“Free-for-all” Row at London Soviet Society

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1948, Page 4

“Free-for-all” Row at London Soviet Society

LONDON, Nov. 12 Chairs were thrown and rubber coshes and-knuckledusters were used at a meeting of the British Soviet Society at Islington, north London. The fight broke out in the town hall, when a Red Army officer, Captain Shierbokov, a military attache of the Soviet Embassy in London, was introduced from the platform; Somebody shouted: “Go back to Russia.” Stewards tried to seize the interrupter. Three of them were knocked out. A free for all spread through the hall. Then someone let off fireworks. Women screamed and made for the doors. When the doors were flung open more anti-Communists rushed in. The fighting then surged into the streets. Twelve police cars, a Black Maria and three ambulances arrived. The injured stewards were taken to hospital. The police detained five men. There were 482 people at the meeting. Each paid one shilling to get in. The money goes into the funds of the British Soviet Society.