A-Infos (en) Court Report

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     A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
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News here form Edinburgh and Chesterfield about claimants
and the harassment they receive when they try to claim
their entitlement




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COURT REPORT


Mike, a well known campaigner, had often accompanied
claimants who feared harassment from Benefits Agency
workers at High Riggs unemployment benefit office. 

On the 12th June he was recognised when he handed a letter
to Marianne MacDonald, a 'Project Work' interviewer who has
been an enthusiastic perpetrator in the government's drive
to cut benefits. The letter read: "You have already
received a written warning explaining our 'three strikes
and you're out' campaign. Yet you have persisted in
harassing claimants to the point where we have received
another complaint against you. This is your final written
warning. One more complaint against you and we will take
your photograph and transform it into a giant poster with
details of your offence highlighted. There will also be an
angry demonstration held at your place of work and the
Edinburgh media will be alerted. We are sure that you, like
us, hope that there will be no need for a 'strike three'
measure and that you will temper your over-zealous
behaviour accordingly. Sincerely, Edinburgh Claimants and
Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh." 

The sheriff remarked that this was a "sinister offence" and
he was "considering a prison sentence". Although Mike
admits to delivering the letter, he is not himself a member
of Edinburgh Claimants and has not been involved in any
other 'three strikes' activity. Nevertheless it seems
likely that one individual may be made to pay when
claimants fight back against state oppression. Sentencing
is due 11th February. 



As predicted in our November issue, those 42 environmental
campaigners arrested on 31st October 1997 when they
occupied the offices of H.J. Banks the opencast mine owners
in Chesterfield, have now been charged, but not, as this
writer expected, with criminal damage or conspiracy, but
with 'stopping work' section 241 Labour Relations Act). 

As expected, the pretext used for the arrest, burglary, has
not been pursued. Those arrested who were further
'verballed' by the coppers and were thereby connected to
the occupation of nearby Doe House Hill opencast site, have
been additionally charged with 'Aggravated
Trespass'(Section 68 CJA). Pleas will start on 11th
February. 

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