Events at Cowler stress the urgenCouncil, Two of London's most militant squatting centres huve been attacked by police, and, in well-planned operations the squatters evicted A massive force of over 100 police took part in both evictions, and in both a heavy lorry with a winch was used to wrench the doors down:
The police arrived before dawn on Monday at 220 Camden High Street (which is contrary to the laws governing hailiffs), and at 6.50 am the following day at the squat in the Dover Street luxury flats, May Fair, There was difficuity in using the system of a phone pyramid to mobilise support, because one of the key phones mysteriously went lout of order. Despite this over 100 people were mobilised in support of the squatters, within the space of 1% hours. They carried out a mass leafletting in Camden High Street, and later that day marched to the home of Joe Levy, whose firm of speculatNew support for Working Women's Charter Forty-five women from nine trade unions anet in London on Saturday (20 April) to discuss the basis fot a campaign around the demands of the Working Wonten's Charter, presented Inst month by the London Trades There is a possibility that five trades councils in the London areaCamden, Istington, Hackney, Haringey, and Harrow-will be calling! local conferences to take up the situstion of women workers, and it was proposed that they should be asked to adopt the Charter.
It was reported at the meeting that women's groups in Birmingham, Coventry, and Bristol are already preparing to take up the campaign Providing intoediate assiscanoe for women in struggle was regarded us a priority by the meering in Londen, and a group of women teachers from a language school in Central London came along to dis cuss the problems they are facing in unionising the school and organisBIRMINGHAM. Thursday 25 april. ofs own both properties.
After the Dover Street eviction, th sgustters marched to Levy's office in Piccadiliy, and then to Westmin ter City Hallto demand re-housing fo all. They rejected the offer of be and breakfast accommodation mad to them by senior Council officials and encamped themselves on the Cit Hall steps for the afternoon.
Meanwhile a group went off b search for new squats in other Lev properties.
The careful preparation and larg turnout by police involved in the evictions show that the State is tak ing squatting seriously. The activ defence of these squats lasted fo eighteen days, despite a High Cour eviction order, and drew in suppor from tenants and trade unionists.
Despite the evictions these squat have paved the way for increase united action by squatters, tenan and trade unionists against speculat ors, and for decent homes for all An orpinising commitee for the Charter Campaign was formed, and this will hold its first meeting on Saturday, 27 Aptil, 11 am, University of London Union, Malet Street, WCI This will be an open meeting, to which all supporters of the Charter are invited.
DODIE WEPPLER On 28 March police ruided the heauquarters of the Caribbean Solid arity Movement in London.
The door was smashed In at six in the morning, and the promises searched along with the occupants The police had a warrant issued unde the 1968 Firearms Act. Needless to say, they found no weapons, hut thes were able to go through the address lists of the Movement.
black militants. On the some day a shooting incident occurred in Handsworth, Hirm menam, sobody involed in thes in cidont had any political affiliations, but it was used or the ponce us an excuse po tuan over a local militant organisation, tie Afro-Caribbean Movement.
The headquarters of this organisption were rided. Sume 30 annod police were soldiers. A spokesman for the Afro-Carib bean movement described the solteris as weating camoufiage batrie-dress and red berels. They had guns in the joop.
The unaina reason for sachine into in the shooting was being hidden thore. When this was shown not to be the case the polloc accused the black militants of DO VOICE BEN SAC INA This not tie first time that troops have appeared in the predominantly black ace ol Hanusword on palol For a 3 week trial period in 1972 there had even been a helicopter patrol over Handswortb: This raid, however, is the first example of
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