• Home /
• Statewatch Database /
• UK: Anti-BNP demonstrators jailed

UK: Anti-BNP demonstrators jailed

01 September 1995

Nine men who took part in a demonstration demanding the closure of the fascist British National Party (BNP) headquarters in southeast London in October 1993 have been found guilty of riot charges (see Statewatch, vol 3 no 6). They were jailed for periods of between 16 months and three years at Maidstone Crown Court in September. A tenth man received community service. The sentences were greeted with anger by anti-racists who recalled that violence only broke out after the police prevented the march from passing by the BNP premises be sealing off all entrance or exit routes. Having trapped the march provocative charges by riot police with batons and extensive filming of demonstrators led to confrontations which lasted for several hours. Over the following weeks a massive media campaign was launched to track down people accused of rioting. The Anti-Nazi League, which was one of the organisers of the march, have called for messages of support for the prisoners. Three are being held at HMP Elmley, Church Road, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME12 4AY: they are Karl Anacoura (RN 0599), Sanjiv Karla (RN 0598) and Stephen Kelly (RN 0318). Five are detained at HMP Canterbury, 46 Longport, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1PJ; they are Paul Gay (RN 0593), Mark Gay (RN 0594), Charles Ryder (RN 0595), Russel Wild (RN 0597) and John McFeely (RN 0596). Socialist Worker 23.9.95.