Pat Arrowsmith, the pacifist campaigner and militant opponent of British troops in Ireland, was arrested yet again last Sunday in Aldershot. The circumstances are even more outrageous than those surrounding her earlier arrest and nine months imprisonment under the notorious Incitement to Disaffection Act.
As Pat told Red Weekly: "1 was done under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for giving out a purely political leaflet in an ordinary civilian street in Aldershot. It contained no information directed towards soldiers and was a completely pacifist leaflet, deploring all violence in the North of Ireland. Despite this and my well known reputation as a pacifist, I was strip-searched for explosives at the LOWN S PORCC SLaLON *The 200 leaflets taken from me nave now been lorwarced to me o ector of Public Prosecutions, and I have been remanded on bail to re-appear at the police station on 1 December to find out what I am going to be charged with. ane waole business is quite norrendou: in its implications.' The implications of Pat's latest arrest are only too clear. Coming at the same time as the trial of 14 pacifist campaigners trom me brusn witnarawat from Northern Ireland Campaign, her arrest is yet another indication that the Duusn autones will Drook no oppus non to tner poncies in melana wactevel the source.
Once again rumours abound in Madrid The Prevention of Tereorism Act has now been on the statute book for nearly a year. As Red Weekly explained at the time it was introduced, this Act has nothing to do with the prevention of terrorism", but is aimed at intimidating all opponents of British repression in Ireland and cowing into submission the exie usa communty In a few weeks time the Prevention of Terrorism Act comes up for renewal. Now is the time to launch a vigorous campaign against it. Earlier this year the Transport and General Workers Union went on record against its renewal - now it must turn these words into a campaign for its repeal. Already the Connolly Association and the National Council of Civil Liberties have organised a lobby of Parliament for 4 November to urge MPs to vote against its renewal or re Chacticu Three London trades councils, Hammersmith & Kensington, Brent, and Hillingdon - have so far announced their support along with the Oxtord Associaal Marxist Group will also be backing this initiative, and Red Weekly urges its London readers to turn up alter work to support the lobby.
STOP Has. rat Arrowsmi tens us that she is planning to sue the police tor false imprisonment; further, that there will be another leafleting in Aldershot Enis Sunday - people to meet outside the railway station at 3 pm. For further details phone Jim Hinsson at 01-437 5537 urgent that ever.