British cops target striking dockers, supporters


Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit

Tue, 30 Sep 1997 18:24:01 -0500
source:chrisbailey@gn.apc.org


Massive police presence and arrests at dockers support actions

Kent police have entered the Port of Sheerness seeking to evict Liverpool
dockers and their supporters who have occupied cranes as a vessel is due
to arrive. Outside the gate, seventy dockers and several hundred
supporters are picketting in the face of a massive police presence
including special tactical squads. 

TGWU auto transport drivers employed by Axial have refused to bring car
imports out through the picket line, and have left the port in a fleet of
transporters empty handed. Drivers from a second firm Walons have refused
to enter the port. Drivers from ECM crossed the picket line, in line with
their history of previous attacks on Axial. 

Sheerness has been targetted on the second anniversary of the Liverpool
dockers lockout because the port is 100% owned by Mersey Docks and Harbour
Company. 

The deputy manager of the fruit terminal acknowledged that actions were
being taken in South Africa against exports to Sheerness, which he found
"very disturbing". 

Meanwhile, a group of 20 members of Reclaim the Streets occupied the roof
of the Department of Trade and Industry in London in solidarity with the
dockers, while 50 others entered the building according to an RTS member
who phoned the dockers office in Liverpool. With two helicopters circling
overhead and a massive police presence on the ground, all traffic was
blocked off. According to BBC Radio Merseyside, the occupation ended with
27 arrests who were taken to Charing Cross police station. Reclaim the
Streets originally intended to travel to Sheerness but were intercepted by
police at Victoria Station this morning. 
 
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nytlab-10.01.97-16:10:19-23268