London Labour Briefing no. 118

in the light of the decision by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) that Detective Chief Superintendant Graham Meivin, the officer in charge of the investigation into the Broadwater Farm disturbances in 1985 — is to face disciplinary charges, the families of the men convicted at the killing of PC Blakelock in 1987 and the Defence Campaign wish to make the following statement.

ER CONDU

Community suppor for Broadwater.

were illiterate or had learning difficulties — were no less vulnerable to oppression than those juveniles. Why then are they now in prison?

Every single body which has looked into the police investigation — including Amnesty international and the PCA — has decided that there are serious dounts as to its legality. There is now no further excuse for the Home Secretary to delay reviewing these cases, in order to ensure that justice is done to all involved.

Since the investigation by the police into the disturbances here begun nearly four years ago, we and the whole community in Tottenham have known that police were operating a systematic policy of holding arrested persons — including juveniles — in incommunicado detention for the purposes of obtaining

PHOTO: Loosa Herbert

‘Sharon Raghip, common law wife of Engin Raghip, one ofthe “Tottenham Throo”

actions of individual police officers, but the entire investigation, and the tactics which were used to obtain confessions from all

suspects.

self-incriminating confessions.

Of the 42 cases brought after the disturbances which resulted in convictions, independant evidence was produced in only four. The role of confessional evidence obtained by Melvin and the officers under his command was therefore vital.

In particular, the cases against Mark Braithwaite, Engin Raghip, and Winston Silcott were based soley on this evidence.

The decision of the PCA to discipline Melvin himself is therefore doubly

ignificant. What is at stake are not the

LABOUR

The whole process, from arrest through to charge and trial, which resulted in the conviction of our loved ones and of many ‘other young men is now under a cloud.

We find it distressing that the cases against juvenile defendents were thrown out of court because the judge ruled that their confessions had been extracted under oppression; yet, at the same time, confessions which were obtained from adult, defendents under exactly the same circumstances were allowed to stand. Our loved ones — especially those who

Remember the innocent Picket Tottenham Police Station 6-8pm Friday October 6th Tottenham High Road Nearest tube, Seven Sisters, Victoria Line Public Meeting Police Attacks: Community Defence 7.30pm Thursday September 28 Tottenham Town Hall Tottenham High Road N15

Nearest tube, Seven Sisters, Victoria Line

Oke OWE

London Labour Briefing No. 118 Septomber 27th-October 10th Page 2

Islington Co-operative Party

sends Greetings to Conference

NUPE

Hackney Officers Branch

sends greetings to Conference

No cuts in Jobs and Services! Fight the Housing Bill! Labour Councils: Fight

CCT and keep our services public!

Remember the innocent

October 6th will be the fourth anniversary of the Broadwater Farm Uprising in 1985. A black woman died at the hands of the police as a result of an illegal raid on her home.

No action has ever been taken against the officer responsible for this outrage. He remains on the force today.

Inthe wake of the uprising that followed, hundreds were arrested and charged. Forty-Iwo were given prison sentences, including the “Tottenham Three”, framed for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on no evidence.

Four years on, very little has changed. The police have not yet learned to respect the rights and lives of black people.

Raids on black families in Tottenham are stil commonplace. Assaults and beatings on innecent members of the public such as the Seventh Day Adventists and the Parkinson family continue. Last year, over one thousand incidents of police violence and harassment were monitored in Haringey alone.

London-wide, the recent spate of deaths in custody shows the police’s contempt for the lives of black people. Yet the killings of Jamie Stewart, Edwin Carr, Vincent Graham and ‘other innocent people have gone almost unnoticed by the politicians and the mainstream media,

‘The government and other oficial bodies have not acted to defend our interests, or to properly investigate these incidents. We need to show them that we will not stand by and let the police get away with murder. We need united mass action to defend our basic civil rights and get justice for our community.

‘Come to the public meeting to hear the families who have suffered speak. Attend the picket to show your anger. Join us in this protest to defend yourself.

‘The conviction fo so many innocent young men following the uprising was intended to silence the community. We will not be silent.

