Free Speech in Danger

The use of the device of remanding people in custody after being arrested for taking part in political demonstrations is increasing. The case of the nine Brighton church demonstrators has received considerable publicity (letters of protest about this case were published in The Guardian, Economist, Tribune and a number of left wing journals; The Sun made 'the question the subject of a front page article), however we have just learnt of another incident. Thomas Carroll, aged 21, and Ernest McDonald, aged 52, were held in custody for eight days after being charged with hehaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace. Their 'crime' was to get involved in an argument with Keep Left Young Socialist demonstrators who objected to their joining in a K.L.Y.S. march along Brighton front. After being held for eight days they were both fined £20 and ordered to pay costs. The whole movement must protest over these cases: today it is Vietnam demonstrators who are being victimised, tomorrow it may well be pickets and strikers. That protests can have some effect is shown by the way the church demonstrators were released after the National Council for Civil Liberties intervened. oy Jenkins promised at a meeting at Brighton that something would be done about such cases; he must be held to his word.