Catalogue Number
NMLH.2025.27.1
Object Name
t-shirt
Title
'Self Defence No Offence! Newham 7 Innocent'
Place
UK, Newham, London
People
Newham 7, Zafar Khan, Khan Bahadur, Parvaiz Kahn, Amjad Ali, Jyoti Rajabbanm, Jamal Chaudri, Habib Mohammed
Description
Pale green t-shirt with black and red text. In the middle of the chest is printed a black raised fist. Above this, in black with red lines top and bottom reads 'SELF DEFENCE | NO OFFENCE!'. Printed beneath the fist, printed in red reads 'NEWHAM 7 | INNOCENT'.
On 7 April 1984, a series of racist attacks took place in Upton Park and Forest Gate, in Newham, East London. This included an assault upon a 16 year old Asian youth, who was beaten with a hammer. Later that day, a group of Asian people gathered outside of the Duke of Edinburgh pub to confront the perpetrators of the attacks. When the police arrived, they arrested an Asian man. They also detained three white youths who had been throwing beer bottles and billiard balls, however they were released that evening without charge. In the following weeks, police arrested a further six Asian men.
The Newham 7, Zafar Khan, Khan Bahadur, Parvaiz Kahn, Amjad Ali, Jyoti Rajabbanm, Jamal Chaudri, and Habib Mohammed, were charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage and affray. The charges held the potential for heavy sentences at conviction.
On 13 May 1985, the trial of the Newham 7 began. Throughout the trial, repeated acts of police conspiracy and collusion was uncovered. Two officers were found looking through defence files, whilst others admitted to having compiled notes together. Although four of the seven men were convicted of affray, the actions of the police had been largely discredited.
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