Detend Leicester anti-fascists
Socialist Press1979 1979-07-18Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 5 →
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The Leicester April 21 Defence Committee has called a demonstration on July 21 under the slogans "Drop the Charges-Disband the SPG"
Meanwhile the stream heavy fines imposed by Leicester Magistrates Court has continued and a third anti-racist has joined Bill Hemmings and Yorkshire miner Martin Hughes in prison.
The Defence Committee is distributing a leaflet spelling out the implications of these sentences, not just for anti-racists,but for the labour movement " as a whole.
Paramilitary
The police and the SPG, backed up by the courts, are increasingly no more than a paramilitary force used for smashing strikes and breaking up labour movement demonstrations.
That is why the SPG was used 750 times at industrial disputes last year. i That is why their snatch squads were out in force at the Grunwick mass pickets.
However, the campaign against the charges and ior the disbanding of the SPG needs a clear principled perspective if it is to be carried forward from the Leicester demonstration. As the attacks of this Tory government over wages, jobs, public sector cuts and anti union legislation hit home, they will constantly brng the working class into conflict with the "forces of law and order"
The labour movement, whether at Leicester , at Grunwicks, on the picket line or in occupying a Labour MP Joan Lestor failed last week to get a warrant for the arrest of imperialist stooge Bishop Abel Muzorewa. factory to defend jobs, must reject the rule of Tory class justice and its apparatus of courts and uniformed police thugs.
W'e must organise defence of our meetings and picket lines from attack whether by fascists or the Concrete assistance The workers movement must also be prepared to ofer concrete practical assistance to members of the black community who need to defend themselves against fascist attacks and police harassment.
We must demand a workers' inquiry into the death of Blair Peach, murdered Southall by SPG thugs. off anti-fascist April Local left' MP Jim Marshall is expected to address the Leicester rally after the demonstration and it is hoped that a delegate from Yorkshire NUM will attend.
A huge turn out is necessary if they are to be pressed into taking the fight for these demands into the labour movement.
MOBILISE FOR LEICESTER VICTORIA PARI 1.00 p.m.
Saturday July