PHIL MAXWELL

In 1985 7 Asian youths from Newham were arrested by the police and  charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage and affray. At the same time a series of racist attacks had occured which the police did virtually nothing about. As a result, on 15 June 1984, the Newham 7 Defence Campaign was officially launched at a packed local public meeting. On 11 May 1985, over 2000 people participated in a peaceful demonstration that completed its route to Plashet Park. “In a tense atmosphere, the manhandling by police of one black youth led to confrontation, the emergence of officers on horseback and riot officers who charged into the park. It appeared that this had been deliberately engineered: three to four white men in ordinary clothes were seen throwing sticks at the police; but were later seen behind police lines with police radios. Later, riot officers paraded along Green Street and East ham High Street North in a show of strength” (Newham Montoring Project).You can read all about the Newham 7 here: http://www.nmp.org.uk/timeline/newham-7-and-the-pryce-family/

These photographs were taken at the demonstration.

Newham 1985

Newham 1985

Newham 1985

Police charge into demonstrators. Newham 1985

Police charge into demonstrators. Newham 1985

Police arrest a demonstrator Newham 1985

Police at the demonstration Newham 1985

Newham 7 demonstration 1985

Newham 1985

Newham 1985

Newham 7 demonstration 1985

Newham 7 demonstration 1985

Police in Plashet park, Newham 1985

Police in Plashet park, Newham 1985

Police horses just outside Plashet park,Newham 1985

Children play on swings in Plashet park, Newham 1985