After the Durham demo: build the strip search protest

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•JUSTICE FOR THE SACKED WINE RO!' WITH Sarah Jane Morris (ex-Communards) OVER 2000 people through Durham on Saturday 13 June demanding an end to the degrading practice of strip searching women prisoners, carried out in Durham and other jails in Britain and the north of Ireland. Organised by a coordinating body including the Stop the Strip Searches Campaign and the network the demonstration, mainly of women, drew together a wide range of groups including the Irish in Britain Representation Group, the Southall Black Sisters and the Labour Committee on Ireland.

Despite attempts by nolice to disrunt the pro test - at the last moment plans to rally outside prison were cut from nunulc. the demonstration was an inspiring step towards bullding a strong anu voca opposition to this legalised 21001 systematic scala assault.

took place in Durham to highlight the brutal use of strip searjoined the Women and Ireland ching women, Ella O Dwyer and against . LWU Irish Martina Anderson, held in Durham's wing. The H wing itself ws closed in 1971 after much protest at its claustrophobic harsh conditions.

While in remand in Brixton between June 1985 and May 19986 these two women suffered around 40 intimate body searche each. Since arriving although never out of the prison confines ther are stripped at leas four times each a month, a practice which they challenged in a letter read to Saturday's rally.

will this "HOU TONY psychological torture con tinue? We'v been sentenced to life imprisonDoes that mean a life of sexual torture?' they This challenge to the flimsy excuse searching measure was followed up 'security by speakers at the rally. In Martina's particular sister, Isobel Anderson, explained the means by which strip searching wa: introduced Armagh the 'supergrass' system in the north of Ireland.

Both were dividing and demoralising ty, she said. She called for every opening possible to be seized 'to build a strong active can vals. end the strip searching of all prisoners' Event Such a goal is entirely realisable. Since introduction as a systematic pracitce Armagh November 1982, and now Maghaberry, 2000 strionsearches of woken taken OLDULICIS place.

this period strip searching has been condemned by and individuals. In Britain these include NOLS and the NUS, the national unions Even the Party is commitGADOLE ted to "replacing" it.

Despite such broad opposition strip searching not only continues but has increased. •Opposition in policy has not been translated into the necessary campaigning action to put the spotlight on strip searching and end its use.

The opposition by organisations in the labou movement is to be welcomed. But opposition which remains at the lever resolutions not enough. Strip searching is issues which as the widespread shows, stands some hops being successfull fought now.

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Socialist Action

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