Part 8 - DW062 001 026 008

1 digital image

8 AGAINST RACISM! In a press statement, the Black Community Bookshops have defiantly and courageously stated that they will not be intimidated by the many atta- cks on them, ranging from the painting of vile slogans to cowardly petrol bomb attacks and tele phone calls. These attacks have been mounting over the past year, and have occurred in several Black bookshops in London and also in Leeds, Bradford, Newcastle and Nottingham. Despite the systematic na- ture of these attacks and (Cont. from Page 1) breeding technique had been perfected by pig- farmers in response to the high cost of police recruitment. When we were at our strongest, between 8 p.m.- 9 p.m., we numbered over 1,000. There were over 2,000 police to counter us. To occupy our minds, some of us played "spot- the-Special-Branch." The largest contingent were on the top floor of a mod- ern office block, yards away from the main force of anti-fascists. They took photos of different sections of the demo at intervals of about one photograph every forty seconds. Two "S.B.s" were in a room directly above a ba- nk and opposite their col- leagues in the office block. One was occasional- ly surveying the scene with a pair of binoculars. We spotted another obvious "S.B" above a television hire shop in a flat once again, yards away from the demo. Had we had a camera on us at the time, the resulting photographs could have been embarass- ing for certain sections of the State. LOCAL CYNICISM The following mornings press reported scores of houses and shops bearded up for fear of riots. This was a lie. Yards away from the first signs of violence (which con- sisted of police violene ce) a pub was open. Many of us used this pub -which was not bearded up - either for a quite pint or for natural pur- poses (because it was ve- ry cold - even the ther- mometers were shivering). associated National Front and National Party propaganda, the police have made no arrests. This is a serious matter which the police and the Home Secre- tary are obviously ignoring. The statement deplores the total indifference of the authorities to these racist attacks. The New Beacon Bookshop poi- nts out that "either the state in Britain defends us from the fascists or we defend oursel- ves by any means necessary." The CWM will not hesitate to contribute to that defence in every way it can. These at- tacks are part of the offens- ive against Black people in this country which is attem- pting to divide the working class on racial lines. No way will Merlyn Rees act to stamp out racism - a united revolutionary force does not suit him. He has a long his- tory of counter-revolution when Secretary for Northern Ireland. The Black people in this country have been pushed around This new paper, NEW AGE, is a paper of and for the working people of Britain. Its success depends on you, the reader. We hope you will write for us: your views on our society, on the world situation, your own experiences. We want articles, information, letters, and particularly comments and criticisms. Please send all contributions to: NEW AGE October Books 4b Temple Court Liverpool NEW AGE is published by the COMMUNIST WORKERS' MOVEMENT (C.W.M.), which has been formed with the intention of uniting working people and revolutionaries, and uniting with other Marxist- Leninist organisations, in order to build a revolutionary Party of the working class. We aim to apply Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung to concrete conditions here. Our Programme, a general expression of our views, is available from the above address at 15p post paid. Copies of NEW AGE 20p post paid. Reductions for bulk orders and discount for shops. please write for details. Many of the locals in the pub were cynical at the amount of police pre- sent. Quite a few ap- proached us with sad sen- timents about their next rates demand and angry feelings at the need for a handful of fascists to be protected by over 2,000 police. Only a few months ago, the massive police escort for Webster - the N.F. publicity boy - took place here despite massive local objection. Returning to the demo, there were certain en- couraging aspects. The anti-fascists present varied from Trotskyites to Young Tories, there were Anarchists, Young Liberals and Gay Libbers, clergymen, trade union- ists etc.. The wide range of anti-nazis can only be a good develop- ment. It can only be hoped that the range can be widened and strength- ened. At around 8pm, the violence began. About fifty demonstrators had gathered by the car park, to one side of the Town Hall. This was a stra- tegic position and the Special Patrol Group well knew this. The SPG are familiar to many as the "commando" of the po- lice force Before the actions of the SPG all had been quiet - we were faced with a single line of police constables. for a long time, but now they are standing up and resistance to racism is growing. Imperi- alist Britain still has a heavy residue of racism among all classes. Racism must not be allowed to take hold on the working class. It only serves the interests of the monopoly capitalists. It is in the interests of all working people to fight in defence of the democratic rights of national minorities in Britain. GIRL ATTACKED The SPG started push- ing their own colleagues in order to provoke anti- fascists. A few consta- bles were annoyed at the action of the SPG, but others acted in a more typical fashion. One kicked a girl who had fallen to the ground - she had not provoked any police officer. A fellow demonstrator was arrest- ed for objecting to the disgusting conduct of the police. At around 8.20pm, the reason for the action became obvious. The path was now well clear for the coaches containing the nazis. There was now no way that we could prevent the coaches from passing. One encourag- ing sign was seen, how- ever, when several signal flashes and smoke bombs were thrown at the N.F. coaches. The fact that no arrests were possible for this action should make the nazis feel a little less secure des- pite their massive poli- ce protection. By 9pm, the demo split up as there was little more that we could do. There was time for a quick, well-earned pint before departing on our coach -another pub was open a few yards down the road in a side street. It was not boarded up, we were courteously served and no signs of fear were evident in any of the lo- cals' eyes. Quite the reverse was reported in the following days' media. In fact, as this report shows there is no need to fear the National Front. The more anti-fascists come forward and resist them the stronger we will be.

full_reference_code