Workers' Institute of Marxism–Leninism – Mao Zedong Thought

The Workers' Institute of Marxism–Leninism–Mao Zedong Thought (known as the Workers' Institute of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought until 1979) was a small Maoist political party based in Brixton, London. It was formed by Aravindan Balakrishnan in 1974 after his expulsion from the Communist Party of England (Marxist-Leninist). Many of its members lived in a commune originally based at its headquarters. In the early 1980s, after a police raid, Balakrishnan decided to move the groups activities underground. Balakrishnan's control over his followers intensified and as the commune moved between several addresses. The group ended in 2013 with the arrest of Balakrishnan and his wife, Chandra, under the suspicion of multiple charges including rape, false imprisonment, and domestic abuse. The three remaining members were taken to safety, including Katy Morgan-Davies who was born into the sect.

The Workers' Institute of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tsetung Thought was formed by Aravindan Balakrishnan in 1974 after his expulsion from the Communist Party of England (Marxist-Leninist). The Workers' Institute began publishing the South London Workers' Bulletin from a south London squat, aiming to build a "red base" in Brixton and encourage the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to liberate the area.

Their headquarters in Acre Lane, Brixton, known as the Mao Zedong Memorial Centre, opened in October 1976. The centre was a commune which housed thirteen people. Other members lived nearby in co-housing. Members were expected to give a share of their earning to the group.

The group came to broader attention when the diarist in The Times in April 1977 reported some of the group's material as an amusing aside. The Workers' Institute claimed affiliation to the Communist Party of China. A document by the group issued in 1977 argued that the British population was moving in a "revolutionary direction". The document asserted, the opening of its headquarters "has taken the British fascist state by storm". Balakrishnan prophesied that the PLA would have launched a revolutionary invasion of Britain by 1980.

The headquarters was monitored by the police. In March 1978, it was raided under suspicion of drug offences. No drugs were found but at least nine were arrested for assaulting police officers, including Balakrishnan. The centre was closed down after the raid. At the trial those charged refused to accept the authority of the court and they were sent to jail for a brief period. After his release Balakrishnan decided to take the groups activities underground. In 1980, the group consisted of Balakrishnan and seven female followers.

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