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WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S YER 'ON THE PISTE' (YET AGAIN)...
Issue 209, Friday 23rd April 1999
BALACLAVA BOVVER
Just when you thought that there weren't enough nasty laws to keep us in our places, along comes The New Crime and Disorder Act, which came into effect this month. Democracy is now surely safe with this new law which amongst other things, makes wearing masks on demonstations illegal, and creates new Anti-Social Behaviour orders to deal with bad people. Here is your survival guide to the new powers the forces of darkness now posess.MASKING UP ILLEGAL
Sections 25-7 of the new act dictate that a Police Officer of inspector rank or above can order you to de-mask on a demo if s/he fears "serious violence or disorder in his/her area". They also have the power to confiscate and destroy materials used to mask up with- so don't take your brand new tops. Failure to de-mask can land you in the nick for up to a month.On a hunt sab in Dorset last month, the cops declared the whole county an area of potential serious disorder in order to force sabs to de-mask. Amongst items confiscated were hooded tops and a copy of the local paper that one shy sab was using to preserve his modesty! But fear not, when quizzed by SchNEWS our friendly Dorset cops informed us that they would only use the legislation where appropriate, and if it was a cold December morning on a peaceful demo then you could wear your scarves in safety. Well that's alright then.
Thames Valley Police used the act at last weekends anti-vivisection demonstration at Hillgrove Farm. The police went back on a previous agreement not to perform searches on the day, forcing 41 people to unmask and nicking one man who refused to do so. Some might say it's a wee bit unfair, since cops often have their faces covered on demos, and seem to mysteriously lose their ID numbers. But of course, police don't need to conceal their identity, as they would never do anything wrong, would they?
Anti Social Behaviour Orders
Sections 1-4 of the Act cover the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO). When someone is suspected of anti-social behaviour, a senior police officer or local authority can apply to the courts for an ASBO which is done in a civil rather than criminal court, so they need less proof to get one. The hearing can also be held without the person affected by the ASBO being there to defend themselves. Once they get it, they can not only force the person to stop the "anti-social" behaviour, but can also get more wide-ranging restrictions on their actions, even if it's not directly relevant to the ASBO, such as curfews or exclusion orders. The order runs for at least 2 years, but can be extended for indefinite periods. Violation of an ASBO can land you with up to 5 years in the nick.These orders are being hailed as the way to deal with "neighbours from hell", but animal rights groups fear the new law will be used against them in the same way that the anti-stalking laws have . The definition of anti-social behavuiour is so wide-ranging that you can have an ASBO slapped on you if your behaviour causes "alarm or distress, or harassment to one or more people". Wouldn't it be spooky if protestors at Hillgrove or Shamrock started getting ASBOs issued against them?
Wider definition of terrorism
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, those nice guardians of our freedom in the Labour government have punlished their 'Legislation against Terrorism' Consultation Paper which will protect us all from international terrorism, with the use of even more draconian laws. The Paper suggests, amongst other things, that there is a "continuing need for counter-terrorist legislation for the foreseeable future." This is regardless of the threat of terrorism in Northern Ireland How odd then, that it was a Labour government that introduced the first Prevention of Terrorism Act in 1974, promising that it was only a temporary measure, brought in after the Birmingham pub bombings. Well apparently the "time has come to put that legislation onto a permanent footing" Whoops!This Consultation paper also proposes to widen the definition of terrorism as "the use of serious violence against persons or property, or the threat to use such violence to intimidate or coerce a government, the public, or any section of the public for political, religious or ideological ends." If it wasn't obvious enough, they intend to use this definition to include animal rights activities, and "indigenous groups prepared to engage in serious violence to further their cause (e.g. independence for a certain region, or environmental concerns)". So watch out all you Cornish nationalists and anti-open cast campaigners. Finally the paper proposes that the powers of stop and search and detention that exist in Northern Ireland should be extended to the rest of the UK. So a copper can arrest you to "prevent acts of terrorism" and hold you for up to 28 days without trial.
But before you all get too paranoid and give up direct action, and start to write dodgy anarcho news-sheets, they're only bringing in such laws, because they realise how effective direct action is. So bear in mind the London Animal Rights News editorial "Whilst we should monitor the situation, it in some way reflects the success our movement has had. It shows that animal abusers see us a force to be reckoned with."
THE REBEL ALLIANCE
Wednesday 28th April7 pm upstairs @ Hobgoblin Pub, London Rd
CRAP ARREST OF THE WEEK
With intent to have a cup of tea. A worker at Faslane Naval Base got talking to peace-camp demonstrators and decided to go back for a cup of tea with them. The MOD police threatened him with the sack if he went to the camp and when he persisted in his tea mission he was taken away by the (Tea)-Service Police!
