A protester struck by a police riot shield at the G20 demonstrations in London may have had a miscarriage, it was revealed today.
An investigation by the police watchdog said the woman began bleeding heavily but was stopped from leaving the area for five hours by the police ‘kettling’ tactic.
The 23-year-old, who said she does not know for sure if she was pregnant, described the violence ‘as unnecessary, disproportionate and inhumane,’ adding: ‘I feel violated.’
She claimed to have suffered bruising on her arms and legs when she was kicked and pushed by officers holding shields and batons.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the woman was forcibly pushed with a ‘short’ shield and struck by an officer’s forearm after being trapped at the front of a group of demonstrators as police moved forwards.
She was later told by a doctor there was a ‘low’ chance she may have suffered a miscarriage, but the woman did not think she was pregnant.
Officials agreed the woman was forcibly pushed back by an officer using a ‘short shield’ and said her experience was typical of many peaceful protesters.
The incident took place during the Climate Camp, a spontaneous demonstration a short distance from the Bank of England, on April 1.
Deborah Glass, of the IPCC, said: ‘While this young woman’s alleged injuries were more serious than most, her experience appears to have been typical of many peaceful protesters on 1 April.
‘She was caught up in what appears to have been a frightening experience over which she had little or no control.
‘Like many others that day, she says she had no prior warning of the police intention to use force in containing the crowd, and no prior warning of a containment tactic that prevented her leaving.’
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