Anti-Fascist activist and SWP member found guilty of opposing Griffin

[Sam_b]

The right to protest against fascists was outrageously attacked on Tuesday when leading activist Martin Smith was found guilty of assaulting a police officer.
Martin is a national officer of Unite Against Fascism and also national coordinator of Love Music Hate Racism.
He was arrested on a protest outside the BBC in October 2009 when Nazi BNP leader Nick Griffin appeared on Question Time.
The magistrates believed a single police witness rather than Martin’s account of the day—which was backed up by extensive video footage.
However, the court did not jail Martin. Instead it sentenced him to 80 hours unpaid work, and £100 payment to the police officer.
We cannot allow anti-fascist protest to be driven back or intimidated off the streets.
The Nazis and the racists should be under attack, not those who stand up to their poison.
The whole movement must rally round those targeted for fighting fascism.


http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22359

Videos of the demonstration in support of Martin can be found here: http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22365

[durhamleft]

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22359

Videos of the demonstration in support of Martin can be found here: http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22365

Do you know when Bennet is at court?

I'm surprised Smith was found guilty- what assault was he supposed to have committed?

[Volcanicity]

Do you know when Bennet is at court?

I'm surprised Smith was found guilty- what assault was he supposed to have committed?
I think it was for Smith kicking a policeman in the balls.

[Batman]

Fair fucks to him.

[Sam_b]

There's the bigger issue here. The demonstrators, especially in London but we also had trouble in Glasgow, were harassed and dogged by the cops all day for protesting a Nazi getting BBC time. It got particularly rough in London. Whether or not an assault was committed (and this is in question, Smith denies it, I really don't know, and whose going to sympathise with the cop anyway?) this is yet more action by the Met to grind down and eventually make protest and any forms of democracy we have left criminalised.

At least community service and a fine is a climbdown from the 3 month sentence that was being touted around.

[Hit The North]

Tell a copper to fuck off when they're man-handling you and they'll try to fit you up for assault.

[Volcanicity]

There's the bigger issue here. The demonstrators, especially in London but we also had trouble in Glasgow, were harassed and dogged by the cops all day for protesting a Nazi getting BBC time. It got particularly rough in London. Whether or not an assault was committed (and this is in question, Smith denies it, I really don't know, and whose going to sympathise with the cop anyway?) this is yet more action by the Met to grind down and eventually make protest and any forms of democracy we have left criminalised.

At least community service and a fine is a climbdown from the 3 month sentence that was being touted around.
Smith is going to appeal,and if hes found guilty he will possibly face a custodial sentence.

[Sam_b]

TBH I will certainly defend his decision to fight.
As an aside, comrades in Workers Power have also written an article:


Martin Smith: fight to drop the conviction

9 September 2010

The courts struck a blow against the right to protest this week when anti-fascist leader Martin Smith was wrongly convicted of assaulting a police officer.

Martin was arrested at a demonstration outside the BBC building in Shepherds Bush London, where BNP leader Nick Griffin had been invited to speak on Question Time in October last year.

The magistrates believed the words of a single police officer above hours of video footage by major news corporations who filmed the protest extensively. Workers Power members on the day who saw Martin’s arrest were also convinced of his innocence.

The courts sentenced him to 80 hours community service, a £100 payout to the police officer and £350 in costs.

Martin told a crowd of 200 supporters at the court “My only crime is that I refuse to bow to fascism and the BNP and the EDL…It’s no crime to fight fascism.” He denied the accusation by the police officer that he had kicked him in the groin.

Among his supporters were many trade union banners and the leaders of the CWU, RMT, NUJ and PCS unions.

For our part, Workers Power gives our unconditional support to Martin Smith against charges by the police and courts.

Mark Serwotka, leader of the PCS union was right when he told Martin’s supporters at the court that this was a systematic attempt by the courts to disrupt antifascist protests. He called the conviction a “travesty of justice.”

UAF secretary Weyman Bennett was also charged recently for the very serious offence of “conspiracy to commit violent disorder.” He is yet to go on trial.

The whole trade union, left and antifascist movement must fight to drop the charges and quash the convictions.

UPDATE 11.30am: Martin Smith plans to appeal against the decision in order to clear his name

***

Messages of support for Martin can be sent to supportmartin [at] uaf.org.uk

A model trade union resolution can be found below:

Support Martin Smith – protesting against fascism is not a crime

This union branch/organisation notes:
1. Martin Smith, an officer of Unite Against Fascism and the national coordinator of Love Music Hate Racism, has been convicted of assault on a police officer following the demo against British National Party leader Nick Griffin’s appearance on the BBC’s Question Time. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 80 hours’ unpaid work and a £450 fine.

2. Martin was convicted by magistrates on the word of a single police officer, despite the lack of evidence against him and ignoring all video evidence that clearly refuted police version of events.

3. Martin maintains his innocence and intends to appeal against the conviction.

4. Thousands of people joined the UAF demo on 22 October last year against nazi Nick Griffin’s invitation onto the flagship Question Time programme. The demo was backed by trade unions Unite, PCS, CWU, Bectu, Aslef, TSSA, the Musicians Union and the South East Regional TUC.

This union branch/organisation agrees:
1. This verdict against a leading antifascist activist is an attempt to criminalise protests against racism and fascism, and could have implications for other antifascist campaigners in future.

2. It is important to stand up for our right to protest.

This union branch/organisation resolves:
1. To send a message of support to Martin and back his appeal.

2. To make a donation of …… towards Martin’s legal costs.


http://www.workerspower.com/index.php?id=47,2541,0,0,1,0