Over the last couple of years the targets of the English Defence leagues disapproval have been many and varied.Firstly it was Muslims, Socialists and Trade Unionists,they have now moved on to students the anti-cuts movement and any organisation or grouping that could be described as progressive.
In recent weeks they have turned their attention to the Occupy/we are the 99% movement. People may remember there was a plan by the EDL to attack the St.Pauls protest on Remembrance Sunday. This resulted in 179 members of the EDL being arrested to prevent major disorder. In other parts of the country this has manifested itself in threats and violence towards the protesters,it was therefore not surprising when Portsmouth EDL decided to do the same.
People were made aware that something was going on when the Portsmouth Occupy meeting on 7th dec was infiltrated by the EDL.As people were packing up at the end of the meeting someone who was floating around the outskirts of the group announced he had acquired all the information he needed about Occupys activities.
The next day it became clear that there was to be an attempt to disrupt Occupys weekly event on the saturday.Uaf responded with a quick ringround to get people to come down to support Occupys right to peaceful protest.On the day there were about 25-30 people attending Occupys event.When the EDL turned up it was to verbally abuse members of UAF and then to hit the pub. It had already become clear that they were gearing up for a counter event on the 17th December, the 17th-18th weekend was planned to be a specific event for Occupy which became the Youniversity event.
EDL activists were trying to organise a counter-protest to take place against the Occupy event.The language being used was intemperate and frequently violent,and it was becoming clear they were hoping for some sort of physical confrontation.
For UAFs part we needed to affirm Occupys right to peaceful protest,but without distorting the nature of the event.We urged people to come along and support Occupy's right to freedom of speech and assemby without fear.
On friday 16th OP went into occupation of Victoria Park.
The following morning the Youniversity event started at 11 am.
The EDL had been planning on assembling in The Isambard Brunel.However we had tipped off Wetherspoons,and they were banned from the venue.
The counter demo that was supposed to take place simply did not happen.
Several dozen people tutned up at midday for OP's event, to take part in the series of talks that had been organised,there were talks on corruption of the market,alternatives to the banking system, trades unionism and wealth inequality.Over the weekend over 70 people must have participated in the event.There were plenty of lively discussions and by any estimation it was a great success.
As for the EDL on the day there protest was somewhat limited, three of there group walked past looking as if they were going to a This is England pub night.They stood, glowered,gave some constipated looks and wandered off.A little later another two walked past and hung around the main gate for twenty minutes.They decamped to one of their favoured watering holes in Edinburgh rd.There they appeared to spend time on their mobiles attempting to get some support down,but to no avail.
Er.
That was it.
The EDL seem to be in disarray nationally.There has been a split, with The North West Infidels taking a more classical fascist route.Rumours are rife that Tommy Robinson is due to leave.The attempt to march through Tower Hamlets in the summer was a dismal failure. Two years ago they were having marches of three thousand, now they can barely muster three hundred.Whilst the EDL are severely weakened they are down but not out.With the dole queues expanding things could look very different in a few months. There is no room for complacency.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Anti-EDL Rally in Guildhall SQuare.
EDL member giving Nazi salute in Portsmouth.
We'd all been waiting anxiously for the last few weeks for the EDL to descend upon us. In November Anti Fascists had to leg it down to the local Mosque to defend it from an EDL flashmob and saw them off.
The EDLs original plan had been to march into Guildhall Square ,to the War Memorial and lay a wreath.This was greeted with outrage .The EDL rallying to what is to many people a monument to those who gave their lives in the struggle against Fascism was scandalous .UAF lobbied the council and had them banned from both.They then got permission from the authorities for a march through nearby Portsea and back to the Park, immediately behind the war memorial.
UAF was denied the right to march due to giving insufficient notice.It then became clear that the EDL were threatening to force their way into Guildhall Square and hold a rally at the War Memorial.
We responded by announcing that we would be rallying in Guildhall square and defending the memorial, permission or not.Enormous pressure was brought to bear for us to call it off by the local MP Mike Hancock and the Lib Dem council.
Over the last few weeks thousands of leaflets have been distributed, Portsmouth has been covered with stickers and flyposted to build for the protest. Portsmouth Trades Council backed our campaign ,and unions and community groups swung into action Love Music Hate Racism put on a gig to raise awareness and money.
The day before the protest we went down to leaflet the Mosque and were overwhelmed with the way everyone who came out was grabbing our leaflets.We were then informed that at the close of prayers the Imam had told everyone to join the UAF protest in Guildhall Square.
On the day, it poured down steadily and the four or five hundred that some had hoped for did not materialise.We numbered some 250 for most of the day about 320 at some points.However our demonstration was very diverse.The very young, the very old, a large presence from the Muslim community,Trade Unionists ,Anarchists,students and Quakers.Contingents from Southampton and Brighton swelled our numbers.
Weyman Bennett UAF national Secretary received loud cheers from the crowd as he positioned the struggle in Portsmouth as part of a national struggle ,and the importance of building for the National demonstration in Tower Hamlets on sept 3rd.
An open mike policy was in operation and Local Councillors Trade Unionists and others came up to voice their opposition to the EDL.Also a serving squaddie spoke to condemn the EDL.Over a 100 new people signed up to get involved in the local UAF group.
At the same time we had spotters down at the Mosque, we knew that the local Muslim community had made contingency plans to defend it,but in case we were needed we had a standby plan to get down there as before.
The police put their numbers earlier at 150.Well short of the 1500 Edl had confidently predicted.Perhaps it was more, but the footage on their facebook suggests that 250 would be flattery.It was noted by some locals that the racist abuse that they were shouting was not with pompey accents.Whilst our demonstration was made up of locals and those supporters from nearby towns they mini-bussed their people in from Weymouth, Poole, and even as far as Bolton and Leeds.their demo also coincided with a Chelsea friendly match ,so they had a smattering of their London contingent.In reality they could only mobilise about 50-70 from Portsmouth.
At their rally there were two subjects,how much they hated Muslims and how much they hated UAF. They attempted to grab some pieces of scaffolding whilst marching.As they dispersed a contingent of them ran up the main shopping precinct,some say ,not knowing the square was in the opposite direction, turned back and attempted to storm the square.
They were repelled.
For weeks they had been saying they would storm the square and take the War Memorial,when it came to it they just didn’t have the numbers.
Our primary objective was to defend The Mosque and to stop them invading the Square.
We achieved these objectives.
I think most people think the policing of the square was satisfactory.The same cannot be said of the policing of the EDL.They were allowed to lunge forward at the start of the march.When it was due to disperse they were allowed to charge up Commercial Road and to attempt to storm Guildhall Square as they had repeatedly threatened to do.
They were permitted for a short period to be in control of the streets.
Had we not ignored the appeals of the council, the police and our local MPs to demonstrate elsewhere ,what would have happened?
