A RECENT circular from the TUC, signed by Len Murray, instructed unions and withdraw support from the Campaign Against the Criminal Trespass The circular, addressed to all affiliated unions and trades councils, claims that CACTL been counter-productive and has caused contusion' only evidence put forward for this is that at the last Labour Party conference various unions voted against CACTL's motion calling for the repeal of the Act, leavin the abour Party with n policy on the issue.
The TUC call for amendment of specific sections of the Act, whereas CACT calls for its Len Murray does not seem to that amendment absolutely necessary. the In the circular Murray says that the Home Secretary has said 'there has been no evidence of abuse of the criminal trespass provisions nor of the aid' Act having unfortunate effects in industrial disputes', if such evidence emerges then discus. sions on amendment would be The purpose of the Act is not to limit trade union activities and this had been pointed out police, the Secretary had explained.
But the Public Order Act introduced to stop anti-fascists mobilising and yet that hasn't prevented it being used that way.
CACTL has the support of well over 300 labour movement bodies, unions, trades councils and others who support the campaign for the repeal of the whole of the Act. such bodies *should -HOI support or sponsor conferences being promoted by CACTL should be roundly rejected Len Murray is the one who is being 'counter-productive and causing confusion'.
For the real facts about the effects and implications of the Criminal Trespass Law, CACTL have excellent pamphlet, OTOGUCCE Whose Hall Law and Order? At 20p plus postage it is very good value from: CACTL, 35 Wellington St, London WC2.
THE Demonstration Defence Unit was formed in London in March 1978 by legal workers and law students in response to increasing number and randomness of arrests on anti-racist and other demonIt provides free legal first on demonstrations, conjunction with local law centres where they exist, by leafletting demonstrators about their rights if arrested, by taking on-the-spot witness statements, by attempting to secure the fast release of those arrested and by helping with the setting up of defence committees afterwards.
As a by-product of this activity, areas of unusually desperate legal need sometimes found and we can help local groups -in efforts to set up emergenc legal services.
If you are organising event and would like some legal presence (London only), contact the DDU at 289 3876.
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Demonstration Defence Unit