and wrongs 'The state acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, in so far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.' LAST WEEK the Dail, the Irish parliament, passed this amendment to the constitution in a defeat for the ruling Fine Gael party.
Originally, the proposal to constitution in this way was supported by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, who were falling over themselves in the race to be 'more anti-abortion than thou.
But although the massive debate brought a welcome relief from the spotlight on Eire's economic crisis, it had a stormy dynamic all its own.
The row isn't even really centred around pro or anti-abortion. Abortion has always been illegal in the South, with an estimated 5000 women coming over to Britain each year for them. The proposal to enshrine this in the constitution, this, but it has nevertheless provoked an uproar.
The Protestant churches viewed it as a sectarian provocation, 'the most divisive issue in the history of the state', and attacked it as a misuse of the constitution. Although of course they are anti-abortion, they believed that the laws as they stand are good enough.
Much of the row centred around the wording of the amendment. The term 'unborn' is neither legally defined or easy to define at all. There are died, This amend the won't change racial violence and harassment.
into the death of Colin Roach. Colin Roach — who January.
The night that Colin This father was questioned for three hours by the police asking about son, he was told nothing interrogation did they tell him that Colin was dead They then proceeded to search the house. At one point, a police woman grabbed Mrs Roach by the throat.
The death of Colin and the incredible intimidation family supporters • nas served to highlight the history thuggery of the local police In 1981, Nellie Knight reported a burglary of her The police arrived NOUSC.
Nellie LICI daughters, Jennifer Janice, were dragged outside the front door.
Nellie was assaulted by the police and the three of were dragged screaming out of the house of their protest that Nellie's six year old daughter was alone in the house.
Nellie was stopped from screaming by being the hit in the mouth by object produced police officer'S pocket which caused internal and external bleeding.
She was thrown headlong into a police van and the door slammed or her feet.
Jennifer, who was then only 13, was forced into a van by two officers, with her arm twisted behind her back. Nellie was lying face down on the floor while the police rested their feet on her. Janice's nose was bleeding.
In the charge room all were subjected to racial abuse.
Nellie was taken
Hackney her mouth was stitched, and then taken back to a cell where her daughters nao been kool.
Both young women then started vomiting and in spite of numerous requests WelC denied any assistance Jennifer was still very ill later, and was denied a sanitary towel day, after the tervention of a friend that immediate ordeal ended Nellie, Jennifer Janice Knight are now all active in the Colin Roach Campaign.
Nellie says. •hope my heart that black and white people if leenng insiac tnem aovul the prejudice, brutality and hatred 0] the police towards the black community, will come out and give us their physical support and attention'.
• Messages of support, donations and requests for speakers should be sent to Road, London (01-254 7480). • MARCH RALLY for an independent publi inquiry into the death of Colin Roach. Sat 14 May, 12.30pm. Green Gardens (Bethnal Green tube), Called by RFSC time for con-
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This has been a central factor in the widespread support locally for an independent public inquiry
showed no suicidal tendencies — was shot dead in the foyer of Stoke Newington police station last