If we had not been in the square there would have been a smaller police presence there,and the EDL would have taken the War Memorial.
I think we have been totally vindicated in our course of action.
Portsmouth War Memorial may not sound tremendously important ,but is of some significance to an anti fascist city like Portsmouth.
Anyway at the risk of sounding pompous:
They did not pass.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Vigil in Guildhall Square: Portsmouth says No to the EDL!
The EDL are landing in Portsmouth on the 16th.Now they have not been given permission to march to the War Memorial, the mask is beginning to slip.Now they are saying they will march whether given permission or not and people had better get out of their way.
On their facebook pages some of their leading members are referring to the police as c***s and saying they will no longer speak to the police and they're going to riot.We should not be alarmed, by thursday they will be speaking again.It's all very familiar EDL brinkmanship and bullying.
The EDL have distinguished themselves by an ability to be both vicious and boring.
We will be having our event in Guildhall Square,a very different event to theirs.
Ours has the backing of Portsmouth Trades Council and a panoply of political and religious groups.
Our event will not be just an anti-Edl event.Ours will be a celebration of multi culturalism and diversity.
Let's turn Guildhall Square into Tehir Square,obviously ours will be a model village version .We can however take some inspiration from its energy and diversity.
We want to have political groups faith groups and community and trade unionists.
We need people to bring musical instruments, poems and prayers and if they wish to, to try to create art and music on the spot.
We need to create a positive alternative to their hate based politics by promoting a vibrant alternative.
Everybody needs to make sure their own communities,faith groups and friends and families turn this into a major event.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104117486347293&ref=ts
Love |Music Hate Racism gig at The Wedgewood Rooms
First things first.Massive thanks to Geoff Priestley and all at the Rooms for their generosity on putting this event on at such short notice.Thanks for him and the staff for their patience,forbearance and all round fabulousness.
Thanks to Ben French for being our events manager,and doing such a fine job and to all at BFEM Events Management Specialists.
Thanks to the talent for such outstanding performances.
We have put on many events before ,but in terms of music and diversity this was unquestionably our best yet : a brilliant fusion of soul, r'n b' Hip Hop and guitar based rock.
Thanks to Maddie the compere for her wonderfulness.Thanks to dj Brett Haley,Lady Emperes,Dreno, Urban Underground, Blessed,Parv,Zinwe and The Rapids.
It was a well needed shot in the arm for those who have been campaigning and was a boost for those building for the 16th.
If i've left peoople out please send an email and i will amend it,my brain is still slightly scrambled.
This I shamelessly blagged from Blessed Artists Facebook.
See you all Guildhall Square Midday 16th July.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
For the attention of The English Defence League,and those who might be thinking of supporting their demonstration.
Letter from the Grandmother of a recently deceased Soldier.
"It has just come to my attention that Portsmouth City Council has recently granted permission for the English Defence League to parade through Guildhall Square on July 16th, in close proximity to the War Memorial.
I write to protest against this disgraceful decision which dishonours our service men and women who have given their lives in the fight against fascism and other extreme regimes, and those who are still putting their lives on the line, and to ask you to ensure that the Council changes its mind on the matter.
Many members of my family gave their lives or were gravely wounded in World Wars One and Two; last month my beloved grandson, Royal Marine Sam Alexander, MC was killed in Afghanistan,where he was fighting,as he firmly believed, to save the people there, especially the women, from the oppression of the Taliban. All of them would have been appalled by the Council's action.
Despite what they would have us believe, the EDL has at its centre a hard core of dedicated fascists. It is is simply inconceivable that such people should be allowed anywhere near the War Memorial.
My family have many connections with Portsmouth, I started my married life to a Naval Officer there, and Sam grew up in Hamble. I simply cannot believe that, in the county I love, the hard-core Nazis,the hooligans and the misguided of the EDL should be allowed to flaunt themselves anywhere near a War Memorial."
Angela Kirby (Dr)
Postscript:Permission has not been given,but the EDL are currently haggling for it.
"It has just come to my attention that Portsmouth City Council has recently granted permission for the English Defence League to parade through Guildhall Square on July 16th, in close proximity to the War Memorial.
I write to protest against this disgraceful decision which dishonours our service men and women who have given their lives in the fight against fascism and other extreme regimes, and those who are still putting their lives on the line, and to ask you to ensure that the Council changes its mind on the matter.
Many members of my family gave their lives or were gravely wounded in World Wars One and Two; last month my beloved grandson, Royal Marine Sam Alexander, MC was killed in Afghanistan,where he was fighting,as he firmly believed, to save the people there, especially the women, from the oppression of the Taliban. All of them would have been appalled by the Council's action.
Despite what they would have us believe, the EDL has at its centre a hard core of dedicated fascists. It is is simply inconceivable that such people should be allowed anywhere near the War Memorial.
My family have many connections with Portsmouth, I started my married life to a Naval Officer there, and Sam grew up in Hamble. I simply cannot believe that, in the county I love, the hard-core Nazis,the hooligans and the misguided of the EDL should be allowed to flaunt themselves anywhere near a War Memorial."
Angela Kirby (Dr)
Postscript:Permission has not been given,but the EDL are currently haggling for it.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Jewish woman leaves English Defence League over its Nazi members.
Even a complete whack-job like Roberta Moore can no longer stomach the EDL.
From the Jewish Chronicle
by Jennifer Lipman
The hardline activist at the forefront of the "Jewish Division" of the extreme right-wing English Defence League has announced that she does not wish to be a part of it any longer because of Nazi elements within it.
Roberta Moore, who has led the Jewish Division since it was launched more than a year ago, was accused earlier this month of being a divisive figure in the EDL.
Ms Moore had attempted to co-ordinate her efforts with those of the far-right American Jewish Task Force, whose leader Victor Vancier has been imprisoned for terrorism offences. The move, in February, was heavily criticised by the EDL leadership.
In a statement which she posted on Facebook, the Brazilian-born Ms Moore said she had been offered work on "an international level" elsewhere and so had decided to step down from the Jewish Division.
Although she described the EDL as "doing a fantastic job" she said the party had been hijacked by elements who wanted to use it "for their own Nazi purposes".
Ms Moore said she still supported the EDL leaders and "all the genuine patriots out there who struggle to get their voices heard" but added that she no longer wished to be a part of it.
"I sincerely hope that the leaders will get the strength to squash the Nazis within," she said.
"They will destroy this movement if allowed to remain."
Mark Gardner, from the Community Security Trust, said: "This latest development shows, yet again, why Jews should not be involved in such circles."
From the Jewish Chronicle
by Jennifer Lipman
The hardline activist at the forefront of the "Jewish Division" of the extreme right-wing English Defence League has announced that she does not wish to be a part of it any longer because of Nazi elements within it.
