Police target blacks

Scan page 13

THE article in SO 124 about the Colin Roach demonstration does not give a clear picture of the full scale of events.

To begin with he was not ''found outside Stoke Newington police station" His body was in the police station, which is notorious for its record of racist attacks.

The police deliberately and provocatively attacked the demonstration. They had tried all the way back from Stoke Newington station to pick off isolated marchers but were unable to do sO because of the solidarity of the demonstrators.

So they deliberately ing Mr and Mrs, coach, calLy• Ing Colin's friends and councillor Twomey. They grabbed the banner and set about kicking, beating and arresting mostly black youth. Nineteen people were arrested. The police were grabbing and smashing cameras.

Despite all this the marchers regrouped and went back to Hackney Town Hall.

There a decision was taken to go to City Road police station and demand the release of those arrested. The police, not really prepared for this, desperately tried to delay and divert the march.

As we passed council estates, black youth came and joined the protest. The marchers, led by the Roach Family Support Committee decided what route to foilow and the police were at one point left driving down a road as the march went a different way.

full contingent of police, eager to continue their racist practices were at City Road police station by the time the march got there. The road was blockaded while the crowd angrily demanded the release of the sisters and brothers arrested while protesting against racism.

No doubt the police are anxious to pressurise and attempt to discredit the white people involved in fighting for an inquiry into Colin Roach's death. But their main target is not local councillors - it is black community fighting back against oppressive and racist state attacks.

ANDREA CAMPBELL