Viewpoints Campaign Against Police Racism | Campaign Against Police Racism |
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Note that if convicted, a charge of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) can lead to a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment; Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), and GBH with Intent can lead to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Read the Cases New Diamond Restaurant - The New Diamond
Five Last year on the 5th of December, 8 drunken white men entered the New Diamond Restaurant in London and began making a nuisance of themselves. When the waiters refused to serve them, they became aggressive and threatening. The 8 white men attacked the 5 waiters who were forced to defend themselves. After the fight, the attackers left and the waiters called the police for help. When the police arrived, they arrested the 5 Chinese waiters and took them to the police station. In the meantime, they had found the 8 white men wandering around in Chinatown. But instead of arresting and charging them, the police charged the 5 waiters for GBH. The 8 white men were asked to be prosecution witnesses. The severity of police racism in this case provoked outcry in the London Chinese community. It was only after very strong protest from all quarters that the police were persuaded to drop the charges against the 5 waiters. However, the 8 white men have not been brought to justice, and the 5 waiters and the New Diamond Restaurant have not found redress for their grievances or injury. A take-away in Dagenham in London had been experiencing harassment from a gang of youths for about 2 years. Each time the take-away staff called the police during or after an attack, they were reluctant or slow to respond. On the 20th December last year, 20 youths attacked the take-away causing criminal damage. The next night, they returned and attacked the owner's elderly mother-in-law. On the 3rd night they came with sticks and attacked the take-away, and on the 4th night, they kicked the window in. Fortunately on the 5th night, their attack was captured on video. Having evidence, the staff called Dagenham police for 4 days consecutively from the 1st January, pleading their case. There was no response from Dagenham police. It was only when the staff eventually turned to Scotland Yard's Race and Violent Crime Unit, did any help or victim support arrive. The question must be raised here: What is the use of the Met's anti-racism campaigns and other gestures when local police refuse to take race crime against Chinese people seriously? At present, out of the 20 youths that attacked the take-away, only one has been charged. In November 1999, a 29 year old white man went to his Chinese neighbour's house and complained that they were too noisy when cooking. When he was asked to leave the house, he dragged the Chinese man, Mr S. who was 63 years old and disabled, out onto the street and attacked him. When his wife Mrs S. saw that the white man had pinned her husband down, she pushed him off. When the police arrived, they first visited the white neighbour. Then they arrested Mr and Mrs S. for causing ABH. This case is pending and is in the hands of Mr and Mrs S's solicitors. The white neighbour remains uncharged. At present this is the case on which the Monitoring Group is focusing its campaign. It is best described in their own words. We ask all Dimsum readers to support this case by sending in their own letters or the prepared one. These incidents show that the police are guilty of negligence, inaction, and false arrest. By listening only to the white person(s) in any incident and assuming the guilt of the Chinese party, the police are clearly acting in a manner that is at very least unwittingly racist, if not overtly racist. In these instances the police have failed to provide an equal service to members of the Chinese community and have failed to protect these Chinese people from the race or hate crimes committed against them. According to The Monitoring Group, the police "turned a blind eye when the Chinese complained of harassment" and that they have an "indifferent attitude" towards Chinese complaints. The Monitoring Group asserts that "such attitudes from the police provoke escalation in harassment and abuse towards the Chinese." There also exists a common assumption that Chinese people do not suffer from racial harassment; that incidents such as those outlined above are not racially motivated but are simply disputes. Suresh Grover who is a spokesman for the Monitoring Group is of the opinion that the police perceive the Chinese community as people who will "suffer quietly". It is our hope at Dimsum that you will help us prove this perception wrong. We encourage you to get involved by writing, faxing or emailing letters of support or protest. Keep coming back to Dimsum and we will keep you updated on what is happening in the campaign, and to whom you should send your letters. If you have suggestion of any other way to make the campaign more loud, or if having read all this you just need to express, please email us: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . Jack will also be attending future meetings organised by the Monitoring Group. If you have any views, comments or suggestions you want voiced, just drop him a note at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it The Monitoring Group is a community, campaigning and civil rights centre supporting families suffering racial violence or policing problems. It is most well-known for its work helping the Lawrence family in their campaign to get justice for Stephen Lawrence. They provide a 24 telephone helpline in most languages (0800 374 618), legal advice and representation from Solicitors and Barristers, as well as Victim Support and Caseworkers. The Monitoring Group
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On
14th February 2000, Jack and Diana attended a meeting organised by the
Monitoring Group. There we learned of the extent of police racism towards
the Chinese community throughout the UK. Four cases were highlighted to
us in particular. We summarise the literature handed out to us and what
we heard.| < Prev | Next > |
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