Home | 14th December 1994 | Issue 4

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Justice? Brighton's Campaign in Defiance of the Criminal Injustice Act

Stormy weather: (sponsored by the Criminal Injustice Act)

Police appear to be waiting (or the first wave of court cases to go through at the end of this week before further Hunt Sab arrests (72 so far). There is evidence that Clause 100, which gives police new powers to set bail conditions, is being used before is comes into force next month. Two arrested in Kent were remanded in custody - a first. Meanwhile the sabs continue. Kate from Justice?: "The distinguishing feature separating this season from last is the huge police presence. Convoys of riot vans speed through the countryside in an over-zealous attempt to 'nab the subs' first. Not only do we have to concentrate on the hunted animal, the hounds, the hunters and their out-of-control whips and the sab-bashing terrier men, we now have to wrangle with the law. As last week's sab proved, "public rights of way" are anything but that. Police cordoned off the road and refused to allow anyone through. The 1986 Public Order Act didn't work. Neither will the CJA. Banning compassion will not end compassion. Tally-ho. Ha ha ha!" (nb a landowner nr Petworth. West Sussex, accused huntsmen who piled through her private land of worrying her horses and sheep. Surprise, surprise they were not arrested for aggravated trespass.)

Hotspots: Essex, Kent and Northampton:

Outlook: Black clouds gathering but there should be some spots of sun (ancient bye-laws makes the New Forest prime sabbing ground).

Eleven travellers arrested so far but details are sketchy. Police are indiscriminately using the threat of the CJA to move the problem somewhere else. Sixty travellers evicted from private land in Collumpton, Devon, were preparing to leave when the police turned up with dogs, riot vans and mobile prison cells. "People were terrified, men were crying," reported Steve Staines from Friends and Families of Travellers. The convoy, including a 14 day old baby were escorted to Taunton Services and kept there overnight after police refused to let them stop at a quarry in Somerset. Liaison with the police and council eventually provided a site in Podirnore. "Just what was the police intention?" asks Steve. In Brighton two travellers suffered a vicious attack on the Old Steine. One of the men was hit repeatedly by a metal ball on a chain.

Hotspots: Inverness, Devon, Hampshire, Avon & Somerset. Outlook: Heavy turbulence (Section 62, giving police powers to seize vehicles, comes into effect in Spring.)

In Tuesday's Budget around 10% was cut from roads spending in earth of the next two years unfortunately public transport was cut as well.... £1 million earmarked for extra security to combat direct action for a future roads project is being challenged as a misuse of public funds....And we received this kind invitation from Wimpey Construction:

'Join us as we boogey in the bored-room, pep up our PR, dally with the database and relax with the fax. As you are probably aware, we have succeeded in winning a very lucrative (£79 million) contract to build the new M77 through Pollok Estate in Glasgow. Whinging environmentalists say the road will contravene European laws, destroying acres of woodland, fields and riverside habitat and increasing traffic congestion and pollution. We say: "Bolloks to Pollok! . We need this road for (our) economic growth and you can't stop progress, eh?" We would like to celebrate our success by inviting you, along with hundreds of others, to our head office in Hammersmith, London, on Dec 15th. Come and explore our labyrinthine corridors, rifle through our filing cabinets and meet the managing director direct. Our friendly staff are always available to offer assistance should you have any queries.' (Call the office for a lift. 691659)

Hotspots: Newbury, Exeter, Pollok, Blackburn. Outlook: Thursday - bright and cheery!

MP: Sex Is Illegal!

Shoreham MP Micheal Stevens who wants to ban all demonstrations has defined this further for us by stating that a demonstration is "any gathering of two or more people" which would seem to cover any form of human interaction (including sex)! These should be prevented by the police from occurring before they started. The solution would seem to be solitary confinement for every person in the country. When questioned as to how he can defend the CJA when it contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights he said that "there are no such thing as absolute rights. Everything the police does abuses our human rights". How unusual it is to find such a clear appreciation of the role of the police in our society from a member of the government.