Saturday May 1st |
PARTY
ON THE TUBE WITH RECLAIM THE STREETS ROBERT HAMILL RIP
"In Northern Ireland this case has the sort of impact for many that the Stephen Lawrence case has in London"- Jeremy Hardy
On 27th April 1997 Robert Hamill left a Catholic social club in Portadown after a family nightout.. A Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) landrover parked nearby had been warned that a group of loyalists were hanging around. Seeing the RUC presence and knowing that they had been alerted to possible trouble, Robert and his family made the fatal mistake of assuming that the police would keep the peace, and they could safely walk past the lurking Loyalists. The mob, of about thirty, knocked Robert down then gave the men a serious kicking. The women ran to a nearby RUC vehicle, begging for help. They received NO response, though the attack took place in full-view of the officers . The police said they feared for their safety even though they carry guns. No arrests were made, no crime scene declared. After twelve days in a coma, Robert finally died.
Roberts' family have been taunted ever since the attack by RUC vehicles beeping their horns, one time swerving close enough to hit a brother's ankle; also by Loyalists chanting " Where's Robbie Hamill", while miming holding someone by the hair and kicking and stamping on their head.
Of the six men who were eventually arrested, five were released without charge due to insufficient evidence. Although there were CCTV cameras overlooking the scene, the RUC claim nothing of any relevance was recorded. It took 10 days and 5 press statements for the police to come close to admitting the truth. Initially the RUC said "Police moved in to separate (two) groups…bottles were thrown… and the police themselves came under attack ", this bears little resemblance to the truth.
One man, Paul Hobson, 22, was recently acquitted of Roberts' murder but convicted of causing an affray, he could be back on the streets in less than six weeks! Roberts family, realising that no-one else is going to do anything about this, are collecting funds to pay for a private prosecution.
- Donations and messages of support to: Robert Hamill Justice Appeal Fund c/o 8 William Street, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, BT66 1JA.
- In a recent TV documentary 'Loyalists' reporters were told that thousands of documents containing detailed information on 'suspects' were passed onto Loyalist death squads by the RUC and British Army.
- Read 'The Committee: political assassinations in Northern Ireland' by Sean McPhilemy
- Since July 1998 Catholics living in Portadown, Northern Ireland have been living under a state of continuous siege, since the Orange Order were banned from marching through the Garvaghy Road. Residents are harassed daily by Orange Order demos and other violent acts. A support group in Britain has now been set up Friends of the Garvaghy Road, BM Box 5519, London, WC1N 3XX Tel 0181 442 8778 email fgr@brosna.demon.co.uk
- Demonstrations by the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee continue. Despite the Good Friday agreement they live in the most militarised area in Western Europe. Within an area under ten miles in radius there are 30 spy posts and five military bases with 3,000 troops assigned to the area. That's one for every eight people in South Armagh.
- A helicopter flying for just one hour costs the equivalent of a nurse's wages for 4 months. Official figures show that 30,000 flying hours were recorded last year in N. Ireland - enough to pay around 6,000 nurses.
- Good Friday Agreement discussion meeting 1pm Sat 8th May St.Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Rd., Bethnal Green, E2 Tel 0171 833 3022
SCHNEWS IN BRIEF
- The Big Issue is launching a campaign to end the Home Office's inhumane practice of issuing food vouchers to asylum seekers They're printing coupons over the next four weeks for you to send to Jack Straw. Support line-0171526 3305
- American news group Cable News Network (CNN) have agreed to show an Adbusters advert as part of "TV Turn-Off Week." ABC, CBS and NBC however, told Adbusters to get lost.International TV Turn Off Week runs from 22-28th April and is co-ordinated in the UK by White Dot, PO Box 2116, Hove, E.Sussex, BN3 3LR http://www.adbusters.org/
- Stop the War! Brighton and Hove campaign, meeting every Monday, 7.30 pm , Friends Meeting House, Ship St. Protest every Sat. 12 noon, Clocktower, Brighton. National Demo, London, 8th May, coaches will be organised
- Come to the opening of the new Unemployed Workers Centre. 1st May 1pm, 4 Crestway Parade, Hollingdean. Food, stalls, music etc.
- Whitehawk Hill Allotment Gardeners Association (WHAGA) are a co-op working a 1/2 acre of disused allotments at Whitehawk Hill. They want to expand to open up more derelict land for organic growing in a cooperative way and need to show they have support in the wider community. Ring Karl Heyman 292215 to put your name on the waiting list for Whitehawk Hill
- Newcastle Community Green Festival, FREE environmental event. May 1+ 2 Tel: 0191 232 1750
- A woman is due in court next month charged with writing 'don't bomb Iraq' on the dockyard walls at the Royal Naval Base in Portsmouth. As they point out "People in Iraq need our solidarity, not bombs and sanctions" so turn up outside the court hearing wearing black. Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, Thursday 6th & Friday 7th May 9.30am Contact Portsmouth Anarchist Network, Box A, 167 Fawcett Rd., Southsea, Hampshire, PO 4 ODH
- If you saw the TV programme Movement Against The Monarchy (MA'M) and you want to know more about those trouble making anti-royalist scum go to a MA'M meeting on May 2nd 2-5pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square,Tube, Central London
- Protesters camped along the route of the proposed Birmingham Northern Relief Road have sent us their new contact no. after their dog buried their mobile last week: 07931 161761
- Demonstrate against student fees in Huddersfield on Wednesday April 28 Meet 11am outside Students Union
- The National Front plans to march through Worcester this Saturday have been cancelled. Shame.
