Letter: Angry and restrained voices in the campaign against racism

Sir: We were part of a group of students from Kingsway college that attended last Saturday's demonstration against racist attacks in south- east London. The demonstration was well organised and much needed. It reflected the real anger of black and white youth to the massive rise in racist attacks and the activities of the British National Party, whose base is in Welling. Young people feel that they must take things into their own hands if they are to stop more racist murders occurring in London.

Your report (10 May) blamed 'Trotskyists' for the violence, but we believe the problem was caused by riot police wielding shields and batons, many mounted on horseback, who broke up our demonstration as it stopped outside the BNP headquarters.

Congratulations to the organisers of the march for one of the biggest demonstrations of black and white youth against racism for years.

Yours faithfully,

MARK NICHOLAS, AMANDA JOHNSON, THERESA MORRIS, ABBY KAIN, SASHA WILLIAMS

Kingsway College

London, WC1