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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Brian Bennison

Letter: Wilko Johnson obituary

Wilko Johnson playing guitar on stage
Wilko Johnson in 2015. He tore up his Young Communist League card after a Vietnam war protest in Sheffield. Photograph: Tabatha Fireman/Redferns

I have fond memories of Wilko Johnson (obituary, 24 November) as a student activist and a somewhat unorthodox secretary and chairman of the Newcastle University Socialist Society. He came north as a member of the Young Communist League but tore up his party card after a Vietnam war demonstration in Sheffield, where he felt the Communist party stewards had been too eager to assist the police.

On another occasion, travelling back from a demonstration on a bus organised by the Socialist Labour League, he was evicted at Scotch Corner after criticising elements of a speech made by its leader, Gerry Healy.

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