Protest racist British state: Free the Manchester 10!

Ten black youth were thrown in prison in 2022 because of a group chat on Telegram. The Manchester 10 exchanged messages following the murder of their friend in November 2020. The boys, seven of whom were aged 17 at the time of the murder, were using the group chat to vent their shock, grief and anger at the sudden, violent loss of their friend. But to the racist British state, their text messages and music were evidence of “gang” activity, and conspiracy charges were used to railroad them to prison. Four were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and jailed for 20-21 years; six with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, jailed for eight years.

Two of the 10 allegedly were found at later violent incidents. None of the 10 committed murder. As a statement by Kids of Colour put it: “There is no victim at the centre of this case.” One of the boys, Ade Adedeji, now two years into an eight-year sentence, only participated in the group chat for a few minutes. But no matter, the cops had what they wanted, seizing on texts, drill music lyrics and other features of normal black youth culture to criminalise the 10 and put them away. Manchester MP Lucy Powell condemned the prosecution’s use of “gang narratives”, built on “racialised assumptions, loose associations and outdated or inaccurate stereotypes of inner-city neighbourhoods”.

The 10 have a final appeal hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice, London, on 19 and 20 December and their supporters are calling for a mobilisation of support. Be there!

Why the multiracial working class has an interest in supporting the Manchester 10

Use of stop and search, knife crime prevention measures and “joint enterprise” laws comprise a web of police state machinery for the purpose of tracking, entrapment and jailing of young black men. Black parents live in constant worry about the next time their child is stopped by the cops. And the sinister use of “conspiracy” charges means no actual crime needs to have occurred.

The British state has been steadily amassing laws to criminalise speech and protest. The use of anti-terror legislation has enabled a police dragnet aimed at quashing protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the British rulers’ support to it. Muslim organisations are hounded and banned; pro-Palestinian speeches are evidence of “supporting terrorism”. Climate activists are targeted as well. In July, five Just Stop Oil protesters were jailed for “conspiracy” to block a motorway.

Workers fighting for their own class interests require tactics like mass picket lines during strikes: the state will declare such a tactic to be in breach of laws banning obstruction; stopping scabs is criminal “abuse”. The entire multiracial working class has a burning interest in pushing back against judicial terror. The trade union movement must mobilise to free the Manchester 10.

Come to the Royal Courts of Justice on 19-20 December and demand: Free the Manchester 10! Overturn the convictions now!