Anger as March misses chances

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THE PEOPLE's March for Jobs had a tremendous reception in Brent on Thursday 2nd. There was a big labour movement turnout in Battersea Park on June 5 for the final rally. It could have been like that all along the route. But it wasn't.

The organisers always saw the most important thing as winning support from Liberals, SPers, vicars and Tory wets. Everything else came The marshals called the police to keep away labour movement support marchers. The march should have been an opportunity for the voice of the unemployed to be heard. Instead it was mostly a matter of unemployed marchers hearing the voice of the marshals - especially Communist Party members - telling'them to shut up.

After five weeks, and with just three days to go, the marshals finally conceded that "Tories out' could be chanted. But:

* They didn't reinstate marchers expelled for chanting "Tories out'.

* Marcher Helen Johnston was attacked by chief security steward John Ellis and had her toe broken, and then faced stonewalling. It took four days to get a hearing from the marshals. Then they kept her attacker as a steward and only removed him from security to other duties. Helen appealed to the National Organising Committee, which met on Friday June 3, and refused to uphold her appeal. Pleading 'conflicting evidence', all they did was remove Ellis from steward duties for one day.

The marshals' line was: 'Don't make a fuss. Keep it within the March'. But at the weekend, when they alleged that they themselves had been physically attacked, they immediately called in the police.

* Halifax Trades Council has called for an inquiry into the case of * Merseyside Trades Councils have called for an inquiry into the case of the four marchers expelled for shouting 'Tories out' * Leicester Trades Council and Hull People's March committee have demanded explanations on the case of the marcher expelled for being * Oxford People's March committee has called for an inquiry into the incidents provoked by the marshals which led to Uxtord support marchAt a march meeting on June 5 the marshals forced through a vote of confidence in themselves. But many marchers and activists are angry. - campaigning for an inquiry into the way the march has been run; - carrying on the work of organising the unemployed after the March. second to that.

Among them is a TGWU ful-time official. Helen Johnston.

nine weeks pregnant.

ers being arrested in Towcester.

They will be:

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• Socialist Organiser no.135 Special Issue June 6 1983 Page GETTING organised means joining together with those who have been active in the election campaign, and doubling our forces for the fight ahead.

Many groups are planning 'After the election, where next?' meetings. Here are the details of the meetings that are definite. If your area isn't mentioned, phone the contact number of your group, or see

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