• Tom t was always obvious that the Criminal Justice Act through Parllament. There was little oppositlon from Labour, who seem to be trying to outflank the Tories as the party of "Law and Order". Yet even though the Bill Is now an Act, the police seem reluctant to use their new powers. Perhaps they realise how draconian the Act Is, or are worried they might provoke a massive reaction. Huddersfleld Reaction Agalnst the CJA certainly got into gear when the first two people were charged under the Act in Kirklees. Two men were arrested whilst peacefully protesting agalnst the felling of trees to make way for a new Morrison's supermarket. occupying a tree and the other was about to climb Into one. Their court cases were adHens and pigs are crammed into cages or Journed twice, largely pens with no opportunity for exercise, kept due to mass demonweak and prone to disease. More human strations In Huddersfleld Town Centre and A socialist revolution would create the conoutside the magisWorkers and communities could jointly plan trates' court. Eventuthe production and distribution of goods for ally the charges the benefit of society, animals and the envi- agalnst the two men ronment. The use of animal products could be were droppod. phased out, and alternatives developed. Pro- Nottingham AntI-CJA duction would no longer be for profit, ending Campalgn renewed Its the incentive to use cruel battery methods. At activitles with a mass the same time a planned economy could end trespass of Kenneth Clarke's garden! The Chancellor of the Exchoquer is an MP for, leave peacefully rather than get arrested.
The Criminal Justice Act is an attempt to would go create a smokescreen to divert attention away from the real crlsis in society. This government has presided over an increase in crime to record levels, yet they always concentrate on punitive measures and would rather Ignore the obvt ous problems of unemployment and poverty. They are attempting to scapegoat certain groups of people such as travellers, squatters and party people, In order to legitimise a further Increase In police powers. Alternative Ilfestyles should be defended as an attempt to escape the atlenation of consumerism and the normal 'nuclear' famlly. Squatters should be defended in their atOne was tempts to tackle home lessness, at a time when thousands of properties are uninhabItable and the government is reducing housing stock. Youth need to enjoy parties as an escape from the harsh realitles of life in the ninetles. In fact It Is Tories who are the real criminals, lining their pockets through privatisations, dismantling the wet fare state and selling arms to oppressive regimes.
The act Is also a