Roberta Moore, who has led the Jewish Division since it was launched more than a year ago, was accused earlier this month of being a divisive figure in the EDL.
Ms Moore had attempted to co-ordinate her efforts with those of the far-right American Jewish Task Force, whose leader Victor Vancier has been imprisoned for terrorism offences. The move, in February, was heavily criticised by the EDL leadership.
In a statement which she posted on Facebook, the Brazilian-born Ms Moore said she had been offered work on "an international level" elsewhere and so had decided to step down from the Jewish Division.
Although she described the EDL as "doing a fantastic job" she said the party had been hijacked by elements who wanted to use it "for their own Nazi purposes".
Ms Moore said she still supported the EDL leaders and "all the genuine patriots out there who struggle to get their voices heard" but added that she no longer wished to be a part of it.
"I sincerely hope that the leaders will get the strength to squash the Nazis within," she said.
"They will destroy this movement if allowed to remain."
Mark Gardner, from the Community Security Trust, said: "This latest development shows, yet again, why Jews should not be involved in such circles."
Protest Against The English Defence League March July 16th.
A peaceful EDL demo.
Vigil against the EDL
Provisional details 12.00 noon. Guildhall Square.
The situation is still extremely confused,and we are still unsure what has been decided.From what we can gather the EDL are not to be allowed to have a wreath laying at the war memorial-but are to be allowed to march across the square.
After having been given assurances that the EDL would be denied use of council property, it now appears they have been given access to everything.
Below is a comment made by one of their demo organisers posted on our facebook page.
Jaco English
"By the way - The whole Demo has been 'sanctioned' :) We are working closely with the council, who have also given us Victoria Park to hold our Demo. They have also given us full use of coach parking in the city, free of charge. Your cries are falling on deaf ears, you deluded bunch - People agree with us, they relate to us. You are gaining no support - Time to call it a day :)"
Portsmouth Council take a bow.
We will be demanding use of Guildhall Square for an anti-racist vigil.
If we are denied this and forced to go elsewhere we want people to ask why they are being treated with such largesse.
However we assert our right to assemble in our own square.
Please write to the council and The Portsmouth News to ask what the hell is going on.
Vigil against the EDL
Provisional details 12.00 noon. Guildhall Square.
The situation is still extremely confused,and we are still unsure what has been decided.From what we can gather the EDL are not to be allowed to have a wreath laying at the war memorial-but are to be allowed to march across the square.
After having been given assurances that the EDL would be denied use of council property, it now appears they have been given access to everything.
Below is a comment made by one of their demo organisers posted on our facebook page.
Jaco English
"By the way - The whole Demo has been 'sanctioned' :) We are working closely with the council, who have also given us Victoria Park to hold our Demo. They have also given us full use of coach parking in the city, free of charge. Your cries are falling on deaf ears, you deluded bunch - People agree with us, they relate to us. You are gaining no support - Time to call it a day :)"
Portsmouth Council take a bow.
We will be demanding use of Guildhall Square for an anti-racist vigil.
If we are denied this and forced to go elsewhere we want people to ask why they are being treated with such largesse.
However we assert our right to assemble in our own square.
Please write to the council and The Portsmouth News to ask what the hell is going on.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Love Music Hate Racism: Unity Event. 9th July .Wedgwood Rooms
An Event is being organised as we speak the week before the EDL descend upon Portsmouth.We will be celebrating multiculturalism and the fantastic music it produces.
A facebook event page will be launched shortly.
We will update this as soon as we know more.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
No EDL at Portsmouth War Memorial .No EDL in Guildhall Square.
In the last couple of years the EDL have sieg heiled defecated and vomited their way accross the city centres of many towns.Now they want to pay us a visit.
The policy of UAF has remained the same,if they are given town squares we have national mobilisations against them.If it appears they are having their rally at the war memorial inevitably that is what will happen.
Their conduct is well known and it hardly needs to be discussed further.However,the tactics in dealing with their right to protest possibly do.
In recent months rather than allowing them to take over city centres and effectively close them for the local community ,they have been pushing their events into car parks and outskirts facilities.
This has had the effect of making their events less attractive and allowing everyone else to get on with their lives.
Last week in Dewsbury they did much the same and it minimised the impact of their presence considerably.The idea of them at The Guildhall War Memorial would be a huge step backwards.Apart from the fact that it would be unacceptable due to the large number of EDL who have fascist sympathies to use it as a platform,it would give a huge boost to them in giving them the focus they so desperately crave and would pull more of them into Portsmouth from far afield.
The other more salient point would be; What message does it send out? Some would see it as almost a reward for their conduct outside the Jami mosque before christmas,when fireworks, broken bottles bricks and roofslates were thrown at the people who turned out to defend the Mosque.
They haven't even waited for permission they are already publicising this event.This is also the same night as the graduation ball, and they are known for their hatred of students.Their wannabee Fuhrer Tommy Robinson,or whatever he's calling himself this week, seems to think they have a God given right to march anywhere,and that people should adapt to his plans.
At one point last year they were squealing that the incidents outside the Jami Mosque were nothing to do with them.Now it seems things have changed.
The promotional video for their demonstration,above,includes images of the disgraceful scenes outside the Jami Mosque last year.This begs certain questions.
Exactly what kind of people are they trying to attract?
Exactly what will be the nature of their event?
The Guildhall is about 10-15 minutes from the Jami Mosque,and on previous occasions they have broken through police barriers and rioted.To say this is cause for unease would be a masterpiece of understatement.
The presence of the EDL in the town centre is unacceptable.
UAF have protested about the nature of this event at the war memorial ,as has Portsmouth Trades council.
We urge everyone to write to their councillors, the Police, their local MPs and the media to voice their concerns and to demand this event is moved out of the town centre.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Ratko Mladic has some friends.
Most people were delighted at the news that Ratko Mladic had finally been arrested.Most,but not all.
For those who might have forgotten, he was charged with war crimes and genocide.When he was indicted at the Hague Judge Fouad Riad speaking of his crimes referred to them as "Truly scenes from hell.Written on the darkest pages of human history"
He is standing trial for the murder of over 8,000 Muslim men and boys.They were stripped before being murdered and thrown into mass graves.The whole thing redolent of the atrocities of the Nazi Holocaust.
The EDL's messageboards have gushed with comments like "A sad day for the anti Jihad movement".When someone pointed out he was a mass murderer who should be denounced for his war crimes he was promptly banned from the EDL's main site.
This is probably going to be the most sensational trial of a War criminal since the Eichmann trial in 1961.
For the EDL he is a hero.
They are not supporting him because they think him innocent of the charges.
They are supporting him because they believe him to be guilty.