Remember the Innocent

Picket Tottenham Police Station 6-8pm Friday October 6th Toitenham High Road

Nearest tube, Seven Sisters, Victoria Lit Public Meeting Police Attacks: Community Defence 7.30pm Thursday September 28 Tottenham Town Hall Tottenham High Rosd N15 Nearest tube, Seven Sisters, Victoris Line

Labour Party

both the CLP and the local Labour Grovp. (Twelve local Councillors

signed the Briefing “no cuts

Labour Party officials are Uxbridge CLP because of the CLP’s refusal to allow

the EEPTU to affiliate. age pss! Letters have even been sent to ‘This means the CLP gi echpa aye coed 5 is “action” against the “infiltators”. ee ‘The sight have siezed upon

don Labour Puy hve ed by Tata Cer Mice Sees eek ts ovate Seen, eee He CLE"s democratic decision. bet eating that Margaret Hodge, = ‘Uxbridge remains solid on |. a4er of Islington Council was “a — middle class, right-wing scab" “This was sad in response to “Tory jes that Margaret Hodge and Islington, Brent, and Hasiney Councils all supported faking culsin services "50 Why Showda’t Hillingdon?

“Tas is jst one example ofthe sights continued frostration st thei fallre to contr the CLP. LGC, or Laboar Group. Hil: Tingdon is 2 hang Council with

By Uxbridge CLP spokesperson

However, asin the past, small group of right-wingers have ‘begun communications with Walworth Road and the press regarding the alleged “infiltration” by Briefing supporters. of

‘Council was elected in 1986. Labour Party officers are already talking about closing down the CLP. But Uxbridge will ight hard to defend democracy, ac: ‘countability, and socialism.

Labour the largest single group.

Labour in Hillingdon looks set to take control of the Couneil in May 1990. The left has ensured that there have been no pacts or sell-ouls on policy since the hung,

GLLP conference timetable Greater London Labour Party (Regional Council) Twenty Third Annual General Meeting, Friday/Saturday 2nd/3rd March 1990. Last date for receipt of: -motions — 1st post Friday 17th November 1989; amendments to motions — 1st post Wednesday 10th January 1990; -nomination for election of Officers, Executive Committee and Standing Orders Committee — 1st post Wednesday 10th January 1990; -compositing — Saturday 27th January 1990 Last date for receipt of delegations — 1st post Wednesday 7th February 1990

JEREMY CORBYN MP

LIZ DAVIES (Delegate)

KEITH VENESS (Agent) send greetings to

Conference from Islington North CLP

HARINGEY LABOUR BRIEFING

sends

Socialist Greetings to Conference Delegates

Say NO to Tory

Anti-Union Laws!

National Black Students Alliance and Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign i Black struggle and the fight against racism: a / conference for the student movement London School of Economics Students’ Union, _ Houghton Street, London WC2 i Saturday November 11 10.30am-6.00pm Speakers include: Stafford Scott; Unmesh Desal; Families of the “Tottenham | “Three”; National Black Students’ Alliance; Labour Party Back Sections i Workshops on: / Policing the Community; immigration and Refugees Racist Attacks and Fascist Violence Videos Lunch and bar avaliable Registration £5.00°53.00 Details and registration from: Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign, 73, Tangmere, BWF, London N17 NB Telephone 01-885 3752

1906-1989 A MEMORIAL MEETING A meeting to commemorate the life and struggles of Harry Wicks 2 founder member of the British Communist Party and "Young Communist League, a graduate of the Moscow Lenin School, a founder member of the first Trotskyist organisation in Britain, the "Balham Group" and the Secretary of the British Committee In Defence of Leon Trotsky in 1938. ‘Conwray Hall ‘Sunday sth October 1989 3.00pm-5.00pm Meeting called by Socialist Patton ands Revolutionary History

New controversy

This year’s City of London Anti-Apartheid AGM, held on September 23rd and 24th, was dominated by sharp discussion on the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) of Namibi:

With under 40 people attending and with hardly any guest speakers from the liberation movements, the AGM seemed set to be a lowkey aff

But the opening session came to lite when two counterposed motions were put con- ‘cerning recent press reports of the SWAPO leadership's imprisonment, torture andexecution of its own miltants,

ISWAPO supporters marching on 1 liberation movement.

