LET’S BURY INJUSTICE – Media Release

Halloween Rally, 31st October 2017, Sheffield, 5:30pm

On 31st October 2016 the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd refused to order an independent inquiry into the events and aftermath of June 18, 1984, at the Orgreave coking plant in South Yorkshire.

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign are pressing for an inquiry into police choreographed violence and fabricated statements leading to 95 miners being arrested and charged, only for the trials to collapse due to unreliable police evidence. Neither the police or the government admitted liability for assault, wrongful arrest and malicious prosecutions and no investigation was ever announced with not one officer disciplined for any offence.

Amber Rudd’s reasons for no inquiry were, in summary – there were no deaths, it was long ago, things are different now, it’s time to move on.

Craig Mansell, a miner arrested at Orgreave said: “A year ago Amber Rudd and the Conservative Government shamefully chose not to opt for Truth and Justice in relation to Orgreave. What have this Government got to hide and why are they covering up for the wrongdoings of the past?”

Barbara Jackson, Secretary of OTJC said: “Leon Brittan, the Home Secretary during the Miners’ Strike, made it clear after the strike that there would be no Inquiry into police conduct. Recently released papers highlight Government involvement in the Strike. The arduous task of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign trying to obtain information, with many papers relating to Orgreave not due for release until 2066, makes a mockery of our judicial system suggesting the police and government can behave with impunity”

Halloween Rally

The OTJC has called for supporters to gather in Sheffield this Halloween night 31st October on the first anniversary of the Tory Governments decision not to launch an inquiry into the police riot at Orgreave.

The night will be an action packed occasion attracting a variety of participants including young people and families. We have fire juggling, a giant on stilts and a samba band and coffin will lead the protest. Demonstrators will be entertained with political speeches from a variety of justice campaigns. Fancy dress is encouraged and masks will be handed out at the rally and prizes for fancy dress will be given at the after party. Speakers will be introduced by Joe Rollin, Unite the Union and OTJC Chair and will include:

Chris Kitchen, General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers

Chris Peace, Sheffield Labour Councillor & OTJC Executive member

Helen Steel, Police Spies Out of Lives

Roy Bentham, Blacklist Support Group

John Dunn, Striking Miner & OTJC Activist

Beverley Laidlaw, Public and Commercial Services Union

An After Party will take place at the Shakespeare pub with music, political performance and poetry.

Supporters are encouraged to come along and join the call for Justice and help rid ourselves of this Terrifying Government.

When: October 31st, Halloween Night at 17:30

Where: Devonshire Green, Sheffield with a March to Sheffield Law Court

The route can be found here: https://otjc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/deathofjustice-rally.pdf

 

For further information and to arrange interviews contact: orgreavejustice@hotmail.com