BLOODY TREES
A protest camp has now been set up at Cedars Wood after Manchester Airport PLC started felling trees. The airport authorities wanted to chop down the wood because those blasted trees will get in the way of the radar for the new runway. Permission was given by the owners, National Trust, who are, once again, breaking their own rules.The protesters are expecting eviction soon,despite the fact that the House of Lords have still to decide on the woods future. Contact 01226 764279 Site mobile: 07931 931850
RADIO 4 COMES TO BRIGHTON
Radio 4 comes to Brighton for the day. With A difference. Tune in to an the alternative womens hour, A rchers, gardeners question time, the shagging forecast, childrens programs, documentaries, with special guest appearances from comedian Mark Thomas, ex-Crass Penny Rimbaud, Jeremy 'Leveller' and Atilla the Stockbroker. And hourly news from SchNEWS.. Full program for Radio 4A in next weeks SchNEWS. 10 am Sun 2nd May 106.6FM http://www.indifference.demon.co.uk/radio4a/INSIDE SCHNEWS
In March, prisoner activist Kenny Carter was placed in solitary at Full Sutton gaol in the interests of 'Good Order and Discipline'. Although he had committed no offence, the guv decided that his presence on 'normal location' was "objectionable". He was segregated because of his campaiging for prisoner rights. Kenny spent years on the 'ghost-train', being constantly moved around until his arrival at Full Sutton in 1998 where he was segregated immediately . After 3 months he was allowed into an ordinary wing but remained a target for prison staff . Four months later, Kenny was back in segregation where he remains. It's important that he is supported by all who share his vision of a society free from brutal prison systems and dehumanised prisoners. Write letters of support to Kenny Carter ,AD3434, HMP Full Sutton, Moor Lane, York Y04 1PS. Letters of protest to the governor at the same address.- Benefit gig for Michal Patera, a member of the Czech anarcho-syndicalists, Sat 1st May @Arsenal Tavern, Blackstock Rd, 10 mins from Finsbury Park, with Steve Cope, the Doleclaimers and North London anarcho-syndicalist choir. 8pm 'till late £5/2.50 unwaged. Michal is currently facing 25 years hard labour after defending himself from attack by 5 neo-nazis. None of the attackers have been charged. Funny that! Over a third of Czech police are members of racist organisations.
WORKERS' MEMORIAL
April 28th is Workers Memorial Day, a day to remember workers around the world who have been killed, disabled or injured at work. The day not only highlights the preventable nature of the vast majority of workplace accidents and ill health, but promotes campaigns for safety at work. In the UK alone about 500 people are killed every year in work and road traffic accidents. An estimated 20,000 more die each year from work related illness.One of these deaths was Simon Jones, who one year ago went to work at Shoreham docks for Euromin Ltd. for the first and last time. Sent by a temping agency to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the country with no health and safety training. He was helping to unload a ship when the grab of a crane crushed his skull. He died instantly.
A year on and despite every legal channel being exhausted as well as a series of high-profile direct actions no-one has been prosecuted over his death. In Parliament George Galloway MP said Euromin manager James Martell's " contempt for the laws of health and safety in this country, his greed and hunger for profit, his negligence and carelessness, slaughtered this young man just as clearly as if he had pushed him off the dock with his own hands."
- Wed 28th April protest outside the Health and Safety Executive HQ, London (South side of Southwark Bridge) Transport leaves Brighton from St.Peters Church at 11 am £1/50p concession
AND FINALLY
Get yer laughing-gear round this one! Vegan Condoms are available to delight the discerning in their search for kosher kontraception. Comdomi's exciting new range of cruelty-free jonnies (best avoided by S&M freaks) have something to tickle everyone's fancy: 'Nature' for down-to-earth types, 'Flavoured' for the discerning palate... SchNEWS imagines a tasty tofu flavoured option... simply marinade in soy sauce for optimum results... 'Noppy' for the adventurous, and 'Hand-Painted Fun' for arty types. SchNEWS just hopes they taste better than your average vegan meal!! Contact Condomi 0171 277 6630DISCLAIMER
SchNEWS warns all readers not to be shy. Always be prepared to give up your clothing to friendly police officers, who only want to get to know your particulars better. You will then be cool. Honest.
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Last updated 7 May 1999
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