This was the fourth known racist murder in the area in the last eight months. And this time the black community reacted in a big way.
After a week's leafleting on the streets more than people - most of them black — turned up to a meeting at the local All Nations Club. only was there a lot of anger but loud calls for organised defence.
These were SO insistent because the events surrounding Michael's death had thrown a clear light on the role of the OCCO COLA COUCH for the lives of black people.
Michael arrived bleeding at Stoke Newington police station at 2am after being stabbed. But police LOOK their calling an ambulance, didn't arrive till 2.45am.
They were obviously interested in finding out what black youths were doing on the streets at all than in the fact that Michael was bleeding to death He was finally taken to Leonard's Hospital where he died.
As a result of the mood at the meeting on 21 December, further meeting of black people December, which decided to set up the Hackney Black People's Defence Organisation.
The basis of the BPDO is LINC that: which 1. Only ensure their own defence. more This means mobilisation of 3. Defence and its organisation is a political involves defence St only the National Front (whose headquarters are Hackney) but also the actions of the police, judiciary, and the whole establishment.
The need for this was shown people can question which Iner arracks against community, now in Ridley Road MICHAEL ANDREW FERREIRA when the three men charged with Michael'smurderappeared in court. They were refused bail When not because of the seriousness of the charges, or because their release would encourage Tur the black but because the police said this was the only way to ensure their safety!
The BPDO is now leafleting market every petition to demand the release the them of Michael's body - which is still being held by the police.
This body Is finally released, it is planned to turn the dav of the tuneral into a mass day of mourning for all the victims of racist attacks.
It was in Hackney that the first strike against racism took place on 17 July. It is this sort of action that the BPDO and day. the local anti-racist movement intend to build. THERE is no doubt as to the British Oxygen Company's New Year resolution: to make up for its defeat in the last two years' wage deals by attacking union organisation.
Coming back the holiday on 2 January, workers at BOC's Hackney depot found lorries iced up and dangerous to work. Although fifteen were eventually got back on the road, three were found still to be hazardous by the union safety representatives miles HOWEVER 340H away the management repre sentative, Draper, clared them fit and ordered taken out. When -ERE rejected this the WOrKCES management overturned all dispute procedures and withdrew the gate cards of workers, including TGWU senior shop steward John Walsh.
The decision of the entire night shift to walk out in support of the suspended men was backed unanimously by a mass meeting of the depot next This type of attack by management has a long history BOC. Ritual calls for everyone lo
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management out for revenge