VSC Havering

Havering Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (Havering VSC) was a branch of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (VSC) Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (VSC) The Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (VSC) was formed in 1966 as a collaboration between the International Marxist Group and the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation. Though dominated by Trotskyists, the VSC was able to forge broad coalitions across the left through its use of ad-hoc committees to plan specific actions. The VSC’s campaigning activities went into sharp decline in 1969, ceasing to function from October that year. Full page: Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (VSC) , a national organisation that mobilised through local branches and ad hoc committees. Havering VSC formed in September 1967 at a public meeting hosted by the Havering Branch of International Socialists (IS). It worked with members of the Havering Branch of the Young Liberals and the Committee of 100. Committee of 100 The Committee of 100 was a British anti-war group focused on the threat of nuclear weapons. It was founded in 1960, and its members used mass nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience to achieve their aims. Among its members was Ernest Rodker, who is a Core Participant in The Inquiry.   

HN330 'Don de Freitas' HN330 'Don de Freitas' 'Don de Freitas' was the cover name of Detective Sergeant HN330 who was an undercover officer with the SDS between September and October 1968. He infiltrated the Havering branch of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign with HN334 'Margaret White'. Full page: HN330 'Don de Freitas'  spied on Havering VSC, taking on the cover identity of partner in a couple with HN334 'Margaret White'. HN334 'Margaret White' 'Margaret White' was the cover name of Woman Detective Constable HN334, who was an SDS undercover officer between August and November 1968. She attended meetings of various branches of the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign (VSC) and International Socialists before infiltrating the Havering branch of the VSC alongside HN330 'Don de Freitas'. To do so, White and de Freitas posed as a couple. Full page: HN334 'Margaret White'  Havering VSC focused on raising the VSC's profile in Romford and Harold Hill in Essex and mobilising for demonstrations in central London, such as the demonstration on October 27 1968. The two SDS officers infiltrated the group from its inception, attending small meetings in private households and public events. 

Fewer than a dozen members attended Havering's branch meetings, which were held in private homes and pubs in Romford, Essex. DeFreitas and White reported that membership dues were collected, and a branch secretary and treasurer elected. 

The undercovers also participated in the group's everyday work, such as fly posting and banner making for the 27 October 1968 march. Havering VSC did not attempt to go to Grosvenor Square on the march, sticking to the route agreed with police. 

Sources

HN334 'Margaret White' second witness statement. Second Witness Statement of HN334 Margaret White, given in the UCPI, Tranche 1, Phase 1, 5 Feb 2020.View Document