Race Riots (2001) - the punishment (2002)
Heavy sentences for young Asians
1. Blind to injustices
In Sept 02, the British Home Secretary (David Blunkett), speaking on his home turf in Sheffield recalled the Bradford riot in July 2001 when Asian youth confronted assorted racist gangs. A number of these Asians were put on trial and heavily sentenced (up to 8 and half years in one case). So was Blunkett sympathetic to the victims for defending themselves? Hardly - he called these Asians 'maniacs' who should stop 'whining' about their sentences.
Said Herman Ouseley, former chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, in the Guardian:
"Compared with similar or worse cases, the severe sentences to the young people of Bradford are undeniably unfair and possibly racist... The Home Secretary is under obligation to examine the evidence of discriminatory treatment. It makes no sense to make offensive remarks about those who are legitimately questioning the severity of the sentencing."
2. Whites receive lighter sentences
A leader of the Nazi National Front who launched the disturbances got a lower sentence than the Asians who defended themselves against the racists. But Blunkett didn't call him or the NF 'maniac'.
Blunkett’s remarks were reported on the same day that two of the Stephen Lawrence’s suspects (Acourt and Norris) got 18 months for trying to run down an off-duty black police officer in South London. The comments also came just a week after the racist killing of Iranian asylum seeker, Peiman Bahmani in Sunderland.
But no label like ‘maniac’ was attached to the racists.
There is a marked difference between the sentences served to the Asians from Bradford and to the whites in the Burnley riot. The average sentence to the 26 white men was 2 years, 2 months – less than half what Asians from Bradford received. Asians have been getting 4 years and a half for picking up a stone and not even throwing it.
Amjid Rashid, aged 22, received an outrageous sentence of 8 years a half after pleading not guilty to taking part in the Bradford clash - a sentence higher even than those handed in Northern Ireland for similar offences. Some others:
- one jailed for 18 months merely for holding a stick as a gang of white men tried to invade the area. He was 17 in 2001 and had no previous convictions.
- 5 years (throwing missiles), 4 years, 9 months (throwing 2 stones), 4 years (throwing 3 stones), 4 years, 9 months (throwing 2 stones), 11 months (picking up but not throwing 2 stones).
Over 60 men have already been jailed for up to 5 years. There is a burning sense of injustice in the Bradford Asian community. Said one:
“They claim I was directing a riot. The only evidence is a picture of me using a mobile phone. My brother has already been sent down for 5 years. I am the sole breadwinner for my wife, 6-month old child and parents. My dad is disabled.”
One 17-year old sentenced to 4 and half years had it cut to 18 months on appeal. Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton thought the sentences were politically motivated.
3. Video evidence
Six Asians are the first to go on trial in Preston, Lancs, over the riots in Burnley (June 01). All 6 are pleading non-guilty to charges of violent disorder and carrying offensive weapons. The jury is all-white.
A video taken on Sunday 24 June 01 was shown in court showing groups of white men attacking Asians. (On Friday night, an Asian cab driver had been beaten unconscious. His attackers were arrested and bailed the next day.)
The video (from CCTV, police helicopters and police videocam crews) shows a group of white men gathered round a pub getting drunk, becoming violent and giving Nazi salutes. They then move down the road past Asian areas. They try to attack a mosque but are prevented by police. A second bigger group, some 50 strong, gathers. Some of them go on a rampage through the town centre and battle with the police. In the Burnley Wood area, a gang of whites ransack Asian houses and businesses. They enter a family’s home, come out with a TV set and the set fire to the place. They break in the shop doors and set fire. In one shop an Asian family lives upstairs. The white gang do not get stopped all night.
Some 50-100 Asians are shown on the video barring the whites gang. Some have picked the nearest things available such as cricket stumps from the game they have just been playing. The Asians do not attack. They confront the group, saying: ‘We will not let you pass’. When the police said that the situation was under control, the Asians dispersed.
Local solidarity – Local people have set up a campaign to support all the young Asians charged over last year’s riots. Already 1800 of 4000 people in one area have signed a petition which reads: ”The young men acted in defence of the community and we entirely support their actions. The police were outnumbered and unable to protect the area.”
In October 02, the jury in Preston Crown Court unanimously rejected the the 12 charges against the Burnley Asians who had defended their community from racist attack. Said Mohamed Nawaz who was acquitted: "The prosecution said the white were just drunken yobs but we have seen such yobs before." Unfortunately, 3 of the Asians were found guilty of violent disorder over an incident involving the police. They will be sentenced in November 02.
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