CAMPAIGN!
a 'true and lasting peace', is that of the complete withdrawal of British imperialism — militarily. economically and politically. Getting the troops out will be a first step to that.
must be the outcome of the trade union conference called by the Troops Out Movement for 24 May. In the light of the approaching el ections for the Constitutional Convention and the derelopment of this debate inside the workers' movement, this conference could not be more timely in cutting theoigh the manifold false positions on Ireland and alerting the British workers" movement to its real tasks. Bringing clarity to this question to this campaign. ******** MILITANTS Red Weekly is pleased to print the falla wing article calling for work to be stepped up in defence of the 14 SWNIC militants charged with off ences under the Incitement to Disa ffection Act. Although we have cer tain political differences with Pat, this will not in the slightest prevent the iG from giving its full support Support is gradually developing for the 14 defendants frois the British Withdrawal from Northern Ireland Campaign, but the working class has yet to be mobilised on the issue, There needs to be a massive campaign demanding the immediate dropping of the charges and the abolition of the Incitement to Distfection Act if these people are not to be victimised and jailed for years for opposing British imperialism in Like the Shrewsbury pickets, they have been charged under the disgraceful conSpitacy laws-laws that can imprison someone for life for 'conspiting" with others they have never even met before. It is alle-ed ged that they conspired to hoeak something called the Incitement to Disaffection Act: a piece of legslation which gravely intringes the right of free speach in this, our sup posed "democracy. Specifically, they have been charged in relation to a fact sheet for soldiers adfising them on various ways orthodox and unor thobox-of getting out of the army if they dislike the vicious role they are required to play in reinnd.
The labour movement should see the charges in the contest of other repressive measures at present being taken in theis country (and of course in the six north caslern counties of Ireland) against the Barking css: the imprisoning of the Steeusbury pickets; the establishment of control units in prisons; the army 'exercises' at Heathrow and elsewhere which no doubt, among other things, constitate admirable training for strike breaking and preventing a bloodhath in Northern Ireland'. Trade unionists should bear in mind that the day may come when they too could be charged with Incitement to Disaffection if they leafleted troops brought in to break strikes.
So it in essentin that the labour move ment dakes up the cause of the BWNIC 14 and dues everything it can to force the La . bour Government to live up to its Socialist principles and drop these charges. It is equally essential thar all demanding an enci ro British imporialism in Treland recognise that the case of the 14 is their case.
BY PAT ARROWSMITH They are in the dock because BWNIC calls for the immediate withdrawal of British troops from Ireland and an end to the union owen bran and nortorn reland, 11 the charges are dropped, this will be a victory for the entire Troops Out move So far, some small public meetings have been held, a petition is heing circulated, and solidarity action has been organised by a group in Manchester. Recently an open Jorum held in the House of Commons am chaired by Maureen Colqutoun M.P- was attended by about 70 people including re presenta lives from about half-a-dozen peace groups and a number of civil Liberties and felt wing orgunisations: IMG, IS, BPC, TOM and a couple of trade unions.
Two major decisions sere made: to hold a large public meeting with a broad platform, and to organise a mass picket (starting at 10 am) outside Lambeth Magistrates' Court (Renfes Road, London S.E.11) on Monday 3 March the first day to demonstrate support and solidneity for the BWNIC 14. All who want Britain out of Ireland now and an end to the victanisation of these BINIC activists should take time off work that day and join the picker.
Pat Arrowsmith
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of committal proceedings. This will be the first major opportunity