‘The Namibian people themselves would have to resolve ‘such internal problems in the course of their struggle.

The RCG position of 91 pressing concam buttaking no action was overwhelmingly passed, backed up by arguments about the legitimacy of ‘SWAPO as a liberation move-

By Joe Jarvis

The first motion, proposed by an RCG member, expressed its conoern at these reports, the truth of which was

ot in doubt ment.

‘The second motion wentfur- _- SWAPOis clealy legitimate, ther, calling fora labourmove- but a leadership faction which ment enquiry into the problem, kills and holds its own militants with the City Group having an pa

input. It was moved by a Namibian in exe.

‘Supporters of the fest moton aqued stony tatitwas net fe pb ot a solciarty group = an mosiaist county © ene eng re

("Seams e

wi

“ee ‘

London Labour Briefing No. 118 September 27th October 10th Page 9

Right takes its gloves off

OnSunday September 24th, deed, thee is barely a Labour _ingoutthiswitch-hunttheLaboor the reconvened mecting did at Brent Council Labour Councillor feft who has not ‘Group ignored both the wishes of —_east have to vote not to allow ob-

% three broken the whip at some time. the local Labour Parties and ex- ~servers

ee ee Sg: Yet nme of here tae over Sndedanyneiomobsevingtc "The was even og delay

ieee orhave others procedings DERE ne snes |

baum, Frank Hansen, and ee oe penige the BreatLacalGovemmentCom- ficial CLE obecrvcesto the mee! Mick Woods — indefinitely O° 0" Si nisl coaiee beta aa

from the Labour Group. ‘The formal charge was that the three voted agalast the

decision on disciplinary action ‘The three anti-cuts Councillors should be deferred while full dis- were unrepentant, standing on cussion took place in the Party. their record.

Labour budget in March — By Pete Firmin ‘This motion was ruled out of "Because of their persistence in when 2 32% rate increase was. Brent East CLP ‘order on the curious groundsthat challenging the record of the parsed on the casting vote of the themesting wascalled specifcal- Labor Group neadly all of their ‘Chair — and that they had not Iy to decide onthe charg accuser felt the need to “justify

signed a loyalty oath swearing The delay since the budget _It is obvious from the voling themselves and the proceedings to carry out future Labour — mecting in March indicates the (even though it was a secret bal- trang out over two and a half

Group decisions. real purpose in taking action lot) that the majority of LGC EC hours. Bot their “crimes” in the eyes against the three. ‘members (led by leading local "The three even had to insist on of the Labour leadership go Being expelled indefinitely LCCer Jim Moher) saw this as 1 theirright to respondtothe debate beyond this. means they are unable under green light to vote forthe expul- _efore the vote ‘While the majority of the Party rules to stand for selection sions! Despite this setback, the three

LabourGrouphaveinflictedmas- fornextyeat'selectionratherthan The meeting was lobbied by Councillors, together with sive redundancies, rent and rafe leaving their branches (which about 40 supporters of Brent Graham Dutham and Brent riser and cuts in services on the have supported them) todecide. Fightback who refused to leave Fightback, certainly do not intend

working clase of the Borongh, alsohartheeffexofcreating, the Council Chamber when told. topo way. atte araortyof the they have opposed all cuts and two'vacanciesinone ofthe safest to by the chair of the Labour Labour Group would ao doubt Memorial Meeting together witr Graham Dutham wards, leaving an opening for Grp, forcing him to Girt ad- wish

(expelled last year)been involved those right wingers scurrying for jour the mecting andthenhold it Not only will we continue the

erences cman ‘with trade unionists and users in safe seas alalime whea Labour in a cramped committee room fight agains the continuing cuts x ‘organising to fight them. is likely to lose many seats as a where they could restrict entry. by the Council but also campaign Manouchehr Mahjobi ere a tence Giemsa ace Tis cpoun tia auling ie eres tas doin taal Editor, playwright, poet, cartoonist, satirist of the have voted for additional cuts Ashasbecomenommal practice ders do not permit anyone to ob- all four reinstated to the Labour regimes of the Shah and Khomeini proposed by the Tories and, in- in Breat, in the process of camry: servethemecting was untrue, and Group.

