Varacer POLICE Self-defence vindicated!

Scan page 3

NEWHAM is a 'front line area' in the fight against racism. It was in Newham that the National Front got its highest vote in thalast election. Certain parts of Newham have become 'no-go' areas for black people. Asians walking in the road are spat upon. Their houses are In Newham. Asian women organise to go shopping together in large groups because of the fear of being alone and the risk of attack. On some estates in the area, many Asians are too scared to go out after In this atmosphere of fear and violent attacks something was In the weeks leading up to September 24 last year, Asian school students became the target of racist thugs. Many were beaten up on the way home from school. In the week before the arrests of the Newham 8, Asian school students at Little Ilford School were attacked Faced with no other choice but to defend themselves, the school students. along with people from colleges, organised themselves to go One of these groups on its way home was accosted by three white men who jumped out of a car and started to shout at unem. Thinking that these were the racists they were expecting the Asians defended themselves. The three whites were in fact plain clothes cops. Eight of the youths were arrested by a vanload of uniformed cops who just Several months later the eight went on trial, charged with 'conspiracy to assault persons unknown'. It was the same charge that the The Bradford 12 had prepared petrol bombs, after rumours of a likely attack by skinheads on the Asian community.

They raised the slogan: 'Self defence is no offence'. They said that the police had failed to protect them and therefore they were forced Affray is a serious offence. and can carry a life sentence. The four convicted are expected to be sentenced in the new few weeks, after petrol-bombed. Many Asians get beaten up.

dusk and are imprisoned in their homes.

to happen.

three times by armed white youths.

home together to prevent further attacks.

happened to turn up.

Bradford 12 had faced before them.

to prepare to defend themselves.

The Bradford 12 won their case. and four of the Newham 8 defendants won too. They were acquitted of all charges, and that was a significant victory. But four were convicted of causing an affray, and one was also convicted of common assault.

social workers' reports. An appeal is likely.

• INSIDE:

NAB LAGE 4 THE SWVP PAUL tn..es 83 80 10; Durham. Take a bulk order to sell!

----- pull-quotes -----

New issue of Socialist Student, paper of Socialist Students in NOLS, now out, 10p plus postage from Andy Bennet, DSU, Dunelm House, New Elvet,