The Trinity Centre
exhibition
talks
life drawing
festival
lgbtq+
