Workers Socialist League

Socialist Press, Trotskyism Today and the Trotskyist International Liaison Committee, 1975–1984

Brixton-picket Scarman cover-up!

Socialist Press no. 250, 11 June 1981 · scan p. 5 · about 514 words

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• On June 15 Lord lustice Scarman lescending on Brixton to tart the Tories' inquiry nto the events of April Il and 12.

Scarman's task will not re to expose the thuggery ind racism of the Metroolitan police. Nor will he be ayestıgatıng youth unemHoyment in the area, or the ful housing conditions hat a high proportion of Irixton peopie have to odure.

In fact carman is not at • interested in why riots aook Brixton over that ekend. His inquiry was set P by the Tories for their lun purposes: to whitewash ae role of the police and to look for more efficient means of controlling and policing multi-racial poor areas such as Brixton.

Anyone who was on the streets at the time of the uprising and gives evidence about the brutality of the police is bound to be harassed and persecuted afterwards, in spite of Scarman's guarantee of "immunity from prosecution"

So far about 400 people have been arrested on charges arising from the riot -many of these as a result of the countless house raids that have taken place in the area since April 12.

Houses have been smashed open, and pe rsonal possessions seized o 7 the pretext of looking for looters.

None of the black or gay organisations in Brixton are likely to give evidence to Scarman. The people who suffer from the worst police repression can see through such cover-ups.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the white dominated Labour Parties: Lambeth council Labour Group has already agreed to submit evidence and is supported in this by the two Labour Parties that cover the ared.

Boycott

The Trades Council, however, has agreed lo bo ycott the inquiry, despite the TUC s decision to pi articipate.

In man inquiry, a picket has been organised to protest at its arrival and point to the real purpose behind it.

In order to make the protest as effective and big as possible a united leaflet has been written by 13 left wing groups and gay organisations.

The leaflet calls for all charges arising from the riot to be • dropped and for a complete boycott of the Scarman cover-up It is hoped that some of the black organisations would also sign the leaflet and support the picket.

PICKET SCARMAN

June 15.10 a.m. ambeth Town Halt Briston One black youth now faces two charges of carrying offensive weapons and two of assaulting police. A white man faces charges of actual bodily harm, threatening behayiour and carrying an offensive weapon.

The real offensive weapons were found after the fascists had fled. Placards with the police.

A march only took place When a growing mutiny in the ranks threatened to march with or without permission.

These tactics meant that the main body of the demonstration never came a landlord would not now be counting the cost of putting his pub back together and most important of all there need have been no arrests.

If the British Movement return they will need to be met by better organised and better led forces.

← Contents of Socialist Press no. 250, 11 June 1981