If any more proof were needed that they are just a hate group this is it.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Election Results: BNP Meltdown
Sunday 8 May 2011
This report from UAF
Elections 2011 report: humiliating meltdown for the fascist BNP
The 2011 elections have been a humiliating disaster for the fascist British National Party.
The results are a victory for all the antfascist campaigners who have distributed hundreds of thousands of UAF leaflets and tabloids urging voters to Stop the BNP. And the election disaster will only add to the scale of the crisis in the BNP.
Stoke wipeout
Stoke-on-Trent council, where the BNP had five councillors before the elections, is now Nazi-free, with every BNP councillor kicked out in a complete wipeout.
This follows the BNP’s obliteration in Barking and Dagenham council last year, when it lost all 12 of its councillors.
>> Election 2011 coverage as it happened
Across England’s local authorties, the BNP clung on to just two of the 11 seats it was defending, in Bradford and in Charnwood, East Midlands, where the party’s Catherine Duffy scraped in by just five votes.
In Burnley, the BNP now has just one councillor left – in a seat that wasn’t contested – in the town where it had eight councillors and was the official opposition in 2003.
Two English Democrat candidates – one of them a former BNP councillor – were elected on low votes of just 195 and 231 votes in the Fenside ward of Boston, Lincolnshire. But there were no other gainst for the English Democrats, the whute supremacist England First Party or the old-time Nazis of the National Front.
Votes plummeted
The two seats it has retained are all the BNP has to show for more than 260 candidates across the country. And its votes have plummeted, even in areas it had seen as strongholds.
In Stoke – once dubbed the BNP’s “jewel in the crown” – candidates for the BNP and its mates in the England First Party, took an average of 11.2%, slumping from the 27.4% the BNP averaged in the wards it stood in 2007.
Barnsley, where the BNP has been strong in the past, saw the party stand 19 candidates this time, polling an average of 8.8%, almost half their 16% average across 18 seats in 2007.
Slumped
Around the country, BNP votes have slumped, with candidates often reaching only half or less of the percentages they took in 2007, the last time the same seats were contested. And in cities such as Liverpool and York, every single fascist candidate got less than 5%.
In Wales, where the party hoped to lift its vote to secure a Welsh Assembly seat through the regional lists, their vote slumped from 4.3% in 2007 to just 2.4% this time. In Scotland, the votes for the BNP and the National Front were derisory, averaging no more than 1% of the poll.
Campaigning by local UAF groups and antifascists has ensured an electoral disaster for the BNP.
The victory particularly sweet in Stoke, where local UAF activists and the North Staffs Campaign Against Racism and Fascism have campaigne over months and years to break down the BNP’s support. A huge Love Music Hate Racism carnival in 2009 helped show that the majority of people in Stoke are against racism and fascism.
BNP crisis
The BNP was already reeling from crisis to crisis ahead of the polls. In March, longstanding Nazi and BNP MEP Andrew Brons, warned the party faithful that bitter infighting could bring the BNP to “an ignomius end before the end of this year”, and the party has also been wracked with financial and legal problems.
The BNP stood more than 260 candidates across the country – far fewer than the 655 it put up when the same seats were contested in 2007. And it struggled in many areas to get its campaign off the ground, with activists divided and demoralised and leader Nick Griffin under fire from his troops.
The results will further intensify the crisis and weaken the BNP – its future looks bleak, with more strife to come.
EDL danger
But antifascists cannot be complacent. Alongside the visible crumbling of the BNP over the last couple of years, we have seen the dangerous growth of the English Defence League – the racist thugs with fascists in its midst.
It is clear that BNP members drifting out of the stricken party are increasingly moving into and around the English Defence League, the racist street thug movement whose leader “Tommy Robinson” is himself a former BNP member. The BNP’s election collapse is likely to add to the drain of former members into the EDL.
Bookshop targeted
Fascist elements in the EDL have already been increasing their influence inside the organisation, “hardening up” its members and directing them against other traditional fascist targets, such as trade unionists and socialists as well as ethnic minorities.
This weekend, EDL members invaded the News From Nowhere bookshop in Liverpool – the area’s main trade union and labour movement bookshop – to intimidate staff and customers.
Every antifascist will celebrate the BNP’s miserable election results. But the growth and direction of the EDL are cause for grave concern.
Step up
The election campaign against the BNP has been important not just in driving home the party’s weakness, but also in beginning to undercut the EDL, which is strongest in areas where the BNP has previously had more of a base.
Leaflets like those distributed in many thousands in Stoke have labelled the BNP as the Nazis they are. But they have also argued clearly against the anti-Muslim racism on which the EDL as well as the BNP seeks to build.
We should cheer our success against the BNP – but we must also step up campaigning against the racists and fascists of the EDL.
This report from UAF
Elections 2011 report: humiliating meltdown for the fascist BNP
The 2011 elections have been a humiliating disaster for the fascist British National Party.
The results are a victory for all the antfascist campaigners who have distributed hundreds of thousands of UAF leaflets and tabloids urging voters to Stop the BNP. And the election disaster will only add to the scale of the crisis in the BNP.
Stoke wipeout
Stoke-on-Trent council, where the BNP had five councillors before the elections, is now Nazi-free, with every BNP councillor kicked out in a complete wipeout.
This follows the BNP’s obliteration in Barking and Dagenham council last year, when it lost all 12 of its councillors.
>> Election 2011 coverage as it happened
Across England’s local authorties, the BNP clung on to just two of the 11 seats it was defending, in Bradford and in Charnwood, East Midlands, where the party’s Catherine Duffy scraped in by just five votes.
In Burnley, the BNP now has just one councillor left – in a seat that wasn’t contested – in the town where it had eight councillors and was the official opposition in 2003.
Two English Democrat candidates – one of them a former BNP councillor – were elected on low votes of just 195 and 231 votes in the Fenside ward of Boston, Lincolnshire. But there were no other gainst for the English Democrats, the whute supremacist England First Party or the old-time Nazis of the National Front.
Votes plummeted
The two seats it has retained are all the BNP has to show for more than 260 candidates across the country. And its votes have plummeted, even in areas it had seen as strongholds.
In Stoke – once dubbed the BNP’s “jewel in the crown” – candidates for the BNP and its mates in the England First Party, took an average of 11.2%, slumping from the 27.4% the BNP averaged in the wards it stood in 2007.
Barnsley, where the BNP has been strong in the past, saw the party stand 19 candidates this time, polling an average of 8.8%, almost half their 16% average across 18 seats in 2007.
Slumped
Around the country, BNP votes have slumped, with candidates often reaching only half or less of the percentages they took in 2007, the last time the same seats were contested. And in cities such as Liverpool and York, every single fascist candidate got less than 5%.
In Wales, where the party hoped to lift its vote to secure a Welsh Assembly seat through the regional lists, their vote slumped from 4.3% in 2007 to just 2.4% this time. In Scotland, the votes for the BNP and the National Front were derisory, averaging no more than 1% of the poll.
