As a relatively new protest movement UK Uncut have played a significant part in changing the terms of debate around economic policy in this country. Indeed they were instrumental in ensuring more people were at the march on Saturday than otherwise would have been. At all times they acted in a way which complemented and supported the TUC march.
However, in taking the type of peaceful action which they routinely undertake, on Saturday UK Uncut were treated in a political and deceptive manner by the police which sends an ominous message about the right to protest (Arrests threaten future protests, lawyer warns, 30 March). It would appear activists were misled by the police about not being arrested when asked to leave the Fortnum & Mason building, after which they were held for a significant length of time, their clothing was confiscated, and they have been denied the right to protest in the near future.
We support the right to protest for a fairer and more equal world. As part of this, we condemn any politically motivated policing which provokes, intimidates or criminalises protesters. We will continue to support UK Uncut until tax justice is secured so the poorest are not forced to pay the price of a financial crisis caused by the richest.
John Hilary War on Want, Nick Dearden Jubilee Debt Campaign, Liz Nelson Tax Justice Network, Neal Lawson Compass, Mark Serwotka PCS, Jeremy Dear NUJ, Len McCluskey Unite, Andy Egan People and Planet
• I saw the footage showing a female police officer assuring 150 demonstrators they would be free to go. After being arrested one said he felt "really shocked" and "Perhaps I shouldn't expect the police to tell me the truth" (UK Uncut claim peaceful tax protesters were tricked by Met, 29 March). However, this now seems to be a standard technique. It was a senior female police officer who assured protesters in Parliament Square (via the media) last November that they were free to go. Then they were kettled in subzero conditions from 4pm to 10.30pm. I presume female officers are deployed in this role as they will appear more credible.
Dave Walsh
Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex
• The letter writer (28 March) who complained that the churches did not support Saturday's march clearly missed the following groups that I saw: the National Justice and Peace Network of the Catholic Church, Justice and Peace Religious Links, Pax Christi, Young Christian Workers, Christian Student Movement, the LiveSimply Network. I was there representing the Justice and Peace Team of the Columban Missionary Society. At least 400 people attended a service at St Martin in the Fields before the march commemorating the 31st anniversary of Archbishop Romero's assassination, and many were in the pews with their banners.
Ellen Teague
Harrow Weald, Middlesex