Monday October 2nd, 7pm Conway Halt Organised by CARI and the Iranian Community Centre

Above: Cartoon printed in paper edited by Manouchehr -= = = - ianga"hatersionwenenmno | Disciplined for voting against! sacrifice.

In 1986 | was re-selected _ pay the Tax. does not take action against Lbetiae Co all ‘ity G AGM Tid toccioclea asa | The Gestion 0 implement us. ee Cae uty GrOBp jcomctorrKh tofeoee tenes ouiegtedSeases Sin

burn Ward in the London

local Labour Parties, the rade its action in bringing charges Borough oleae: unions or the wider com- against us has been con- FS @) eM ==] at-top

The 1986 election results Syrty. demned in virtually every

were the best that Labour forum where the issue has oly T; bel:

has ever achieved in Cam- Se been raised. beanie soit

“The campaign was _ By Councillor Despite protest, the Group peat hatchet

fought in the wake of the Angie Birtill have decided that our decision Councillors Angie Birtill

fight against rate-capping =. fohonourthe promises thatwe and Adrian Slates have

‘and on a manifesto which arena made in 1986 is simply tooex- seen off a right-wing/LCC.

‘committed us to direct con- treme. attempt to discipline them

frontation with central Councillor Adrian States “We do not believe that we empl to discip

government. and |voted againstimplemen- yi be the only socialists tobe _gpposition to the Poll Tax We promised the people of tation for two reasons. Gisciplined for believing that Sn’ camden Council.

Camden an alternative to First, the Poll Tax directly Gur principles are more impor-

Thatcherism and a complete contradicts A joint meeting of

ything We tant than the practice of | Camden's LGC and Labour

‘PHOTOS: Graeme Cookson

break with the policies of com- believe in, everything we wholesale surrender. Groug youd ty setsao ee

promise, compliance and sur- promised, and everything "The fight we are waging take no action against the

ender. central to the principles of against the Labour leadership two Briefing supporters, ‘Since 1986, the Labour democratic socialism. intwesmessthoightegarat who refused to eappart

leadership in Camden have Second, the relusal to ds- Sil aspects of the Party PeliTar'tnolemerranon at cot over 2,000 jobs, services cuss the Taxin policaltemms, juadurehip's surrender to roll vax implementation have been privatised, service tomount even aminimal c2m- Thatcherism and the dictates" A lobby of aver 50 local charges have beenincreased, paign against it, and the Yi'ime market, peaeniauane comin 7s Ant-Aparthoid demo. Should our support be questioned? Tents have escalated, and the refusal to even consider that Ge, omerignisagainetine People. ine rate . boroughhas|allenintoderelic- there might be an alternative to. the an fax campaigners, underground jails fs not. washing its hands of this boroughhasfalle on tematve!o realty of Conservatism, the gave vocal suppart to the Unfortunately the City problem against the better in- ocanddisrenair. | __ surrender, places the Labour igh rents and bad housing. two Poll Tax rebels, who roup have pul power block terests of the Namibian eve romiae we Dade” Gop ea ere Pary. pt nelackofsocial provision and war also backed by tics above principle, by people. er cenae ck We bom he oftoortre 002, the introduction @f ex-Counel leader Phi

munity and trade unions, and labour movement. ot Cental overlcbour: in bls speach finer R ding Matters about our wilingness to con As aresuit of voting against ° The Poll Taxis the clearest said that Angie and Adrian eda fe} front central government — implementation, we have had gxample of Thatcherism in were the only two has been broken. disciplinary charges brought practice. The refusal to fight Councillors in Camden Booksho ‘Some of us, with support against us. ‘against the Taxis the clearest doing anything about the from workers, community We have received support S9amti0 of new realism in feted tak

groups and organisations, from our Labour Party

High Road, Wood Green, | fugit against surrende Branches, our Constinency

London N22 We argued for ateratve Labour Pary—Hamesieasa «© Camden Stop the Poll Tax (near Wood Green tube) movement and aligned oursel- Campaign

ves consciously with hose

Pubic Meet Tmrsee > Sous 5 Sor ——

ee

Good books for sociaiss=!

