A MEETING in North London called by the Black Parents' Movement last week highlighted the need to mobilise support for the struggle against police harassment and brutalising of blacks, particularly the youth.
The meeting dealt specifically with four cases in which the BPM has involved itself.
1. The Wood Green battle between the police and 200 black youth after an inter-school sports meeting in Tottenham;
2. The arrest of four black kids in Oxford Street on the charge of suspicion, which in this, as in many other cases, means simo v being there:
3. The brutal beating up by the police of six women, including a young girl, by the police in Harlesden;
4. The arrests at the Notting Hill confrontation with the police.
The Black Parents' Movement was formed in June 1975 around the case of Cliff McDaniel, a schoolboy charged with assaulting the police although he had in fact been the victim of a physical attack by PC Ryan David. Both the BPM and the Black Students' Movement (formed at the same time) organised meetings, pickets and a successful demonstration.
In introducing the meeting, the chairperson John LaRose talked of this capitalist system of oppression which we have begun to understand'. He said thắt the movement is now planning a conference to be held either at the end of this year or the start of next, in which they will introduce and elaborate to the public their political philosophy and programme.
He said that the BPM stands for *independent black radical revolutionary State which profess to seek the advancement of the black community. community readons mausas. Kose, Is a kina or colonial ornce Tol undermining the independent organisation of black people.' Speakers at the meeting Claude Hilliman, one of the members of the BSM arrested at the Notting Hill controntation cauce sale tual significant thing that has emerged is that all the defendants are split up... the thing that is necessary in mobilising some kind of campaign is that some links be made between the defendants.' He called for community mobilisation. from the magistrate's attitude that he is out to convict as many as possible", said Claude.
Barbara Beese, a member of both the BPM and the Race Today Collective, exo aimed whats me mommar experience of blacks who find themselves in the web of the British legal system. She impressed upon the audience that 'the collaboration between the police, barristers and courts can be fought, cedure by which the BPM and the BSM handle cases involving the victimisation of Black Deose.
What is important is that the community is made aware of and is involved in the case, and that the organisation ensures that they get and keep on top of the case unal Incy are sausnca wit une conciusion. She told of the common practice of solicitors who confuse their clients to the point where the defendants place their fate completely in the hands of the legal system — a system which in reality finds it much easier to persecute blacks than bestow justice. It is because of the nature Ome svstem mar its necessary-re said Laincluded It was clear ana outinea te pro NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL During the discussion that followed, one black youth in particular made an impressive intervention, speaking with deflance and confidence. He asked: "Is it not time that blacks themselves, with guns if necessary? The older blacks have been brainwashed. he said, — they do not understand their youth, they don't understand why the youth are resisting. •When the youth wear the red, green and gold nat... parents say don t wear lE forms... the teachers hate you.' started to defend resist they keep you down in the lower The BPM and the BSM emerging out of a particular struggle against State oppr- October, 10am ession, have shown the possibilities of community basea pomacs as opposed to Notting community politics) by their very survival. The usual experience in the black communities is that defence campaigns they will be emerging out of specific cases have tended to winer away once me case is over. And support the following pickets (the Wood Green one was held on Mondav).
*Harlesden — Willesden Magistrate's Court, St. Mary's Lane — Tuesday 12 dates and locations of the -ContronTanon CaTE known, but no pickets have been organised as yet. It is certain, however, that 1. Marlborough Street Court - Wednesday 27 October
RED WEEKLY 7 October 1976 S