Campaigning by local UAF groups and antifascists has ensured an electoral disaster for the BNP.
The victory particularly sweet in Stoke, where local UAF activists and the North Staffs Campaign Against Racism and Fascism have campaigne over months and years to break down the BNP’s support. A huge Love Music Hate Racism carnival in 2009 helped show that the majority of people in Stoke are against racism and fascism.
BNP crisis
The BNP was already reeling from crisis to crisis ahead of the polls. In March, longstanding Nazi and BNP MEP Andrew Brons, warned the party faithful that bitter infighting could bring the BNP to “an ignomius end before the end of this year”, and the party has also been wracked with financial and legal problems.
The BNP stood more than 260 candidates across the country – far fewer than the 655 it put up when the same seats were contested in 2007. And it struggled in many areas to get its campaign off the ground, with activists divided and demoralised and leader Nick Griffin under fire from his troops.
The results will further intensify the crisis and weaken the BNP – its future looks bleak, with more strife to come.
EDL danger
But antifascists cannot be complacent. Alongside the visible crumbling of the BNP over the last couple of years, we have seen the dangerous growth of the English Defence League – the racist thugs with fascists in its midst.
It is clear that BNP members drifting out of the stricken party are increasingly moving into and around the English Defence League, the racist street thug movement whose leader “Tommy Robinson” is himself a former BNP member. The BNP’s election collapse is likely to add to the drain of former members into the EDL.
Bookshop targeted
Fascist elements in the EDL have already been increasing their influence inside the organisation, “hardening up” its members and directing them against other traditional fascist targets, such as trade unionists and socialists as well as ethnic minorities.
This weekend, EDL members invaded the News From Nowhere bookshop in Liverpool – the area’s main trade union and labour movement bookshop – to intimidate staff and customers.
Every antifascist will celebrate the BNP’s miserable election results. But the growth and direction of the EDL are cause for grave concern.
Step up
The election campaign against the BNP has been important not just in driving home the party’s weakness, but also in beginning to undercut the EDL, which is strongest in areas where the BNP has previously had more of a base.
Leaflets like those distributed in many thousands in Stoke have labelled the BNP as the Nazis they are. But they have also argued clearly against the anti-Muslim racism on which the EDL as well as the BNP seeks to build.
We should cheer our success against the BNP – but we must also step up campaigning against the racists and fascists of the EDL.
Monday, 25 October 2010
March and carnival against Racism,Fascism and Islamophobia.
London November 6th.
There will be a variety of Artists performing on the 6th Nov.
Some on the March and others at an event afterwards.
The line-up for the Carnival is begining to take shape,but their will probably be other acts involved.
Performing on floats on the march and at the Carnival so far will be Jerry Dammers,Mumsy ,Drew from Babyshambles and LMHR favourite radical rapper Lowkey.
Flowdem,from Must be the Music will be joining their rivals Missing Andy on the bill.
Also on the bill will be Kid British, Abbas Hasan,Tasha Tah and DJ Rugrat.
Coaches are leaving from:
The Hard 9.00 AM
Students Union Cambridge Road 9.15.
Frastton Bridge 9.30 .
Tickets £15 waged.
£10 unwaged.
To book tel:07528839223.
There will be a variety of Artists performing on the 6th Nov.
Some on the March and others at an event afterwards.
The line-up for the Carnival is begining to take shape,but their will probably be other acts involved.
Performing on floats on the march and at the Carnival so far will be Jerry Dammers,Mumsy ,Drew from Babyshambles and LMHR favourite radical rapper Lowkey.
Flowdem,from Must be the Music will be joining their rivals Missing Andy on the bill.
Also on the bill will be Kid British, Abbas Hasan,Tasha Tah and DJ Rugrat.
Coaches are leaving from:
The Hard 9.00 AM
Students Union Cambridge Road 9.15.
Frastton Bridge 9.30 .
Tickets £15 waged.
£10 unwaged.
To book tel:07528839223.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
UAF protest against the English Defence League in Leicester.
Leicester antiracist demo says: ‘EDL not welcome here’
People from across Leicester’s diverse community staged a peaceful demonstration against the violent racists of the English Defence League today.
The EDL have tried to stir up hatred and division by demonstrating in the multiracial, multi-faith city, particularly targeting Muslims.
Their “protest” ended in violence and attacks on the police, journalists and local black and Asian people.
In contrast, over 800 people came to the antiracist protest called by UAF in the city centre today – they included black, white and Asian people, with Muslims joined by Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and people of no religion in an impressive display of unity.
The scale of the opposition to the EDL became clearer throughout the day, as it emerged that several hundred more antiracist demonstrators were prevented by police from reaching the city centre assembly point.
Large numbers
The EDL attempted to attack black and Asian people in other areas of the city, but were unable to as large numbers of local people came out to defend their local areas, including Highfields. Local people also gathered to protect their places of worship and community centres throughout the day.
The UAF event heard speakers from the local National Union of Teachers, Public and Commercial Services civil service union and NHS workers’ Unison branches.
They shared the platform with UAF’s Paul Sillett, Communications Workers Union national political officer Steve Bell, three local councillors, community activist Joe Allen and representatives from the Muslim community, the Indian Workers Association and local Kurdish people.
The Fosse Boys – a well known group of Leicester City Football club supporters – helped lead the chants against the racist EDL. Local bands and performers also entertained the crowd.
Cllr Ross Willmott, a former leader of Leicester City Council told the crowd:
I’m proud to be here and show our city belongs to us all. The streets must not be ceded to fascist thugs.
Cllr Patrick Kitterick also emphasised the importance of turning out on the day to show opposition to the EDL. He said:
When people said “Stay inside and leave the streets”, I said “I will not.” In our diversity, we are beautiful. The EDL say they want to stop the islamification of Leicester. We say we have nothing to fear from our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Andy Connelly, another councillor and joint branch secratary of Leicester CWU, added:
It’s important for us all that we don’t leave our city to the EDL. Our trade unions and everyone need to stand together against the EDL. That’s why this protest is so important.
Speaking after the demo, Unite Against Fascism joint secretary Weyman Bennett said:
Leicester people have made it clear the EDL is not welcome in their city. The EDL have been similarly unwelcome in every other town and city where they have turned up. No-one wants them.
We are organising a major demonstration on 6 November – backed by the TUC, the Muslim Council of Britain and a host of trade unions, MPs, artists, faith groups and campaigners – to say no to racism, fascism and Islamophobia. That will be an opportunity for people to come together from all over the country and show that the EDL, the BNP and their poisonous racist and fascist ideas are not welcome anywhere.
Above report Courtesy of UAF.
