An alliance of people spied on by Britain's political secret police
Why did undercover cop Mark Jenner infiltrate Hackney campaigns in the 1990s?
The Special Demonstration Squad’s Mark Jenner was deployed using the name Mark Cassidy.
The Undercover Research Group’s extensive profile of Jenner shows the range of issues he spied on – anti-racist campaigns, trade unions, Irish republicanism and Hackney community campaigns. He chaired meetings, wrote articles and instigated action.
Why was he there?
Speakers:
Graham Smith – former secretary of Hackney Community Defence Association, founding member of the Colin Roach Centre
John McDonnell MP – shadow chancellor and social justice campaigner
Female speaker from Police Spies Out of Lives who was affected by undercover policing in Hackney
Mark Metcalf – founder member of the Colin Roach Centre, NUJ member, editor of the Unite Rebel Road and book of the month projects
Friday 26 February
Doors open 7pm for prompt 7.30 start
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Background:
Mark Metcalf wrote There Is No Way Of Knowing How Much Damage Jenner Caused shortly after Jenner was exposed.
“Alison”, an activist who was deceived into a five year co-habiting relationship with Jenner, gave this testimony to parliament and told her story to Newsnight in 2014.