PICKETS IN Northumberland have successfully stopped delivery of coal to power station, miles from NewcasMiners from Whitcolliery told cialist Action about police response to peaceful mass icket.
Northumberland miners started picketing three weeks ago. It's NorEnumoeriana s only powel station, and we've stopped waggons going Last Tuesday there was a major police presence at the picket, mostly special patrol group. During the morning six miners got arrested. They were beaten up in the van before being taken to the station. We could hear the noise and see the van shaking about.
We decided demonstrate against police brutality, so we marched nearby town, Ashington, with our banners and sat down in the main street. We were joined by some of the town folk, but there was no police presence.
They didn't follow us into town, they were keep ing a low profile there. stopped TOI hours or more.
It was a peaceful proLest During funeral passed by the church is next door to the police station the whole demonstration was silent and took their hats off in a sign of respect except for the police that is So much for pickets causing trouble!
finally up when Dennis Murphy, NUM chairperson. asked it to disperse. disappeared Police structed an elderly witness statements to the press on statements to the press. dy picket nias stil ipicket was still tor Powell,.
MP • picker line who visited the picket on Thursday, said that would raise the question violence Commons Ann the Euro MP, was there o1 Friday and said she would raise it in Strasbourg.
Police have been tapping phone trying to stop miners going to the Port Talbot pickel line the South of the NUM ex Wales ectave the need ber or ll reds it number or pickels police presence was also have tant Keri when local defence those arrested. They couk do this by trials, holding collections to pay fines ting the NUM strike fund.
lawSocialist Action 13 April 1984