THE streets of Newham, East Löndon were unusually empty as 3,000 people marched last Saturday to protest a racist They condemned, too, the police violence which took place on the 19 July demonstration, to protest the murder ot Aktar Ali Beg in East Ham last month.
Asian shops and businesses closed in solidarity on Saturday, and many white shopkeepers, aware anger in Newham's black community, shut up shop as the march went by. The demonstrators included people from the local community and black organisations from as far away as Bradford and Birmingham. Local left-wing and Labour organisations joined the march.
The National Front - which the previous Monday had turned out in force to give encouragement to the four skinheads accused of murder - was hardly to be seen, despite rumours that there East End NF mobilisation against the demo. Disgust The few who dared to shout racist abuse or give Nazi salutes did so from a safe distance behind police lines. The march was heavily policed, with horses very much in evidence and riot shields always at hand. The police again provoked and several black youth were arrested. The demands coming from demonstrators centred on black self-defence. This demand was reiterated by he standing committee no Standing NASIRA Begum - won her fight against deportation While living there she had three children, who are now aged between six and nine.
Anwar returned to Britain with her husband in 1975, but the Home Office disputes parentage of the children and will not allow them entry to Britain. This is inspite of the fact that Anwar has birth certificates, records, and photographs.
The campaign to secure their right to come to this country is continuing. The defence committee, which urgently needs funds, is at: 127 Crasiford St, Rochdalo, Lanes. murder.
also held of the movement Aktar's was Pakistani Organisations, ine selling up or aerence commitices and for maximum support counter-mobilisation to the; National PTOL August. ing committe, placed the blame for Aktar's death on the state. the demonstrators Asian youth who seized the microphone told the rally that Asian youth were tired of the flowery speeches from the community elders, their speeches didn't want to fight.
Committee showing some leadership. with, he said, they should have been the police station release of those arrested.
The holding demonstrations in the space of two weeks has shown that the back community in Newham wants to organise against racism. medical Several black youth were agair Asian shops and businesses closed on Saturday.
called for West Bromwich Ull Mr Desai, speaking for the steerwith cops the crowd shields who despite the content of He called on the elders to start night. securing the of two large Rastas were arrested.
The elders, with their petitions to Home Secretary Whitelaw, are still sowing illusions. Self-defence is the first essential step towards effective murder appear.
sted on the demonstration.
OFF organisation against racism.
The next steps in Newham are the Rastas clash A mini-riot took place in Leicester on 28 July when police with riot and batons confronted some 50 Rastafarian youth.
It began over an incident in the Burlington, a West Indian pub in th Highfields area of the city. Twenty riol police made a rapid appearance, and a mini-riot went on from 10pm to midThe Leicester Mercury report said that a petrol bomb was thrown. Six pickets of the West Ham magistrates court on 11 and 14 August, when the 29 arrested on 19 July will appear, together with a continuing presence at the court when those charged with the THE Queen Mother's 80th birthday has been the occasion for the most sycophantic and nauseating series of newspaper articles, television programmes, and general reactionary drivel. The Queen Mother is a boozy old reactionary, renowned for her support of lan Smith's regime in Zimbabwe. Her famous 'cheerfulness' and radiance' probably derive from her huge yearly state handout. Few other 80-year-olds have such privileges and lead such an easy lite.
House of Commons as Thatcher and Callaghan adresses'. Fortunately someone was there to sound a discordant note and speak up for ordinary pensioners - Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner. Here we reproduce Hansard's account of the exchange. The Prime Minister (Mrs Margaret Thatcher): I beg to move: That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty on the eightieth birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and to assure Her Majesty of the great pleasure felt by this House on so joytul an occasion.
the case of the Queen Mother the people of Britain celebrate with affection and pride the birthday of a person with a very special place in our hearts. She is a Queen who has been strong with the brave, has mourned with the sad and has enchanted everyone by her grace and wit...
Mr. James Callaghan (Cardiff, South-East): I rise to endorse and support the Prime Minister's proposal.
Mr lan Stewart (Hitchin): I have the privilege to represent the constituency of Hitchin, which includes St. Paul's Walden, where Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, the Queen Mother, beloved of us all, spent much of the early part of her life. She has a special place in the affections of my constituents... Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover): When I read the motion this morning, my im mediate reaction was to think of all the many other 80 year olds in this coun try, in my constituency and in many others. My second reaction was to read the motion carefully. I hastily came to the conclusion that it was very narrow, and needed to be broadened. That is why I sent to the Table Office a manuscript amendment, through which I wanted to add the words:
who have reached their eightieth birthday and above, especially since many of those aforesaid have managed to survive in much more adverse circumstances, especially during the last 15 months of Tory government.' i very elitist and narrow, and comes from a sloppy consensus that I abhor. Mrs Elaine Kellett-Bowman (Lancaster): The words of a very bitter man. Mr Skinner: I am more concerned with people like Mr and Mrs Shuker, who live in my constituency. One of them lives at No. 3 Sandy Lane, with her daughter and son-in-law, Les Jackson, the county and England cricketer. Her husband lives in a small hospital further down the road in the constituency, at Chesterfield. together for the last period of their lives, but are unable to do so because of the many cuts that have been perpetrated by the Tory Derbyshire county counci and the government. I feel that this motion should have included the Mr and Mrs Shukers of this world...
manage to dress correctly for the occasion. I know many 80-year-old women in my constituency and outside who do not have the opportunity to find dresses for the right occasion...
Mr William Hamilton: I find motions of this sort insufferable. Mr Robert Atkins (Preston, North): We find you insufferable. Mr Hamilton: I know that. The sycophancy and the deferrence that pour from both Front Benches nauseates some of us: I cannot let this occasion pass without seeking to open the windows a little. I agree entirely with my hon Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner)...
Queen Mother has been a remarkable lady. At 80 years old, she is amazingly well preserved and almost too constantly radiant to be real. We can all try to forget for a few moments the hairshirt economy being created by the flinthearted iron lady at No 10 and seek some warmth and comfort from our magnificent Royal charmer.
Mother has been superb. However, some who should know have told me on occasions that her political views are far to the Right of even those of the Prime Minister.
views and attitudes of members of the Royal Family....
achieve. That is the purpose of the institution...
Question put and agreed to The sickening, grovelling trivia reached a new high point in the made loyal An eightieth birthday is always a matter for delighted congratulation. In 'and that this House congratulates all those persons in the United Kingdom This motion is like many others that we discuss on some occasions. It is One is 87 years old and the other is 88. They are desperately trying to get I read in the newspapers recently that the Queen Mother always seems to We are celebrating a unique occasion. By any standards, Her Majesty the As a public relations officer for the business, Her Majesty the Queen Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman knews that we do not discuss the Mr Hamilton: I was about to say that as long as the Queen Mother and those like her are around, another revolution will be that wee bit more difficult to Resolved: That Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, Mr. Secretary Whitelaw, Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas, Mr. Michael Foot, Mr. Merlyn Rees, Mr. David Steel and Mr. John Parker đo wait upon Her Majesty with the said Message.
Socialist Challenge 7 August 1980 Page 3
THATCHER'S present blitz on the working class is politely termed and the miners are In the face of 1.Em unemployed, wage settlements were still running above 20 per cent. The Post Office engineers have settled for 23 per cent claiming 36 per cent. If the Tories have to go to 2.Sm or 3m jobless they tea
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SELF- NO! DEFOWL