FOLLOWING THE police riot at Wapping on 24 January, when the commemorating the first anniversary of the strike was brutally attacked, Rupert Murdoch is now turning to the courts again Subsequently, a meeting of union chapel committees at Rupert Murdoch's News adopted 24-hour strike of Fleet St in notIOl calling for solidarity with the year long NaThe determi determination of the strikers has torced this dispute to the attention of wide layers of labour movement activists. With the telecoms strike, a new audience for the strike is opened The police riot on 24 January was part of a decision to try to bring to an end the year long strike.
They hope to end the twice weekly demonstrations to the Wapping plant which have helped maintain the Honne Secretary Douglas Hurd nas anteatereu tomatrouucc new powers to prevent these •CHOSL aLOIS taking place. The Public Order Act which comes into force in April will extend powers of the police to stop such demonstrations on what are in effect political grounds.
Evidence about the police riot continues come out.
Two press photographers were attacked Eruises io with cuts and bruises his head, the other, the Morning Star's Ernie Greenwood, was hospitalised. The BBC's Kate Adie was attacked as indiscriminately ponce lashed out at all and sundry.
Jine riot ran late into the night. At least four local pubs were raided at closing time. At midnight, police Name Adress I encios Action for E Radictaren ge & newsoaner wirt tne rost vlce Pnhlighed by Cardinal Enterprises. PO Box 50. London N1. Printed by East End Offset Ltd. (TU), London E2. 25,000 strong demonstration tor a further attack on snatch squads were continuing their intimidation.
police riot was roundly denounced by Arthur Scargill who reminded the rally of similar action during the miners strike.
doservel John Bowden was another speaker to give evidence of ing with vood from his ing with blood from face, Bowden held up what was left of his glasses after hed been given a crack from a truncheon simply for doing his job as a lega observer •Ull behalf of SOGAT. Bowden pointed out that the police violence was all or a part win tue imprisonment of Mike Hicks but that nothing the police could do would stop peopie comine back ana ex. ercising their right to demonstrate.
police tactics included the spraying of indelible red dye demonstrators who could be subject to arrest perhaps a week later simply for the 'crime' of having been to As the police riot raged une osno successive forays and charges - now LIC caval y. now by 'gladiators' - speakers at the rally condemned their action.
SOGAT general Brenda secrear Deali started her speech with a conocm lor o rc Dorco action. 'While we've been Sou don cs prom sllc said 'we've seen the police at ane back oule ccuocraic.y attacking our people — and for no reason at all'. Dean called on the press to 'take SUBSCRIBE Inland 24 issues £10 Send to: Socialist Action Subs, PO Box 50, London N/ 2XP John Bowden
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SOGAT and the NGA. He is sueing the two unions for damages for activities at Wapping — which threatens fines of up to $250,000 each.
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