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The following account was written especially for the Bulletin by a “member of the Young Socialists who was recently charged with 'incitement', upon which charge Des Lock received a satence of 15 months. It is important to be om the guard against this particular charge because its use has recently been extended and has also been used against strikers. id. Note.
"The law in this country dealing with incitement to disorder is over 500 years old, it was formulated when boats were wooden and armies fought with spears and bows and arrows. It is still in use today and last week it was used against me.
"It is, however, a thing to be proud of that in the age of apathy the solidarity shown to me by the ranks of the C.N.D. and Committee of 100 was one hundred per cent. I was arrested on the Thursday, and the same night while I was converting two very bored deserters from the army, 20 to 30 campaigners were out— side on the Police Station steps on a two hour vigil. Some of them from as far as Derby I had only known a week or so. There was more to come; I was delivered in handcuffs to Brixton prison to spend a rather boring week end in 'clink,' As far as J knew I was defending my own case and did not intend to accept 'binding over! — that until "my group" in Hammersmith stepped in, (the group I had played some part in forming in January when it had no membership. Now it has 150) When I appeared at the Quarter Sessions, low and behold a barrister was defending me, 12 witnesses and 14 of the group in the gallory.
"I was told to be bound over — or else. Jiven though the evidence proved not guilty beyond doubt, it always seems there is only one verdict where Nuclear Disarmament is concerned — @ilty. I got three years binding over and a further charge of 14 days for failure to pay a &4 fine, Then, although I had not left the court cells, 'my group' was sent round innumerable courts to find me. By the time I got to Brixton again 'my group! had also arrived, and got me my freedom.
" This, I must say was the biggest fiasco I have ever been in, but I an very glad it happenned for how else could I have known what wonderful supporters we have got."