The six people held since the police raids in Coventry on Friday, 13 April. came up again in court on Monday for their fourth remand. Almost 300 people, the largest number yet. mounted a picket outside.
At their previous appearance, on Monday 30 April, the police prosecutor indicated that further charges, possibly including possession of explosives might be preferred against the six It seems unlikely, however, that three weeks after the arrests the police have suddenly realised that they found explosives. At the same time, the police are continuing to intimidate Irish people in Coventry, particu larly those active in defending the six. Nine more peopic have been arrested, eight of whom are out on bail. The police at first attempted to use conspiracy charges here too, but they have now heen dropped.
WHITE PAPER These attacks have come just a few weeks after the publication of the Government's White Paper on Ireland, which while it will change nothing may for a short period confuse the catholic population in the North and, more importantly, people in this country. This breathing space is being used by the Tories to physically intimidate Republicans and socialists in this country and at the same time to increase public bysteria aguinst the frish struggle. But there is also another side to the raidsand arrests. The economic crisis of British imperTRE TRISH Part of the picket on Monday. jalism has deepened over the past five years. This forces the ruling class into aftacking the working class through all possible means. The Coventry trials are also part of this process. Jailing Irish activists is possible at a time when to jail trade unionists would provoke a mass response. Coventry is an ideal setting because of the IRA bomb in 1939 which killed five people, in this sense there is a real trial going on in Coventry. But it is not a trial of the six prisoners — it is a trial of Irish militants and the revolutionary left. Failure to mout an effective defence of the aix can only open the way further for a massive aftuck to isclate and smash all political opposition in Britain. DEFENCE COMMITTEE A defence committee has been set up with the support and participation of many of the relaLives and friends of the prisoner. The aim is to get the widest possible publicity for the case. Regual bulletins are being issued explaining the political nature of the trial and getting sup port for pickets outside the court every time the six come up. A speaker from the defence committee also spoke at a seeling of over 100 people last Friday in Manchester, where arrests have also tollowed the police raids. There too defence activities including a picket of the court ate being arranged.
The Coveutry Prisoners Defence Committee can be contacted at 27 Paynes Lane, Coventry (0203 58991), BELFAST 10 The weekly pichet oubside Brizlon prison in support of the len people arrested ofter the London car bombings i hacing a positive effect on the morale of those inside, reports the Belfost Ten Defence Cormittee. pichets are heid every Saturday from 2 to 4 pm Describing the pickets, the committee soya: We essemble outside the entrance to the main gate and distribute leafdels and dispiay placards with the names of the ten, who are held inside in solitary confinement without the penal facilities accorded remand prisoners. Three of the ten are women; this is the first time in history that women have been held in Brixton." They odd that: Uswally the picket ends up in a march round the prison to the back, where we usually shout sloguns and sing songs and aty a few words to the people inside. We get then shouting back, and last Seturday they asked us not to go suas:"
On Sunday 20 Mas, the day before committal proceedings for the ten start, there will be a specai rally at Cipham Common at 2 p.m. rollowed Dy a march to the prison. That eening there will be a folh concert al the Scan pubite house, opposite Stochwell tube station, in aid of the defence committee.
All enquiries, donations, ete. should be sent to: Belfast Ten Defence Committee, 1 68 Roslyn Road, London N.15.
Red Weekly 12 May 1973 Page 3
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