BLACK PEOPLE in London have declared Saturday a day of mourning and a day of defiance.
It will be a day of mourning for the funeral of Michael Ferreira, murdered by white racists on 10 December.
It will also be a day defiance as black people march through Hackney to Newington police show that they will not bow to racist violence and are joining together to act in their own defence.
The demonstration has been organised by a coalition black and anti-racist organisations, in particular the Hackney *Racism — What it is and how to fight it' CRAWLEY Socialist Challenge public meeting Speakers-include: Tariq Ali; Dave Ward (pres., Trades Council - personal capacity); Omar Vawda (Community Relations Officer personal capacity; Patrick Newman (Labour parliamentary candidate); CP representaMonday 22 January, 8pm, AUEW Hall, Robinson Road, Crawley. and Tower Hamlets Defence Committee East Hackney this People's Defence tion.
Michael's death was the fourth known racist murder in East London in eight months. The conclusion being drawn by black people in Hackney is spelt of out in the leaflet calling for the march: "The black people must Stoke be in the forefront of their own defence.' The labour movement as a whole has the responsibility to show its support and solidarity by Assemble nase thems Assemble 9.30am Rushmore Road, London ES. There will be no banners or placards carried, and no papers or literature are to be sold.
BLACK people are also finding unemscives vicums or tne courts because they dare to defend themselves. One such case is that of the four Virk brothers.
They have been given jail terms ranging from seven years to three months following an affray in which they defended themselves against an attack by five white youths.
At a conference of Asian, West Indian and anti-racist organisations in Newham last weekend it was decided to organise outside the court when one of newly Black Organisaover death of Michael Ferreira. the brother's appeals is heard. This is perhaps glaring example of situations where black people who defend themselves find ones in the dock. certainly not the only one.
After a similar incident of white racist Wolverhampton, youths recently selves facing charges of making an affray, wcaDoll. and theft offences.
Although the admitted that attacked plainly for no other reason than the colour of their skins", Harvinder found himself in Borstal and two of the others received £75 fines.
Their position was perhaps demonstration made easier by the work of the Wolverhampton Black people's protest meeting in Ridley Road market, Hackney, the they are the But it is labour movement.
four Asian found themharassment possessing an motoring prosecution committee.
they were Bhogal and police harassment.
Anti-Racist stamps at a steady rate The weekly loose stamps.
BOOST raised in an appeal to our the Mandel column this week shows.
an coming two weeks G Price Anon M Davis USA American Steve Vieux USA A Cullen P Davenport Norman Geras Stamp money Yves Thebault D Rice and if he Ed Mahood by the The Red Drinker Anon Anon TOTAL Cumulative total this quarter single black arrested.
Committee. Apart from paying the fines and protesting the imprisonment, the committee has campaigned to make the issue of racist violence and police harassment against black people an issue within the Last February an independent labour movement enquiry into racist attacks and police was held in Wolverhampton, and a full report detailing incidents was submitted by the anti-racist Now it is the turn of a white committee's treasurer Dave Stevens, to be in the dock. He was arrested last March on a demonstration called by the committee to protest against racist attacks The march was attacked by a You are still sending in - In fact recently we have not been able to keep up with processing them. We still have a couple of albums to sort out, as well as Keep sending them in as they do provide a regular boost to the fund drive, as the £15 in the And above all send in those emergency donations so that we can meet our debts over the £2.00 5.00 8.50 2.50 and Dave was arrested in the scuffle. Several were then Three of the latter's cases have since come up in court.
* Michael Rowbottom was acquitted of police assault when no evidence was brought in court, though he was fined ESO for breach of the peace.
*Wesley Thompson received a conditional discharge for breach of the peace.
* David Hines, facing a • drop the charges. Demonstrate charge of malicious wounding of a policeman, clearly had black little faith in getting justice in the court and failed to turn up.
Now Dave Stevens, facing c/o three charges of assault on policemen and one of actual | London E15.
BLOODY SUNDAY COMMEMORATION Demonstration MIKE FARRELL, IRANIAN TROTSKYIST, TARIG ALI bodily harm, is expected to come up at Stafford Crown Court betweer anc February.
As with the other cases, the defence campaign organised by anti-racist committee is calling for a mass lobby outside the court on the first day of the Already N.S. Noor, Presi dent of the Wolverhampton Indian Workers Association, has pledged to ask his executive mobilise a coach for the picket, and circulate statement to all black and Asian organisations to support These are just examples of what is going on. Clearly both the black movement, and the anti-racist movement as whole, must resolve in mourning Michael Ferreira to defend from the police and courts all those who stand out against racist violence.
Drop the charges against Dave Stevens. Picket the first day of the hearings at Stafford Crown Court. Details from Wolverhampton Defence CamGc/o Wolverhampton Poly Students Union. * Release the Virk brothers, victimisation of people who defend themselves. Full details from Newham Defence Committee Box 4550, Stratford Stratford Broadway, FOR THE SOCIALIST REVOLUTION
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28 January LONDON - organised by Provisional Sinn Fein WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!