Benn backs fight to defend labour movement press

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The WRP's legal persecution of Socialist Organiser continues.

And now others have been drawn into the legal net too.

The WRP intimidated the printers which SO share with Socialist Press into censoring both papers. SO knew about it in time to arrange to have an article, The WRP: some facts behind the libel case, printed separately for later insertion into SO.

Socialist Press found out about it only when Morning Litho printers refused to print two pages (out of 10) which included a reprint of the SO editorial board statement of 21 March.

Later, the WRP got Socialist Press removed from the shelves of Colletts bookshop, Charing Cross Road (which is linked with the Communist Party), by threatening the proprietors with a writ because Socialist Press had included two SO leaflets on the libel case as inserts.

As a result of the threat, Colletts now say that they will only, sell Socialist Press if they have a guarantee that each issue is checked for libel by a lawyer. Such an hour's work for a lawyer costs about £60.

But everything is not going well for the WRP. The Leveller magazine reprinted one of the two allegedly libellous sentences from Socialist Organiser. The Observer last Sunday repeated the essential points and words of the same allegedly libellous paragraph.

Momentum

is the WRP going to prosecute them? It seems unlikely. More probably the WRP will dare use its money only against the revolutionary press.

Meanwhile SO's drive for political and financial support is gaining momentum. We got very widespread support at the National Union of Journalists conference. A lobby of SO and Socialist Press supporters outside the Equity conference met with a lot of sympathy from Equity left wingers, despite the strong influence of the WRP in that union.

Organisations

A number of labour movement organisations, including the BL Works Committee at Leyland, Lancashire, have promised or sent donations (though not enough unfortunately!) Many comrades of Socialist Organiser have sent donations too (again, not enough!)

Other left papers have promised support, but so far only Socialist Press, London Labour Briefing and the Leveller have done anthing. In three issues since its editor first agreed to carry our appeal Socialist Challenge has remained silent. It is not ent rely clear why.

As comrades will see a number of dersonalities prominent on the left have rallied to the support of Socialist Organiser, including Tony Benn.

If the legal case follows its natural course, it will-we are told -cost us about €12,000 just to "service' the various legal processes. We need money urgently. We need political support too.

Raise money for SO. Write to Socialist Challenge, Socialist Worker and Militant asking them to take a stand.

Defend the free labour movement press!

Signatories so far of the appeal 'A Labour Inquiry, not the Courts' include: Tony Benn MP, Reg Race MP, Ernie Roberts MP. Dennis Skinner MP.

Paul Moore, Neil Turner Matthew Warburton (Lambeth Labour councillors), Dick North. Vanessa Wiseman, Jackie North. Hilary Tart. John Esterson (victimised members of Lambeth NUT), John East (Acting President, Lambeth NUT): Wendy Hewing (vice-presi dent, Lambeth NUT), Chris Sutton (secretary, Lambeth Trades Union Council) Graham Norwood, Harry Stannard.

Sam Gordon (former secretary of the fourth International), Sam Bornstein, Al Richardson.

Mike Bower: Howard Hannah, Vincent Hanna, Aidan White, Denis McShane, John Jennings Simon Collings, Ron Knowles, Peter Melntyre, Eamon McCann, Steve Child. Carol Coulter, and in all 47 delegates at the NUJ annual delegate meeting.

38 members at the Equity annual general meet ing.

Victor Schonfield Vladimir Derer, Peter Willsman, Vera Derer (Campaign for Labour Party Democracy), Jon Lansman (secretary, Kank and File Mobilising Committee). Ray Apps (Brighton Kemptown CLP), Tony Banks (Tooting CLP), Ken Livingstone: (Greater London Council), Chris Mullin Vauxhal _CLP) Nigel Stanley, John Denham, Graham • Bash (Ilford South (LP), Pat Kane, Keith Veness (Islington Central CLP), Amanda Leon (Southwark NUT), Bernard Reagan (Westminster NUT) John Ford (Deptford CLP) and 62 others.

STILL AVAILABLE

WRP JUNKS THE OLD TROTSKYISM This 32 page pamphlet ises articles from the WRP° press over the last decade tr show how the WRP has abandoned its Trotskyist perspective in relation to petty bourgeois nationalist movements Price 60p including postage from WSL, BM Box 5277, London WC1N 3XX LABOUR MOVEMEN' PRESS DEFENCE FUND Send donations to Jonathan Hammond (Hon. Treasurer], c/o 214 Sickert Court, London N1 2SY. Cheques payable to 'Labour Movement Press Defence Fund'.

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Address:...

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sushisi IkEss, Ihursday 23 Aprl 1981 Evo end ye INDUSTRIAL NEWS Intyre Claims from both employers and the

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Appeal for funds