Almost 300 delegates and visitors attended the national conference of the Campaign against Racist Laws (CARL), January 10. The conterence was called to mobilise support against the Tories' proposed Nationality Bill.
Present were representatives from a number of Black organisations (including the Indian, Kashmiri and What do you think is behind the Tory Nationality proposals?
Well, I think you've got to put it into perspective. The Tories came to power on a racist ticket - pledging, among other things, to tighten up the 1971 madon del This has already led to a major attack on Black rights. "Fishing raids" are taking place, twice the number of Blacks are being deported and police harassment of the Black community is on the increase. The Nationality Act represents another step in the Tories' racist campaign.
But what will the Nationality Act do?
categories: those whose ancestors were born here (mainlv white) and those who weren't (mainly Black). This "colour bar" will not only exclude Blacks from entering Britain -turning many of them, it should be added, into stateless citizens. It will alao mean that those already in the country will suffer a real attack on their rights.
Why do you think the Tories are pressing ahead with this Bill now? It's certainly not accidental. By singling out Black people in this way, they're trying to show that they are a "problem" They doubtless hope thev can thereby divert the trustration and anger building up over unemployment against a small minority.
Why then hasn't there been more of an outcry about the Act? mean for Black people both inside and outside the country. She was followed by Mike Rodney (CARL Nat. Secretary) who put the proposals into political perspective.
Rodney explained how the Tory Bill was the climax ofan ongoing campaign against Black rights. It comes on top of the tightening of the already-racist 1971 Immigration Act, he said, which has led to Filipino workers march in protest against deportations.
That's a good point. The answer, ot course, lies in the record of the Labour leaders. Racist immigration acts have been passed through Parliament - over curbs. Instead of challenging them, the Labour leaders nave meckiy accestca them and - when in office - implementTake the last Labour government. Merlyn Rees not only implemented the 1971 Act. He actually introduced measures to tighten it still further. Moreover, the government was also planning to introduce a Nationality Bill roughly similat to the Tories' present one. STRENGTH of the delegates who took part in delegate from an Indian Workers Association stressed, to take the campaign into the labour move.
Party - to win support there; How can this be changed? ing to change. When CARL called its - Will casabel not only the Black community but a laver in the unions and Labour Party for the repeal of the 1971 Act.
forward in understanding, It's only a with their racist offensive - and split the racist MPs".
This point was echoed by many ACTION the debate. All the more reason, a ment - into the unions and Labour "The Tories might be strong", he for the March rally. ort.
Tories racist laws?
Well, to tell the truth, it's already beginfirst demonstration in November 1979, over 20,000 responded. This included Over 60 MPs backed the rally and called 1971 Immigration Act.
We clearly have to build on this step motion to this effect. small step - but it's a vital one. Make no bones about it, if the Tories get away the labour movement - it will be twice be effective? as easy for them to ram home any piece Despite attempts by a small group to disrupt the conference (the Revolutionary Communist Tendency), a number of concrete proposals were adopted towards building a mass opposition to the Tory Bill. Key among these was the What plans does CARL have for mobil. ising greater labour support?
As you probably know, that was a major point of discussion at the recent CARL bers. conference. It's clear that the Black community is up in arms about the Tory proposals and will be mobilising en masse What we've got to do, in the following months, is to take the campaign into the unions and Labour Party to explain why this issue is vital for the whole labour movement. I think that process is already underway. CARL groups, up and down the country, are trying to enlist union and Labour Party support Most important, CARL activists in the Labour Party are amane a mass one day conterenc shortly before the rally to mobilise suppWill CARL be trying to get the Labour Bill. Party to pledge to fight and repeal the Certainly. One of the central aims of the one day conference will be to demand mat the Laoour leaders give ten suppor for the rally and - when they are returned to power - throw overboard not only the Nationality Act but also the racist There shouldn't be too much of a problem here because the Labour Party conference, in 1976, already passed a All it would need was to carry out conference decisions. Do you think the turn-out in March will From the mood building up, I think it The enthusiasm at the end of the conference left all delegates in no doubt that, with serious organisation in the weeks ahead, the Nationality Bill could be stopped. All those interested in obtaining more information about CARL, please contact: CARL, Lansbury House, 41 Camberwell Grove, London SE 5.
will be the biggest anti-racist demonstration we've seen in Britain for some time. Aul the back orcamsanons are swungue behind CARL, as are anti-racist groups, Labour rarty acuvists and umon mem I think more and more are realising that, if Thatcher's offensive is to be stopped, we need to build a united campaign which shows its power in the streets.
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* JUSTICEFON FILIPINO MURKERS
JUSTIC FILIPINO WORKERS