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UK Antifascist Prisoners In Need Of Support

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross | 18.07.2011 11:03 | Anti-racism | Repression | Sheffield | World

“Knowing there’s guys and girls like you on the outside supporting us makes such a difference...It’s really nice not to be forgotten and I’ll be eternally grateful to everyone.” – Ravi Gill



Seven antifascists were recently convicted of ‘Conspiracy to Cause Violent Disorder’, with four sentenced immediately to 21 months in jail, two others sent to prison awaiting sentencing, and the other released on bail pending sentence. Four others were acquitted, while a further eleven people are due to be tried on the same charges later this year. In view of the looming second trial only limited information about the case is being released, though press restrictions have already been breached by the London Evening Standard which carried an extremely biased and inaccurate ‘report’.

The charges relate to a minor incident more than two years ago when two German neo-nazis were on their way to a London ‘Blood & Honour’ gig. This was used as a pretext to raid houses around the country and to initially arrest 23 people. While there was not even the evidence to bring charges for ‘common assault’ the State have been determined not to let the matter rest, pursuing charges of ‘Conspiracy to Cause Violent Disorder’.

In legal terms, ‘Violent Disorder’ occurs when a person’s behaviour is deemed to be of such a nature that it would cause alarm or distress to someone witnessing it, though there does not need to be any actual witness or complaint made. Conspiracy to Cause Violent Disorder is an even more nebulous concept, and those convicted so far appear to have been convicted not on the basis of any evidence, but simply on the basis of prejudice.

The six comrades currently in prison have never hid or apologised for their antifascist politics, and they now wish to be recognised and supported as antifascist prisoners. We regret that over the past couple of weeks, since the seven antifascists were convicted, we have had to FIGHT to publicise their plight, opposed by a dishonest and cowardly (or simply stupid) few, who were prepared to see them incarcerated without support. We can only hope that this campaign is now at an end.

Prison addresses for the antifascists are given below. Please write to them or send them a card. Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like a reply. You can also send them cash, Postal Orders (made payable to ‘The Governor’), and stationery. For advice on writing to prisoners please see the Leeds ABC website.

A solidarity fund has been set up to support the prisoners in jail and upon release. If you would like to contribute to it please send a cheque (made payable to ‘The Cable Street Society’) to Leeds ABC, 145-149 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LJ. Details for bank transfers are: The Cable Street Society. Account Number: 0827/704 169 523. Sort Code: 07 00 93.

The Anarchist workers co-op Sabcat have also produced two benefit T-shirts in support of the imprisoned antifascists. Further details on the Sabcat website at www.sabcat.com.

In view of the forthcoming trial of other comrades please refrain from discussing the details of the case on this thread.

La lucha continua!

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross




Andy Baker (21 months)
A5768CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Thomas Blak (Unsentenced)
A5728CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Sean Cregan (21 months)
A5769CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Phil De Sousa (21 months)
A5766CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Ravinder Gill (21 months)
A5770CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Austen Jackson (Unsentenced)
A5729CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE

Leeds Anarchist Black Cross
- e-mail: leedsabc@riseup.net
- Homepage: www.leedsabc.org

Comments

Hide the following 6 comments

Cowardly?

18.07.2011 13:31


Do you actually mean 'cautious' ? Before accusing people of stupidity or cowardice with no evidence perhaps it'd be better to check. Also why not give some thought as to whether airing this kind of dirty laundry in public is doing anyone any good?

yours in solidarity

Another Anti-fascist


Yes

18.07.2011 16:32

If you'd really like to persist in this, the evidence will be posted up after the second trial. Good luck to all those in it.

LABC


NO CLASS (MY ARSE) by Sean Cregan

18.07.2011 18:12

They say that class don't matter,
But that just cannot be,
The jury said they're innocent,
They each had a degree.
No previous bad character,
And references galore,
A soldier and a nurse for friends,
Well who could ask for more?
They say we are all equal,
It's simply just not true,
The way the law applies to me,
Does not apply to you.
We all sat in the courtroom,
Accused of the same crime,
You're getting on with your life,
I'm in here doing time.
I'm angry at the system,
The judges and the law,
That sit in ivory towers,
The rich above the poor.
This is our 'big society',
It isn't worth a cus,
There'll always be one law for them,
Another one for us.

Sean Cregan
- Homepage: .


Guilt by bullshit

19.07.2011 14:32

Sean's right and I should know, it really was references that seemed to make the difference. While it's worth nothing, it made me sick to see such fine men go down for bullshit when we all should have been set free.

Lulz


Astonished @ character references in English law

20.07.2011 15:25

When I was on trial @ the Crown Court for Violent Disorder I was amazed at the leverage given to character references by "upstanding members of the community"... I knew many communtiy leaders all of which have received cautions for political activity with no criminal convictions... In the eyes of the law they can no longer be referred to as "upstanding" and therefore cannot give character refs..

In Scotland it's not a pre-requisite to show what social status you have or who mummy + daddy knows (judges, police, ministers, M.P's etc) by providing character references at trial... This is left for the reports once guilt has been established as opposed to part of the evidence.

Harv
mail e-mail: harviebroon@yahoo.co.uk


Solidarity Fund: Bank details update

24.07.2011 11:40

A solidarity fund has been set up to support the prisoners in jail and upon release. If you would like to contribute to it please send a cheque (made payable to ‘The Cable Street Society’) to Leeds ABC, 145-149 Cardigan Road, Leeds, LS6 1LJ. Details for bank transfers are: The Cable Street Society. Account Number: 33333334 Reference: 0827/704 169 523. Sort Code: 07 00 93.

Leeds ABC