Doing some
research/recollecting the movement against what became the Criminal Justice and
Public Order Act 1994 with its notorious police 'powers in relation to raves'.
There were three large demonstrations against the Criminal Justice Bill/Act in
London - on May Day 1994, 24th July 1994 and 9th October 1994.
This leaflet is
for the second demonstration, from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 24
July. Estimates of the numbers attending ranged from 20,000 (police) to 50,000
(organisers).
 |
| 'Supported by Bernie Grant MP, Tony Benn MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Paul Foot, Arthur Scargill (NUM President), Brenda Nixon (Women Against Pit Closures), Winston Silcott Campaign, Justice, Advance Party, Socialist Workers Party, No M11 Campaign, Hunt Saboteurs Association, Forgive us our Trespasses, Mike Mansfield QC, Squall' |
Politically there
were a number of tensions - the established Left, the SWP in particular, had
woken up to the emerging movement. Their organisational skills may have helped
increase the turn out, but some complained that something that was fresh and
creative was being funnelled back into the traditional routine of A to B marches
with speeches at the end.
If
there were any speeches at the end though, I certainly don't remember them.
Trafalgar Square felt like a big party (though I don't think any sound systems
were present other than cycle powered Rinky Dink), with people playing in the
fountains on a sunny day.
 |
| 'I squat therefore I am' - the proposed laws targeted squatters as well as free parties |
There were some clashes with police in Whitehall, after
some people tried to scale the gates guarding the entrance to Downing Street.
Police on horseback charged the crowd there, and 14 people were
arrested.
(all photos taken by me on the day - anyone got any
memories of this demo or the others? -more to come!)
See also: Report on this demo from Eternity magazine
See also: Report on this demo from Eternity magazine
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