Eve Middleton sat on a picnic blanket in a park, sharing vegan biscuits with fellow activists when about 30 police officers approached. One officer warned, “Don’t run or you’ll be cuffed.” The scene turned chaotic as another officer grabbed the biscuits, questioning their ownership.
Bridie Leggatt, another activist, found the situation both absurd and frightening. These young activists were meeting for a nonviolence training event, enjoying the sunny weather. Last weekend, they were among 13 people arrested in Salford and London as part of a crackdown on a new group called Take Back Power.
This group has been protesting against inequality, leading campaigns including a controversial act of “mass shoplifting.” The police claimed the arrests were tied to this campaign, although the group insists they were merely trying to address societal issues. In March, officers had already raided a similar training event in Westminster.
Surprisingly, the group’s TikTok videos show activists of all ages “liberating” products like rice, beans, and nappies from supermarkets, claiming they’d donate these items to food banks. Such actions come at a time when theft in supermarkets is reportedly at record highs, a trend noted by the Office for National Statistics.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker of Greater Manchester Police emphasized that this organized crime would not be tolerated. After being detained for 24 hours, Middleton and her friends were released, but many in their group are seasoned activists, with experiences from groups like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.
Take Back Power made headlines last December when activists threw custard at a display of the crown jewels. Since then, they mentioned fifty arrests, mostly during training sessions. Their goal is to attract attention to the deepening inequality in Britain, advocating for higher taxes for the rich and a citizens’ assembly.
James, a spokesperson for the group, explained they have no formal leadership and have raised over £65,000 in donations recently. Activists argue that the affluent should bear the savings burden instead of low-paid workers. For instance, Tesco’s CEO received a whopping £9.2 million last year—about 400 times the average pay of a supermarket worker.
Interestingly, discussions surrounding civil resistance have gained traction on social media. Users have voiced concerns about police actions against peaceful protests, highlighting a perceived overreach.
The Peel Park picnic site bears the name of Sir Robert Peel, recognized for establishing modern policing principles focused on public trust. Yet, the recent arrests have raised questions about whether these principles are being upheld.
Middleton believes such actions reflect a fear within the authorities. She noted, “They see that Take Back Power resonates with many people tired of inequality. They’re scared of how this could develop.”
As calls for change grow louder, Take Back Power plans to keep the spotlight on inequality as a major electoral issue leading up to the next general election, due by August 2029.
