The victimisation of protesters from the 1990 'Battle of Trafalgar continues apace. On 25 March, nearly one year later, Matt Lee, a supporter of Socialist Outlook, was imprisoned for 30 months on the basis of three minutes of edited police video.
Matt, the chair of the Birmingham Anti-Poll Tax Federation, is one of more than 100 people imprisoned for their part in defending the protesters against a police riot. Thirty remain in custody. The severity of the sentences reveals a clear policy of political victimisation. Though the John Major may have conceded defeat over the PollTax, the state is clearly determined that those arrested are punished in exemplary fashion.
Though the movement against the Poll Tax may now lose some of it's impetus, the labour movement needs to ensure that those imprisoned are not forgotten. Prisoners Support Groups (PSG) have been established on a national and local level to fulfill this role, and have won support from Labour councillors and trade unionists. Lively demonstrations and pickets have been organised to keep the issue alive and in the public eye.
More information on ac ivities in support of Poll Ta› prisoners is available from:
Prisoners Support Group, clo Room 205, Panther House; 38 Mount Pleasant, London WC1.
Birmingham PSG, c/05 Exton Gardens, Blackpatch, Smethwick, W. Midlands B66 2LT Write to Matt Lee: Matthew James Lee MW1054, HMP Wandsworth, Heathfield Rd, London SW18 3HS
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