Left Horizons does not fully support the programme and perspectives of the Newham Socialist Labour group, but we feel it is important, as a basic act of solidarity, to publish this report from Roger Silverman, in the light of the outrageous and sinister attack on the right to protest that it describes.
Dark storm clouds are gathering: we are rapidly moving into a new period of open class war. The dying Tory government has curbed still further our right to strike, our right to protest, even our right to vote. And Sunak’s menacing speech two days ago about the need to crack down on “mob rule” was put into effect the very next day in the London Borough of Newham.
Three founder members of Newham Socialist Labour group were arrested at the weekend. This is the group founded three years ago when West Ham and East Ham CLPs were shut down without warning for being too left: a coup which gave the politically bankrupt Labour Mayor and councillors of Newham a free hand.
Only nine months ago, members of Newham Socialist Labour had no councillors. Today, after two by-elections and one transfer of allegiance, we have three councilllors, and already constitute the official opposition. These comrades have steadfastly opposed Newham Council’s attempt to pass a budget imposing still further savage cuts in services, the maximum permissible rises in council tax and rents, and the shutdown of local markets. This battle came to a head on Friday, February 29, when the Council met to approve the budget.
What happened next is a dangerous warning. Here is the story, as told by one of those arrested…
On the March 1, at five minutes to midnight, there were four police officers at our front door. In our pyjamas, my husband and I were arrested for “racial harassment under the Public Order Act Section 4a” on the allegation that we had “hissed” at a councillor in the Council budget meeting on February 29. A third member of our group was arrested at 8am on the following morning.
There had been around 25-plus members of the public in the Town Hall gallery. Many were concerned about the loss of their livelihoods with the closure of an indoor market; others, about rises in rents and council tax, alongside millions in cuts. The councillor concerned with the allegation, who has been happy to be named in the national press, is Joshua Garfield.
We are accused of hissing at him – which we understand is classed as antisemitism. We are innocent of the charges. We feel that while the police officers on an individual level behaved professionally, we have been made an example of for political ends. Those daring to organise and speak out will feel the full force of the state.
We were released after 24 hours, and are now out on bail. Our arrest follows on from Sunak’s speech; the Tories and the Labour Party are in trouble. Labour as we knew it is dead. We now need a new alliance of groups to represent us. Thank you for all the messages of solidarity.
