into the police brutality. But it is unlikely that the inqulry will look at the real facts behind the law order' merchants who have trodden on the rights of trade unionists at Grunwicks as viciously as they have stamped on the pickets themselves. Who is responsible?
In the front line are the police who operate from Harlesden station, the main body of police on anti-picket duty. In the last few years particular police force established a reputation racism and thuggery in Brent area where they operate. For instance on 24 June last year six young women arrested and later beaten up by the Harlesden mob. One of the women Yew and order guard.
was knocked unconscious, another received swollen lips and hruising on her chest and back. A third was and treated for a swollen jaw, and bruising on her abdomen and back.
According to the women their arrest was accompanied with such racist abuse as 'black whore" and "black bitch'.
Despite Iwo independent astnesses who confirmed that it was the police who started the trouble the women were still found guilty of "assaull'. that has FOUND GUILTY for the Police officer PC Taylor explainLed one woman's injuries by saying that she had 'collided" with him. That the women were found guilty is not surprising considering the nature of the Brent judiciary Glasoow police allack anti-lascists in May 1976, shorty After McNeo -now Commissioner for the Matropolitan Police - took over the Glasgow Earlier this year anotber of the local magistrates convictions of black people for assault on police was quashed an appeal.
Urian Smith and Wayne Philips had been convicted after they and a community relations officer had heen beaten up in a police yan -again by Harlesden mab, Smith had been told by one policeman to 'get your head down you bluck sooty'.
This time the frame-up didn't work and Smith and Phillips are now sueing the police for assault. The incident made Brent's senior community relations officer sever all formal links with the Harlesden police.
As one Grunwick picket quipped last Wednesday seeing the long line police oulside • Black kids can walk the streets of Norh London in safety today:
Accompanying the pobice on their anti-picket duty are the Willesden Green force. They too have a history of racism and thuggery stretching back ten years They also have much more forma links with the Grunwick manage ment as Willesden's former Chief Inspector now works for Granwick on their "security staff"':
POLICE The Special Patrol Group made their appearatoe last week record of this wing of the Metro politan police includes the police riot in protection of the Nationa Front in Red Lion Square three ears ago which resulted in th leath of student Kevin Carel Siting on top of this pile in the new Commissioner for the Metropolites Police, David MeNee STe Rober Matt. associales with Grunwick managesonal Association for Freedom. He Assurance, Harlesden person of NAFF.
COMPETITION then The The other brand of WAS shown Glasgow MeNse recently took over from Mark now the Nat gress sale alterwards sits on the board of Pboenix LILICEMET they just Lord De L'Esle is also the chairСОЦА MeNce has established similar close ties with the ruling clas When he was head of Glasgow police he advised all his officers to ake courses with the British Tistitute of Manaeement — Indeed a couple of years ago three of his officers shared first prize in a BIM compelition for young businessside of McNee's "law and order' May 1975 shortly after he became head of police police Moted outside the city's Kingston Hall in defence of the National Frost meeting being held there. order' They attacked a peaceful picke of anti-fascists and arrested scores including David Bolton, vice prest dent of the Scottish miners Rod Jimmy Milne, general secretary of the Scottish Trade Union Con"This was Gestupo-style tacties...
maura 1a grabhing und kicking anyone they But MeNce is not at the very top of the ladder, His appointmen was caiber a surprise and it emerged later that Prime Ministe Callaghan insisted that he got the And it is with Cullughan and the Lahour Government, where, wit mately, the "buck' rests for the police violence at Grunwicks.
A low words from Callaghan or Rees could stop the attacks, or better still remove the police from the picker altogether. They refuse entering Grunwick factory for their ten break will continue. fitting symbol of the happy family the Grunwick toRbapement and the force of law and order make un A lamily which on the law and side streiches from the Jowest racist in Harlesden station through the National Front protector MeNee, to the ex-adviser of the Police Foderation, Jaibes CalA Spacial Braech spent wh dren out. Roy Grantham c ONLYAFOOL, OI Home Secretary C strikers have bent o these last 44 weeks The union agree " negotiate' last we the anti-union Joh for talks with the De to limit the numbe nette class pre time to find w wick strike sach case 1n: Che 200 Wes of the Chapter R Rood factories of Processin On.
sicike was discler unioni
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THE POLICE VIOLENCE at the Grunwick picket line has sent a massive shock wave through the trade union movement. The arbitrary arrests, the beatings, the kicking, the hair pulling, have brought angry protests from lawyers, trade union officials and pickets. Home Secretary Merlyn Rees has even promised an inquiry
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