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| 23rd November 1994
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Issue 1 See it as it originally appeared - Download the PDF file - 360kbStory
Links: Criminal Injustice Act Crackdown startsDespite Home Secretary Michael Howard's claim that there are "exaggerated fears" about the effects of the Criminal Justice Act, those affected in the first week of it going into the stature books might feel differently. In particular Hunt Saboteurs have been targeted by the "aggravated trespass" clauses... 18 have so far been arrested and charged under this clause including one who got his nose broken by hunt supporters. Unsurprisingly. his attackers were not charged. One Hunt Sabber told how he and some friends - being pursued by police decided to seek refuge in a tree. Despite it being Bonfire Night it seemed the Fire Brigade had nothing better to do than fetch them out of the tree. Under 'aggravated trespass' they face a £2,500 fine or 3 months in prison. It seems some police forces are more reluctant to use the Act. In one area 23 Hunt Sabbers were charged under Breach of the Peace, only a minor caution. And so far no-one from the newly formed but very active Justice? Hunt Sabs group have been apprehended. In just 3 days the group raised enough mosey in street collections to buy a vehicle, which is also being used to help the main Justice? group get to actions round the country - ask Michael Howard! In Worcestershire and Lancashire travellers have been moved on under the 'trespass and unauthorised campers' clauses, and in Preston and Glasgow road protesters have been nicked, again under the catch all 'aggravated trespass'. Note: this clause doe not apply indoors - so let's go to the offices of executive types who make the decisions! I'm sure Tarmac et al would appreciate the protesting moving into their head offices! Lastly at least one football supporter was threatened under clause 166. This states that it is illegal to sell a match ticket even at face value. Whilst this is aimed at touts, the supporter in question had a spare as his friend was ill!
Nutters!Local Shoreham Conservative MP, Michael Stevens, who caused outrage by calling for a ban on all urban demonstrations would be pleased with the Met Police who tried to persuade CND to call off a recent demo in London. Apparently Scotland Yard had inside intelligence that German rioters were planning to come and cause a disturbance. Despite 5000 marching peacefully, snatch squads were sent in to arrest people for having a black flag, wearing a balaclava and. for being German! Protesters who scaled the roofs of Westminster encouraging us to defy the Criminal Injustice Act are being charged with criminal damage. Apparently at the police station one was shown a gargoyles head, which was dislodged in the scramble to the top, and asked:"Do you recognise this gargoyle, Sir?" from Squall Autumn '94 One of the promises made by Michael Howard to mollify opposition to the CJB clauses removing the rights to silence, was a commitment to establish a national organisation responsible for investigating miscarriages of justice. However, while parliament was in its summer recess, Howard announced he was to delay the setting up of such a body until the matter had been "looked into more thoroughly". Now, if you were to write to Michael Howard, voicing concern over his calculated rethink, you may well receive a reply from his secretary saying that Mr Howard has taken note of your comments. However, one letter voicing concern over a wrongful imprisonment recently received a full reply from Michael Howard himself. And what moved Howard enough to write such a personalised response? The jailing of a character in the radio soap opera 'The Archers' that's what. Howard, described as "an avid fan" of The Archers was contacted by a rather sad spokesperson of 'The National Campaign to Save the Ambridge One'. "I entirely agree with your view that imprisonment was an entirely inappropriate sentence for Susan," dribbled Howard in his answering letter. "I have even less influence on the fictional judge in The Archers than I have on the real judges who sit in our courts every day, so you will understand that there is no action which I can take in this case. I speak as someone who acted as a part-time judge before I became a government minister and I can assure you that, had her case come before me, I would certainly not have sent her to prison. Although the offence she committed was serious, she pleaded guilty, was of exemplary character and her children are clearly dependent on her. In my view....etc." But whilst Michael Howard may consider he has little influence over the events in The Archers, it is quito evident that the same is not true of The Archers influence over him. Take his speech to the Tory Party conference last year introducing the 27 point law and order package that manifested itself as the Criminal Justice Bill. "There is a tidal wave of concern about crime in this country. I am not going to ignore it, explain it away or just meet it with a string of words. I am going to take action. Tough action. How many times have I heard people say let's bring back the village bobby. Well that is exactly what I am going to do. The countryside must be made safer. We have already announced tough proposals to deal with New Age Travellers and Raves. These people have even made it onto the Archers. "Well I've got some good news for Ambridge. When our new laws are in place, Eddie Grundy won't need to spray manure on his fields to "get rid of them." As satire becomes reality, politics assumes the status of a soap opera with Howard in position as one of its principal actors. More than 250 protesters put the Goveminent on trial in Michael Howard's front garden on Sunday 20th November. Campaigning against the Criminal Injustice Act (CJA) and to raise awareness of its effects on the fundamental rights to silence, to protest, to party and the freedom of association. The verdict was Extremely Guilty Indeed. The Police made no arrests. Justice? TV This Thursday (24th November) watch The Courtbouse Evictions - as see from the rooftops. 10:25pm BBC2 Bruce Kent (CND): "I want to see a different kind of Criminal Justice Bill in which people who own 2 or 3 homes and leave them empty are fined or imprisoned. Justice? meet every Wednesday at the Prince Albert, Trafalgar Street, 7pm
Any SchNEWS articles, info etc to the Peace Centre please. SchNEWS live is broadcast at 5:45pm @ Prince George, Trafalgar St every Friday SchCREDITS (postal address) c/o Justice? Prior House, 6 Tilbury Place, Brighton, BN2 2GY
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