Kim Wright of Isle of Wight UAF attended the demonstration below are his impressions of the day.
On Saturday I went to Leicester for the Demo against the EDL.
On the whole it was a good day, however, I did feel the Venue put us in a vulnerable position.
The stewards did seem to have good communication with the Police this time, as all attempts made by EDL to get to us, Failed!
I heard some people saying that we had upwards of 700 demonstrators behind us although in reality I thinks it was more like 350-400. The music was OK but a noticeable lack of speakers.
Nearing the end of the day there did seem to be a few incidents of disruption from the EDL, but didn't really affect us.
Having made my own way to Leicester, upon my return to the train station the police were directing EDL along the same route which included innocent by standers of mixed race, this allowed them to abuse people in their racist thug way without any intervention from the Police. On the platforms there was a distinct lack of policing leaving these thugs to run riot. I had the indignity of having to make my way home on the train sharing it with them. They appeared to be acting in a jubilant manor as if they had won, 'saying they were able to march without any intervention by the Police, it was easy'.
This left me feeling that we were the ones penned in, in a vulnerable position and these thugs were still able to get their own way with the Policing. It would still appear that we are outnumbered by these animals by atleast 2-1. Clearly we still have a long way to go to get these EDL racist thugs off our streets.
Regards
Kim
People from across Leicester’s diverse community staged a peaceful demonstration against the violent racists of the English Defence League today.
The EDL have tried to stir up hatred and division by demonstrating in the multiracial, multi-faith city, particularly targeting Muslims.
Their “protest” ended in violence and attacks on the police, journalists and local black and Asian people.
In contrast, over 800 people came to the antiracist protest called by UAF in the city centre today – they included black, white and Asian people, with Muslims joined by Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and people of no religion in an impressive display of unity.
The scale of the opposition to the EDL became clearer throughout the day, as it emerged that several hundred more antiracist demonstrators were prevented by police from reaching the city centre assembly point.
Large numbers
The EDL attempted to attack black and Asian people in other areas of the city, but were unable to as large numbers of local people came out to defend their local areas, including Highfields. Local people also gathered to protect their places of worship and community centres throughout the day.
The UAF event heard speakers from the local National Union of Teachers, Public and Commercial Services civil service union and NHS workers’ Unison branches.
They shared the platform with UAF’s Paul Sillett, Communications Workers Union national political officer Steve Bell, three local councillors, community activist Joe Allen and representatives from the Muslim community, the Indian Workers Association and local Kurdish people.
The Fosse Boys – a well known group of Leicester City Football club supporters – helped lead the chants against the racist EDL. Local bands and performers also entertained the crowd.
Cllr Ross Willmott, a former leader of Leicester City Council told the crowd:
I’m proud to be here and show our city belongs to us all. The streets must not be ceded to fascist thugs.
Cllr Patrick Kitterick also emphasised the importance of turning out on the day to show opposition to the EDL. He said:
When people said “Stay inside and leave the streets”, I said “I will not.” In our diversity, we are beautiful. The EDL say they want to stop the islamification of Leicester. We say we have nothing to fear from our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Andy Connelly, another councillor and joint branch secratary of Leicester CWU, added:
It’s important for us all that we don’t leave our city to the EDL. Our trade unions and everyone need to stand together against the EDL. That’s why this protest is so important.
Speaking after the demo, Unite Against Fascism joint secretary Weyman Bennett said:
Leicester people have made it clear the EDL is not welcome in their city. The EDL have been similarly unwelcome in every other town and city where they have turned up. No-one wants them.
We are organising a major demonstration on 6 November – backed by the TUC, the Muslim Council of Britain and a host of trade unions, MPs, artists, faith groups and campaigners – to say no to racism, fascism and Islamophobia. That will be an opportunity for people to come together from all over the country and show that the EDL, the BNP and their poisonous racist and fascist ideas are not welcome anywhere.
Above report Courtesy of UAF.
Kim Wright of Isle of Wight UAF attended the demonstration below are his impressions of the day.
On Saturday I went to Leicester for the Demo against the EDL.
On the whole it was a good day, however, I did feel the Venue put us in a vulnerable position.
The stewards did seem to have good communication with the Police this time, as all attempts made by EDL to get to us, Failed!
I heard some people saying that we had upwards of 700 demonstrators behind us although in reality I thinks it was more like 350-400. The music was OK but a noticeable lack of speakers.
Nearing the end of the day there did seem to be a few incidents of disruption from the EDL, but didn't really affect us.
Having made my own way to Leicester, upon my return to the train station the police were directing EDL along the same route which included innocent by standers of mixed race, this allowed them to abuse people in their racist thug way without any intervention from the Police. On the platforms there was a distinct lack of policing leaving these thugs to run riot. I had the indignity of having to make my way home on the train sharing it with them. They appeared to be acting in a jubilant manor as if they had won, 'saying they were able to march without any intervention by the Police, it was easy'.
This left me feeling that we were the ones penned in, in a vulnerable position and these thugs were still able to get their own way with the Policing. It would still appear that we are outnumbered by these animals by atleast 2-1. Clearly we still have a long way to go to get these EDL racist thugs off our streets.
Regards
Kim
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Stop the Edl in Bradford.
Why it is right to peacefully oppose the EDL in Bradford
Statement from UAF
The prospect of the English Defence League coming to Bradford on Saturday 28 August demands a sober and effective response from the anti fascist movement as whole. We wish to explain why we believe it is vital that there is a peaceful multicultural celebration in Bradford city centre on the day of the EDL action.
This is in contrast to the view expressed in the August edition of Searchlight magazine and in the Morning Star newspaper, by Hope Not Hate organiser Nick Lowles, where he argues that banning the EDL march in Bradford “….is our only option and sole focus”.
UAF supports the call made by Bradford trade unions, local community and faith groups for a ban of the proposed EDL demonstration in Bradford on Saturday 28. But we do not agree that this is the “only option”, nor that if “thousands of EDL supporters manage to get into Bradford then we have already lost”, as Lowles’s argument continues. On the contrary, the experience of Stoke and Luton tells us that the EDL are more likely to go on the rampage when there is no public opposition to them on the day of their actions.
Take steps
Firstly, on the call for a ban. In the view of UAF and many others, section 12 and section 13 of the Public Order Act, allow the police to ban both marches and static demonstrations. However to date, apart from one in Luton, the authorities have refused to ban EDL demonstrations. Therefore, in our view, the response to the EDL planned mobilisation in Bradford has to be to campaign for a ban, and at the same time take the necessary steps to put in place a peaceful celebration of multicultural Bradford in the event that the EDL are allowed to assemble there.