Conservative round-up (wind-up):

Egg on the face and jacket at Micheal Portillo's party at Alexandra Palace last week. After the pub there was further direct action with one Rolls Royce being so badly damaged that the owners had to wait two hours for the AA.-... It looked like being a good day in Bristol when over 60 people packed a public meeting on law and order. A senior magistrate explained that magistrates were not professional people and could not be expected to know anything about law and order After an intensive question and answer session (read 'pisstake') Chief Inspector Arrowsmith had his head in his hands when he realised two-thirds of the audience were from CJA groups .... We called on Michael Howard MP again but instead of trekking to Folkstone this time we called his house (071 35 35 835) but we still can't seem to get him in. Apparently 4am is a good time to catch him ..... and John Major declined an invitation to meet 500 ramblers who turned up at his country retreat Chequers on Sunday. Listeners to London News Radio thought the revolution had come, however. Someone pressed the wrong button and after the briefest introductory line about the demonstration it was straight over to the reporter on the spot (reports the Guardian). "It's a huge amount of armed vehicles," said the urgent crackly voice, "considering the target they want to seize." Cut. Silence. Did someone mistake "Chequers" for "Chechnya" or is someone on the inside?! Brilliant.

CJA an 'abuse of justice'

A senior magistrate resigned yesterday after 15 years on the bench, accusing the Government of using the courts in an oppressive way to further its political objectives. John Talbot, a Leicestershire magistrate, told the Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay, in his resignation letter:

"Changes in the law and administration of justice have led me to believe that my contribution is being abused."

He said that the changes "contributed towards a system that is oppressive towards those who come before the courts, partial in the way different people are treated, and used selectively against sections of society that do not fit in with the aims of your political party." Mr Talbot, 49, said legislation discriminated against groups such as trade unions, travellers and protestors, single mothers and ethnic minorities."

Job - Seekers Allowance Regime leaked paper

According to a leaked briefing paper for the legislation due in 1996 if you break "official instructions" (Jobseekers' Directive), such as refusing work without good cause or even not getting your hair cut, you will be barred from the social security system for six months.

Sanctions will apply to all people who do not meet "labour market conditions". Exceptions will be people who have children, are caring for the elderly or the disabled, pregnant or living with pregnant partners, or who are sick or disabled. These will only face 40% cuts in benefit, leaving some living on £22 a week. Only one more step to the work camps...

CJA community centre 18 arrests

One demonstrator had his head bashed repeatedly against a wall and 18 people arrested after an ugly display of police brutality in Edinburgh when they attempted the eviction of CJA supporters at the Unemployed Workers Centre.

The centre had been occupied for nine months after funding was pulled when the Labour Council decided it was unhappy at the centre being used as a base for campaigners. After removing the occupants, council workers tried three times to board up the building but were turned back. Eventually 70 police smashed the blockade and made the arrests for public order offences. The building is now up for sale. Rumour has it that it will be converted into yuppie flats. Demonstrations have been planned across Edinburgh.

A Visit To McDonalds makes your day!

McDonalds, the caring, sharing, healthy, environmentally friendly and fun place to eat has become the latest hangout for the McSabs. "We went behind the scenes (and the counter) to see whether there was any substance to the claim that their food has nutritional value. We found that their leaflets contained too many additives i.e. artificially manufactured and manipulated facts, and so left helpful details for customers and staff about the destruction of the world's rainforests, low wages of workers and the barbaric murder of animals. McOId Bill turned up and so, full of energy (as we hadn't been eating at McDonalds) - we moved along to other favourite fast food outlets, waving at the CCTV cameras that appeared to be very interested in our movements. McBill had arrived in advance to lock up the Western Rd branch so we occupied an establishment that would welcome us - the pub ..but not before we spotted a lone police car and attempted to levitate it with a circle of chanting and dancing. Or was that after the pub?

stop press... travellers in Galbridge, nr Edinburgh, have been given two weeks notice to leave despite none of their vehicles being roadworthy and the prospect of having their children taken into care for Christmas... first arrests for aggravated trespass in Yorkshire - two tree-sitters nicked for opposing supermarket extension... update on racist attacks in Whitehawk - an ANL member received a call from Nazi group Combat 18 saying "we are Brighton C-18; we fired the bastard Asian's house". This comes in the morning of an advertised public meeting opposing the firebombings. DC Savage said the police would be vigilant.

all articles, info etc to either peace centre, cheers!

postal address: c/o Justice?, prior house, 6 tilbury place, brighton, bn2 2gy. tel: 0273 691659

SchNEWS, PO Box 2600, Brighton, BN2 0EF, England
Phone: +44 (0)1273 685913
email: schnews@brighton.co.uk

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