Trade unionists march through Shrewsbury after the committal proceedings last Friday. tants to the Crown Court for trial.
takes place in the Crown Court The decision of the Shrewsbury magistrates is a clear-cut indicator that the state is not simply bluffing; it is out to get the 24. It wants their case to serve as an example to the whole labour movement, and to provide precedents for future attacks. We should make it into a precedent of out unity and power to resist ruling class attack and defend our ability to organise.
In a blatant attempt to hamper the mity of the defendants and the growing defence campaign, there will be two trials in two different areas. The main trial of all 24 will take place in Shrewsbury, probubly in the autumn. But seven of the men also faos separate charges at the Crown Court in Mold, a mall North Wales town some ten miles east of Chester.
The trial of chese seven opeus next Tuesday, 26 June. It is essential that as large a demonstration as possible takes place outside the Mold courthouse on that day to support the defendants. We must make clear to the state authorities that their splitting manoeuvre has not worked, and that our determination to see tha struggle through until final victory has grown even greater, The Shrewsbury 24 defence committee bas called for an all-out With the help of our resders and supportars, Red Weekly Is now firmly established. But we do not atond to stop here Over the next few months we hope further to ex pand the soope and overage of the paper.
But this can only be done with your continued sopport and anistanen. That is why the 24 building workers appearing before them on charges arising out of last year's building strike. They decided to send these miliIn cases involving serious charges, such as those against the Shrewybury 24, the job of the magistrates court is simply to decide il sufficient evidence exists to bother with a full-scale trial. This then mobilisation on that day. recent decisions by important sections of the labour movement to take up this question should make this by far the largest mobilisation so far. But It is really just beginning.
International Marxist Group and the Socklist Labour League have agreed to jointly sponsor a public meeting in London in defence of the Shrewsbury 24. This will take place on Friday, 6 Ju h, at 7.30 p.m. in Acton Town Huil. Dave Jackson from the Shrewsbury Defence Committee has already agreed to speak at meeting. Invitations have also been sent to both the Communit Party and the Labour Party to par ticipate.
Regrettably. the International Socialists have refused to sponsor the meeting. A letter from them states that this is not within the terms of reference of the joint statement /IS SLE-IMG matement in defence of basic rights) and that it will add nothing to the effect of each indi vidual organisation's efforts in sup. port of the Shrewsbury building workers'.
See p. 3 for latest information on developments in the Shrewrbury 24 defence dumpaign.
Www have tusched a regular Flahting Fur to raice E300 a month, With anly fust ove a week left of thie month we still need al mon £200. We urge every radar to consi der sending us a dorelion now. Or seer better, why not maice it a regular banker's order? Cheques/PDa/banker's ordars to Red Weekly, 182 Pentoovalls Road, N.1.