‘London Labour Briefing No. 118 September 27th-October 10th Page 4

; ower Hamlets using slump deepen |

Magistrates Court picket

Almost 100 Bangladeshi youth took the morning off school to form a picket outside Thames Magistrates Court on Tuesday September 12th.

‘The protest was against criminal charges brought against 39 people arrested on July 15th on a march to protest inaction against racists.

‘The July march was attacked by racists in Bethnal Green — the police protected the racists, arrested over 60 marchers ‘and allegedly beat up some of those arrested.

‘Also on the picket outside the court was the Bethnal Green & Stepney Labour Party banner, Tower Hamlets NUPE, NALGO and NATFHE union banners.

"The cases were ajourned until Thursday 28th September. Another picket is planned for 10.00am outside Thames Magistrates Court, Aylward Street El.

‘Heather Clarke, Bow & Poplar CLP

Letter from Phil Maxwell, Leader of Tower Hamiets Labour Group to Chief of the Metropolitan Police.

Peter,

Dear

Re: POLICE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS

I noted with great interest the presence of the “Metropolitan Police Video Squad” at the Thames Magistrates’ Court on 12th September.

I was flattered by the particular attention that the camera operator paid to myselfi

! would be grateful if you could let me know when and where the first public screening of oc n Ss the film will be made.

If there is to be an opening night, 1 would be { grateful if you would consider sending me a

couple of tickets. *) contributes to the police precept, ! would be a

grateful if you could advise me of the cost of : the surveillance operation of the peaceful demonstration.

Out of more than 2,000

| anxiously await your reply Se ee ee rs year in Docklan fewer P.S. As a professional photographer myself, _ than 300 have been sold. ce ie a am well aware of the technical shortcomings Sales are only 25% oflast_ 08! zt : of video. year's and are predicted to. CLP : Clear, still photographs of myself are freely “nn? S“""sr'urc depres: Greenwich Peninsula and : available from the public relations office at sien inthe Dockinads EDDC plans for 3,000 : Bethnal Green Town Hall. | would be pleased market is soch that in July homes on the south side of to forward signed copies to your office upon 1989 Docklands developer, he ral Victoria Duck in fentish Property Group, Newham. rower: was pushed into insolvency. Toten in the a Prices have dropped by tial property market is s Graham Bash & Co. arcend 30%, butitwilliake that housing starts are ici falls of 10%-15% t¢ poised te jnationally by as Solicitors papacy © muuch as 30%-40% and i Particularly worrying to nearly 1,000 jobs have been 26 Wattisfield Road, Airy Ppp tenpep porn inares London E5 rs must be the fact that al- dustry since the beginning of ‘most half of this “s sales, year. 01-985 8892 {20 units, were in just seven _ Related businesses have developments. also felt the impact: London

Reta of 4 achomes are Brick part of BANOO, BS yap GH per ces ig,

. carrentls being marketed in niles ered: ¢ Personal Injury ccrbanemanin Sera made 58 res an rs tannery i had no sales at all. Group has gone bust, as has

Compensation ‘There are currently 1,879 the South-East developer Further bad news for ‘The Docklands housing

new homes for sale in Dock- eae a developers comes in a new boom was built on the shaky

oe rm i lands. all of which have been icCarthy and Stone, report stating thatthe fallin foundations of a temporary AY Employ ent Rights on the market for almost 2 ialises im reti house pricesnationallyisnot economic boom, based larrear. Bat the potential over- a temporary blip. gely in the financial sector,

JInfai ismi supply is even greater. 2s It suggests prices will fall The developers are getnfair Dismissal (2,000 homes im new schemes by 10% this year, by afur- ting their fingers burnt — are about to be released on © P&O, has sacked 200 ar- ther 10% in 1990, and may whilst working class com-

+ 1 Negligen | the market. chitects, planners an thea recover slowly. At munities arelefttopick their Medical Negligence iain aus aeap mec etaas Crees ee ee Se ea a eee

4y, prices may largest building sites in the

plansfor 4000homesonthe July. of. world,