During the night of February 4th to 5th, 2010, on Meryem Mehdi's 56th day of hunger strike, we were harassed by police under the pretext that they had received a call concerning a person in distress. We suspect British Gas of being behind this in order to destabilize the women who were at the bedside of Meryem Mehdi. We denounce the roughness of the policemen which worsened the state of health of Meryem to a state of shock. Nassira Ghozlane had to explain to the police chief, who arrived after the departure of his men, that the striker had suspended her action following an invitation by British Gas to negotiate (for the sole purpose of making them leave). Without calling them, the Fire Brigade (paramedics) then arrived to transport her to hospital. After much negotiation, the police services left whilst reinforcements were sent to the Fire Brigade. The person in charge of SNAPAP's women's committee then contacted their commander and under threat of an official complaint, the latter ordered the firemen stationed at the entrance of the building to regain their stations.

Translation of this article on SNAPAP women's committee's blog.