recuest. This was a significant victory and, although the resolutions are still on paper. poses the possibility of building a mass campaign rooted in the labour movement and ready to challenge any government back-down under SPUC pressure. Unfortunately, in spite of these possibilitles opening up, recently allowed the initiative to slip between its fingers and the ball is once again back in the antiabortionists' court. most dramatically last October when SPUC managed to mobilise 60, 000 on the streets while NAC was unable to make any response, thus giving Wilson a free hand to propose a ¡free vote! on the re-convening of the Select Committee.
INAL nas This was shown Sabina Roberts, LSA representative on the NAC Steering Citee. Q. Do you think SPUC's demo last October influenced MPs?
We have to realise that the SPUC demo was not a one-off effort but part of a long-term campaign. SPUC have been mobilising on the streets ever since 1967 to get the Abortion Act repealed. ceasing in their pressure upon MPs and, in the absence of any visible alternative until last year, theyive been able to claim that majority opinion is on their side. The 60, 000 strong demo a few months back will certainly reinforce their arguements. Even it ine select Citee is not reconvened, which seems unlikely, we can be sure inal stu will continue with their campaign to restrict abortion rignis.
Q. What should be NAC's main thrust in the next period?
We must first recognise that lack of a national tocus over the past o months or so has taken its toll. has dissipated the forces of NAC -in purely local activities - and allowed SPUC to regain the init¡ative. If we are now going to pull NAC out of its 'lethargy!, begin building seriously for the mass demonstration called for April 3rd by the National Planning Meeting. Only mass action of this kind can show the government that women in this country will not tolerate any restrictions to their abortion rights.
Q. Why do you think NAC let the initiative pass away?
Well, the LSA argued in local NAu groups and at the Committee since last July that it was necessary to centralise the campaign around a national focus to combat any anti-abortion moves. One of the forces most violently opposed to any national demonstration has been the IMG. They argued against a demonstration last November - when it was well known SPUC were organising a mass rally - and even opposed, ine steering Committee for a mass demo in late March or early Apri later overwnelmingly accepted by the National Planning Meeting. They have been unwe must Steering literally, on our call Q. What were IMG's reasons?
I think the main reason the IMG has opposed such actions is simply that they are against Isingle-issue campaigns and have been trying, for some time now, to dissolve NAC into a struggle at local level agains: cuts in the NHS.
Q. How should NAC orient to the labour movement?
Both the TUC and Labour Party conferences recently came out in support of a woman's right to abortion on recuest. make it easier to gain support TOr NAL activities such as ine April 3rd demo. We should also call upon the labour movement to demand the government implement those decisions democratically reached at conference. Up to now the government, while in favour of curbing 'abuses', has tried to get or ine nook Dy treating abortion as a moral issue up to the inalvica conscience We need to put them on the spot. Loca Labour Party wards should inform their MPs that they are expected to abide by conference decisions and, if not, that the action taken by the Newham CLP is not limited to Newham!
Q. Is there a real potential for building NAC today?
If you look back over NAC's short history, it has probably been one of the most successful campaigns Dult lo dales witnin two monins. it managed to mobilise over 25.000 on the streets. success was due to the fact tha I look vo a redi concrete Issu of women's rights and fought for • wordiy on une streets. We neec to learn from this and, with the avenues or support opening up in the labour movement, I have every confidence we can ao for. ward and build a mass movement in the coming period. it is only by bringing masses out into the streets that we can stor the government in its tracks from sending thousands of women back to back-street abortions.
Roy Jenkins - introduced the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
peacefully persuading the driver not to cross the picket line.
Further curbs may be in the pipeline if the government decides to accept the reconcuddlions or ine raw commissior in a working paper last June. These proposdis - inal lrespass and remaining on property after being asked to leave should become a criminal offence - art clearly designed to arm the state agains: tactory occupations. student silens Mass Action It is clear that the deepening economic crisis will accelerate this attack upor democratic rights. ine prececent nas already been set in the inability of the • movemeni to date to tight th violation of the basic rights of minorities. such as the Irish or black communities, failing to grasp the implications for all workers contained within such an The most effective way to offset any turiner attacks is to begin now to sir -93 against those violations that exist.
such as tnat wr..c CRIA* is attempting to build, up concrete examples of such viole: ="=.
demanding tha: " _abour leaders tignt to repea acts infringing basic rights, best way or Dealine back ne di the present government.