The Mangrove Nine Trial stands as a pivotal event in the history of Britain’s Black Power movement. This landmark trial exposed the racial discrimination and police harassment faced by the black community in Notting Hill, London. In this article, we delve deep into the background of the case, the key players involved, the events leading up to the trial, and its lasting impact on the fight against racism in Britain.
Background
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Black Power movement in Britain was gaining momentum. Black individuals of Caribbean, African, and South Asian descent – mostly from former British colonies – were coming together to protest against racial discrimination and police harassment. The Mangrove Nine Trial played a crucial role in highlighting these issues and challenging the authorities’ attempts to discredit the movement.
The Mangrove restaurant
At the heart of this story lies the Mangrove restaurant in Notting Hill, owned by Trinidad-born community activist Frank Crichlow. The Mangrove was a hub for the Caribbean community and attracted celebrities from both black and white backgrounds. However, due to Crichlow’s involvement in the Black Power movement, the police targeted his restaurant, raiding it twelve times between January 1969 and July 1970 without finding any evidence of illegal activity.
The Race Relations Board complaint
In response to the relentless police harassment, Crichlow filed a complaint with the Race Relations Board, accusing the police of racial discrimination. His employee, Darcus Howe, a Trinidad-born Black Power activist, urged Crichlow to collaborate with the British Black Panthers (BBP) in London to organise a demonstration against the harassment of the Mangrove.
The protest and arrests
On 9 August 1970, over 150 protestors marched to local police stations to voice their concerns about the relentless harassment. They were met with a force of 200 police officers, who initiated the violence that ensued. Nine protest leaders were arrested and charged with incitement to riot:
- Frank Crichlow
- Darcus Howe
- Althea Jones-Lecointe
- Barbara Beese
- Rupert Boyce
- Rhodan Gordon
- Anthony Innis
- Rothwell Kentish
- Godfrey Millett
The trial
The nine defendants were brought to trial at the Old Bailey, a historic London court typically reserved for the most severe criminal cases. They adopted a radical legal strategy, with Howe and Jones-Lecointe defending themselves and arguing that the trial was politically motivated. Radical lawyer Ian McDonald represented Beese and coordinated the defence with the other defendants’ lawyers.
The jury selection
During the jury selection process, Howe and McDonald argued for an all-black jury under the Magna Carta’s “jury of peers” clause. They cited case law that allowed Welsh miners to have an all-Welsh jury, which led to the practice of selecting juries from the defendant’s neighbourhood. The conservative judge rejected these arguments, and the defence dismissed sixty-three potential jurors, ensuring that only two black jurors were included in the twelve-person jury.
The testimonies
Throughout the fifty-five-day trial, Jones-Lecointe detailed the police persecution of Notting Hill’s black community, while Howe exposed inconsistencies in police testimony. One police officer had to leave the courtroom after being caught signalling to prosecution witnesses as they testified. Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, the BBP organised pickets and distributed flyers to garner public support for the defendants.
The verdict and its impact
The jury acquitted all nine defendants of the charge of rioting. Five were acquitted of all charges, while the remaining four – Boyce, Gordon, Innis, and Jones-Lecointe – received suspended sentences for lesser offences, such as affray and assaulting police officers. However, it was Judge Edward Clarke’s closing comments that left a lasting mark on the trial’s legacy.
Acknowledging evidence of racial hatred on both sides, Judge Clarke’s statement was the first judicial recognition of racism within the Metropolitan Police. This verdict sent a clear message to the British establishment not to overstep its bounds when charging demonstrators. It provided a morale boost to those fighting against police racism in Britain.
The legacy of the Mangrove Nine trial
The Mangrove Nine Trial profoundly impacted the fight against police racism and racial discrimination in Britain. It brought attention to the systemic issues faced by the black community and set a precedent for challenging racial discrimination in the legal system.
The public response
Members of the jury celebrated the verdict with the defendants outside the Old Bailey, highlighting the widespread support for the Mangrove Nine. Their case resonated with many who saw it as a turning point in the fight for racial justice in Britain.
The police reaction
The Metropolitan Police were unhappy with the trial’s outcome and sought to have the judge retract his comments. However, they were unsuccessful in their attempts, and the verdict stood as a testament to the power of collective action against racial discrimination.
The lasting impact on racial justice
The Mangrove Nine Trial demonstrated that the fight for racial justice could be won through a combination of grassroots activism, legal strategy, and public support. It marked a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle against racism and police harassment in Britain and contributed to the broader conversation around racial equality.
Conclusion
The Mangrove Nine Trial remains essential to Britain’s Black Power movement’s history. The trial not only exposed the racial discrimination and police harassment faced by the black community in Notting Hill but also demonstrated the power of collective action and legal strategy in challenging these injustices. As we look back on this landmark trial, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for racial justice and the importance of standing together against discrimination and prejudice.
