The AYMs were not simply committed to organising against racism from extremist organisations, but organised and protested against racist policing and the criminalisation of youth by the police. These two issues often went hand in hand.
The cases of the Bradford 12, Newham 8 and Newham 7 criminalized by the police when they sought to defend themselves and their communities gained national support and publicity. Following a national and vociferous campaign the Bradford 12 were acquitted of all charges in 1982