DEMONSTRATORS; POWELL RECEIVES PETITION




Initials TS/V/MR/SIM



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Background: IN LONDON TODAY TWO GROUPS -- ONE COMPOSED OF MEN, THE OTHER OF HOUSEWIVES -- PARADED THROUGH THE METROPOLIS IN SUPPORT OF THE ANTI-IMMIGRATION STAND TAKEN BY RIGHT-WING CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ENOCH POWELL. BOTH GROUPS PRESENTED MR. POWELL WITH PETITIONS IN HIS SUPPORT.

MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE SIGNED THE PETITION PRESENTED BY THE HOUSEWIVES AND MANY OTHERS SIGNED THE ONE DELIVERED BY THE MEN -- MEMBERS OF AN ORGANISATION CALLED THE NATIONAL FRONT -- ALL BACKING HIS POLICY THAT COLOURED IMMIGRANTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO GO BACK HOME.

ONE OF THE DEMONSTRATORS CLAIMED THAT MR. POWELL HAD THE SUPPORT OF 90 PER CENT OF THE COUNTRY'S POPULATION.