SINCE Colin Roach died in Stoke Newington Police Station January, a staggering 96 known arrests have taken place.
The campaign around the death of Colin Roach has been one of the clearest recent examples of growing police repression.
East and North London courts have been processing black youths at a rate comparable to a But while the courts have fill defendants, it's another matter when it comes to public access to the coroner's inquest into Colin's death.
St Pancras Coroner's Court will only allow 30 members of the public to attend because of space.
The week seen blatant manouevres by Dr Chambers, coroner, but most notably by the police, to stop the inquest moving to a bigger place.
Perhaps they've had some problems finding a local venue, especially as the Old Bill plus new Police Bill? are jammed full of black youth? Not so! Both the Hackney Borough Council were fered large room at Hackney Town Hall for the inquest.
What's all this? The Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw - has refused to hold a public inquiry but proposed a coroner's inquest on the Inal InIs was the same thing. This just isn't true.
Dr Chambers has correcty stated that the Home Secretary has been 'badly advised'. court can only establish the who, what, where and when aspect of the death.
degrading treatment afforded Roach family, the wider aspects of policing Hackney and Stoke Newington outside the coroner's scope.
The Police Bill that the Tories are now trying to introduce will reinlegalise the current brutal policing black these day in and day out.
The Roach campaign illustrates the importance for the democratic riders ding democratic rights civil liberties.
A number of activities are being planned which Socialist Action readers are urgeo to win support for. Messages of requests for speakers should be sent Roach Family Support Committee, Gc/0 50 Rec Rd. London N16 (01-254 7480).
the Police Bill, c/o Room 50, Hackney Town No limits on numbers of delegates.
• Support the black youth arrested by joining pickets of Highbury Magistrates Court. 10am; ates Court: 10am & 2pm; For further details contact RESC (address above) or the Stoke Newington Hackney Defence Campaign, c/o Oxford House Derbyshire Street, London E2. • March and Rally for public inquiry into the death of COnn Roach. 12.30pm, Bethnal Green Gardens, (Bethnal Green tube), E2. Called by RFSC Stop the Police • Organised by the National Campaign Against Hall, Mare St, London E8 (01-986 3123 ext 280).
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Bill! NATIONAL CONFERENCE Sun 15 May