UAF has been engaged in serious discussion over many months, with the communities targeted by the EDL, other faith communities, local and national trade unions and many others, to consider the most effective way to respond to these EDL actions where they are allowed to go ahead. From these discussions, clear support has been expressed for ensuring that the EDL are not allowed to go unopposed, and that there should be events held that assert the positive local support for their multicultural, diverse and united communities.
Accordingly, Bradford Unite Against Fascism is organising with trade unionists, faith groups, community groups and others a “We are Bradford” peaceful, multicultural celebration of unity to show that the overwhelming majority of the people of the city reject the EDL’s poisonous message. The event being organised is not a “counter demonstration”.
Solidarity across communities
It will be held in the city centre, and there will be transparent arrangements made with the police, with whom the ‘We Are Bradford’ event is co-operating fully to ensure that there is no confrontation with the EDL. This will demonstrate that Bradford does not welcome the attempts by the EDL to whip up hostility between communities, strengthen the solidarity of all Bradford’s communities against racism, and will also provide the media with a focal point to profile the breadth of support for multicultural Bradford, rather than allowing the agenda to be dominated by the EDL.
In the framework of both mobilizing support for a ban and preparing for the eventuality that this call is ignored, Unite Against Fascism invites Hope not Hate to jointly organise with us a peaceful multicultural celebration on Saturday 28 August in the city centre.
Unite Against Fascism is acutely aware of the huge responsibilities facing the antifascist movement in Bradford given the experience of the 2001 riots and the electoral breakthrough by the BNP in 2004 in the wake of the racist myth about so-called “Asian grooming” of young white girls for sex.
Positive event
But we believe that a disorganised and chaotic response to the EDL coming to Bradford is more likely if the antifascist movement does not fulfill its duty on the 28 August to organise a safe place for all those people who will undoubtedly wish to make their voices heard against the threat of the EDL and in support of our multicultural society. The issue is whether the response to the EDL’s presence is properly stewarded and channeled to a peaceful, positive event – not whether there will be a response. Failure to organise such a response would also send a signal to the EDL that they are free to escalate their actions against the Muslim and other communities without any expression of the breadth of opposition to their message of hate.
We are also concerned at the possible implication of Nick Lowles’ comment that “The EDL is coming to Bradford to provoke another riot. Let’s not give them one.” [Searchlight August 2010] We must be very clear that experience tells us that the EDL does not need an excuse to start a racist riot.
In Dudley the EDL attacked a Mosque, and Hindu & Sikh temples. We also have to emphasise that the responsibility for violence in the town rests with the EDL and not the peaceful gathering organised by the local Interfaith Forum, Unite Against Fascism and others.
We should not give any ground to the myth that the EDL is a legitimate, peaceful movement which is ‘provoked’ into violence. Nor is it acceptable for anyone to imply that people supporting a peaceful celebration of our multicultural society on the same day as an EDL action are in any way responsible for provoking the EDL.
EDL and BNP
If the antifascist movement is to deal effectively with the threat posed by the EDL it is necessary for it to understand the causes of its growth and its relationship to the British National Party.
In the context of a rise of Islamophobia across society the EDL has been allowed to make gross attacks on the freedom of conscience, thought, religion and cultural expression of Muslims including actions outside mosques. If there were demonstrations against Christian churches or Jewish people and synagogues there would quite rightly be widespread outrage and condemnation.
Unite Against Fascism consistently argued, both before and after the 2009 European election, that the election of even one BNP MEP would represent an historic breakthrough for British fascism with serious negative consequences. We now see in Britain an embryonic pogrom movement in the form of the EDL which is a direct product of that BNP breakthrough. There is a de facto far right division of labour: the BNP does the electoral politics whilst the EDL intimidates on the streets.
The UAF has been clear that both these threats must be countered, and was central to the local campaigns against the BNP in Barking, Stoke-on-Trent and other areas of the country where the BNP were successfully driven back electorally.
Intimidating
But, in developing our strategy and tactics we must never forget that the fascists are not primarily a parliamentary party. They seek to impose their views by force – intimidating communities and if they ever come to power eradicating their opponents. Therefore, alongside the campaign of mass action to oppose them electorally, it is also vital to develop a movement that comes to the defence of communities under attack, demonstrating to the fascists that these communities are not isolated and will not be left to stand alone.
We have to reply to the EDL by demonstrating that the labour movement, other faiths, those of goodwill, will celebrate our multicultural society in the face of the fascists’ attempts to whip up hatred, prejudice and fear. We only need to look at other European countries to see what happens when movements akin to the EDL are allowed to grow without this type of broad response. It leads to an increase in racist violence directed against whole communities, including arson and murder.
The EDL is a racist organisation that concentrates on anti-Muslim prejudice as a focal point for racism. It will seek to organise any anti-Muslim current but starts with those, such as football ‘casuals’ most prepared to ‘take to the streets’. Contrary to the media’s portrayal of the EDL as being opposed to ‘extreme Islam’, in reality it seeks to create a street force capable of intimidating and attacking the Muslim communities, and further down the line to pose a physical threat to other black and Asian communities and to the labour movement.
Over the last year the antifascist movement has learned many lessons about how we can successfully celebrate and defend our multicultural society against the attacks of the EDL. In Dudley, UAF worked closely with local communities to peacefully celebrate “one society, many cultures”. This was such a broad and united response that dismay at its success has been publicly voiced by leaders of the EDL. The effectiveness of this campaign, and the support it won locally, was also reflected in a dramatic decline in the BNP vote in the General election in the town and the warm support it received from the local media.
Duty to stand in unity
More recently, the march celebrating Tower Hamlets, on the day of the planned EDL demonstration, brought together the breadth of the antifascist movement, including local elected politicians, faith communities, trade unionists, lesbian and gay activists and all those who oppose fascism. It was the largest antifascist mobilisation for a decade. It was a peaceful, focused and vibrant expression of unity.
We believe that the antifascist movement has a duty to stand in unity with all those in Bradford and beyond who wish to publicly show their support for our multicultural society and their opposition to Islamophobia in the face of a national mobilisation of the EDL. The antifascist movement will not be forgiven if it abandons those people to their fate on 28 August.
Statement from UAF
The prospect of the English Defence League coming to Bradford on Saturday 28 August demands a sober and effective response from the anti fascist movement as whole. We wish to explain why we believe it is vital that there is a peaceful multicultural celebration in Bradford city centre on the day of the EDL action.
This is in contrast to the view expressed in the August edition of Searchlight magazine and in the Morning Star newspaper, by Hope Not Hate organiser Nick Lowles, where he argues that banning the EDL march in Bradford “….is our only option and sole focus”.
UAF supports the call made by Bradford trade unions, local community and faith groups for a ban of the proposed EDL demonstration in Bradford on Saturday 28. But we do not agree that this is the “only option”, nor that if “thousands of EDL supporters manage to get into Bradford then we have already lost”, as Lowles’s argument continues. On the contrary, the experience of Stoke and Luton tells us that the EDL are more likely to go on the rampage when there is no public opposition to them on the day of their actions.
