All Organisations subcategories:
Committee for a Workers International
Nationalist and National Liberation
Pro capitalist and Imperialist
Left and radical keywords:
International Socialist Resistance (54)
Revolutionary Communist League (1)
Socialist Peoples Party (Denmark) (1)
ISR
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Prison Threat To Anti-War Protester
ON THE day that war on Iraq began tens, maybe even hundreds, of thousands of school and college students left their classrooms and took to the streets.
They were showing their outrage at Blair's determination to continue with the war against Iraq despite the British population's overwhelming opposition.
Faced with the sheer scale of strikes, and the school students' audacity, in many areas the school authorities, politicians and police had no choice but to allow the demonstrations and strikes to go ahead unhindered.
As one Whitehall insider was quoted (Financial Times 22 March): "If the government told the police to get tough and told the kids you can't protest, people would tell us that Britain has become like Iraq under Saddam Hussein."
However, Lewisham police were among those who appeared to decide to ignore such propaganda niceties. Instead they used numbers and force to stop school students participating in the Parliament Square protests.
Students boarded a number 185 bus to go to parliament. The police halted and held up the bus before physically removing them, several of whom had their parents' permission to go to parliament.
In doing so they arrested International Socialist Resistance (ISR) coordinator Karl Debbaut and two other campaigners. Charges have been dropped against the other two, but Karl is still charged with 'assault on a police officer' - charges that we totally refute.
If he is not cleared Karl faces the possibility of a six-month prison sentence. We appeal to every reader of the socialist to support the campaign to drop the charges against Karl Debbaut.
As far as ISR is aware, Karl is the only anti-war protester in the country to face imprisonment for taking part in school student led demonstrations.
This is about more than the wrongful arrest of anti-war protesters. It is about school students' right to make their voices heard.
What you can do:
Add your name to the list of supporters of the campaign by contacting ISR (details below).
Ask your trade union branch or community organisation to support the campaign.
Join the lobby of Karl's court hearing: Wednesday 24 September, 1 pm. Belmarsh Magistrates Court (next to prison), Belmarsh Rd, London SE28.
Come to the ISR meeting at 2pm on Saturday 20 September 2003 at Moonbow Jake's Cafe, New Cross Road, London SE14
For more information or to offer your support contact the campaign via ISR:
020 8558 7947
www.anticapitalism.org.uk
[email protected]
PO Box 858, London, E11 1YG
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999