More than 3,000 people demonstrated LAST FRIDAY, the four Newham 8 defendants found guilty of affray were sentenced to 50 hours' community service. The concession on they would carry out their sentence - in the service of the Asian community was made by the judge at the defendant's insistence.
This is a victory for the campaign, and vindicates its strategy. The defence demand, for an absolute discharge, was unlikely in racist law courts.
Affray is a charge which carries heavy penalties. The promise verdict publicly discredits the police.
By lona Aronovsky, Newham NUT The defending solicitor said: if the police had been in the dock, they would have been The results of the trial uphold the rights of the black community to deLondon on Saturday against the Police Bill fend itself against racial violence.' The campaign was correct to make this the nub of the defence. defendant who admitted hitting a policeman was one of those acquitted.
Firmly based on local Asian community support and the network of black defence and anti-racist groups, the campaign has scored its success by the national publicity and labour movement support it fought for and won.
Newham Council is committed to an enquiry. The campaign is now in a position to demand the enquiry be made publicly accountable, that the in Newham takes a firm stand against racist policing.
The next step is the development of concrete policies to fight racism in Newham's schools, and in all areas of local council provision.