Take steps
Firstly, on the call for a ban. In the view of UAF and many others, section 12 and section 13 of the Public Order Act, allow the police to ban both marches and static demonstrations. However to date, apart from one in Luton, the authorities have refused to ban EDL demonstrations. Therefore, in our view, the response to the EDL planned mobilisation in Bradford has to be to campaign for a ban, and at the same time take the necessary steps to put in place a peaceful celebration of multicultural Bradford in the event that the EDL are allowed to assemble there.
UAF has been engaged in serious discussion over many months, with the communities targeted by the EDL, other faith communities, local and national trade unions and many others, to consider the most effective way to respond to these EDL actions where they are allowed to go ahead. From these discussions, clear support has been expressed for ensuring that the EDL are not allowed to go unopposed, and that there should be events held that assert the positive local support for their multicultural, diverse and united communities.
Accordingly, Bradford Unite Against Fascism is organising with trade unionists, faith groups, community groups and others a “We are Bradford” peaceful, multicultural celebration of unity to show that the overwhelming majority of the people of the city reject the EDL’s poisonous message. The event being organised is not a “counter demonstration”.
Solidarity across communities
It will be held in the city centre, and there will be transparent arrangements made with the police, with whom the ‘We Are Bradford’ event is co-operating fully to ensure that there is no confrontation with the EDL. This will demonstrate that Bradford does not welcome the attempts by the EDL to whip up hostility between communities, strengthen the solidarity of all Bradford’s communities against racism, and will also provide the media with a focal point to profile the breadth of support for multicultural Bradford, rather than allowing the agenda to be dominated by the EDL.
In the framework of both mobilizing support for a ban and preparing for the eventuality that this call is ignored, Unite Against Fascism invites Hope not Hate to jointly organise with us a peaceful multicultural celebration on Saturday 28 August in the city centre.
Unite Against Fascism is acutely aware of the huge responsibilities facing the antifascist movement in Bradford given the experience of the 2001 riots and the electoral breakthrough by the BNP in 2004 in the wake of the racist myth about so-called “Asian grooming” of young white girls for sex.
Positive event
But we believe that a disorganised and chaotic response to the EDL coming to Bradford is more likely if the antifascist movement does not fulfill its duty on the 28 August to organise a safe place for all those people who will undoubtedly wish to make their voices heard against the threat of the EDL and in support of our multicultural society. The issue is whether the response to the EDL’s presence is properly stewarded and channeled to a peaceful, positive event – not whether there will be a response. Failure to organise such a response would also send a signal to the EDL that they are free to escalate their actions against the Muslim and other communities without any expression of the breadth of opposition to their message of hate.
We are also concerned at the possible implication of Nick Lowles’ comment that “The EDL is coming to Bradford to provoke another riot. Let’s not give them one.” [Searchlight August 2010] We must be very clear that experience tells us that the EDL does not need an excuse to start a racist riot.
In Dudley the EDL attacked a Mosque, and Hindu & Sikh temples. We also have to emphasise that the responsibility for violence in the town rests with the EDL and not the peaceful gathering organised by the local Interfaith Forum, Unite Against Fascism and others.
We should not give any ground to the myth that the EDL is a legitimate, peaceful movement which is ‘provoked’ into violence. Nor is it acceptable for anyone to imply that people supporting a peaceful celebration of our multicultural society on the same day as an EDL action are in any way responsible for provoking the EDL.
EDL and BNP
If the antifascist movement is to deal effectively with the threat posed by the EDL it is necessary for it to understand the causes of its growth and its relationship to the British National Party.
In the context of a rise of Islamophobia across society the EDL has been allowed to make gross attacks on the freedom of conscience, thought, religion and cultural expression of Muslims including actions outside mosques. If there were demonstrations against Christian churches or Jewish people and synagogues there would quite rightly be widespread outrage and condemnation.
Unite Against Fascism consistently argued, both before and after the 2009 European election, that the election of even one BNP MEP would represent an historic breakthrough for British fascism with serious negative consequences. We now see in Britain an embryonic pogrom movement in the form of the EDL which is a direct product of that BNP breakthrough. There is a de facto far right division of labour: the BNP does the electoral politics whilst the EDL intimidates on the streets.
The UAF has been clear that both these threats must be countered, and was central to the local campaigns against the BNP in Barking, Stoke-on-Trent and other areas of the country where the BNP were successfully driven back electorally.
Intimidating
But, in developing our strategy and tactics we must never forget that the fascists are not primarily a parliamentary party. They seek to impose their views by force – intimidating communities and if they ever come to power eradicating their opponents. Therefore, alongside the campaign of mass action to oppose them electorally, it is also vital to develop a movement that comes to the defence of communities under attack, demonstrating to the fascists that these communities are not isolated and will not be left to stand alone.
We have to reply to the EDL by demonstrating that the labour movement, other faiths, those of goodwill, will celebrate our multicultural society in the face of the fascists’ attempts to whip up hatred, prejudice and fear. We only need to look at other European countries to see what happens when movements akin to the EDL are allowed to grow without this type of broad response. It leads to an increase in racist violence directed against whole communities, including arson and murder.
The EDL is a racist organisation that concentrates on anti-Muslim prejudice as a focal point for racism. It will seek to organise any anti-Muslim current but starts with those, such as football ‘casuals’ most prepared to ‘take to the streets’. Contrary to the media’s portrayal of the EDL as being opposed to ‘extreme Islam’, in reality it seeks to create a street force capable of intimidating and attacking the Muslim communities, and further down the line to pose a physical threat to other black and Asian communities and to the labour movement.
Over the last year the antifascist movement has learned many lessons about how we can successfully celebrate and defend our multicultural society against the attacks of the EDL. In Dudley, UAF worked closely with local communities to peacefully celebrate “one society, many cultures”. This was such a broad and united response that dismay at its success has been publicly voiced by leaders of the EDL. The effectiveness of this campaign, and the support it won locally, was also reflected in a dramatic decline in the BNP vote in the General election in the town and the warm support it received from the local media.
Duty to stand in unity
More recently, the march celebrating Tower Hamlets, on the day of the planned EDL demonstration, brought together the breadth of the antifascist movement, including local elected politicians, faith communities, trade unionists, lesbian and gay activists and all those who oppose fascism. It was the largest antifascist mobilisation for a decade. It was a peaceful, focused and vibrant expression of unity.
We believe that the antifascist movement has a duty to stand in unity with all those in Bradford and beyond who wish to publicly show their support for our multicultural society and their opposition to Islamophobia in the face of a national mobilisation of the EDL. The antifascist movement will not be forgiven if it abandons those people to their fate on 28 August.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)