Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/716/14445
From The Socialist newspaper, 2 May 2012
Thug attack won't stop anti-racist work
Youth Fight for Jobs placard on the successful anti-EDL demonstration in Tower Hamlets in June 2010, photo P Mason (Click to enlarge)
On Saturday 28 April trade union activists were attacked by racists claiming to have allegiance to 'March for England', closely linked to the English Defence League (EDL). The Retired Members' Secretary of Lewisham NUT teachers' union was hospitalised as a result.
Lewisham NUT has stated: "that it is no coincidence that this attack should take place just a few days before elections to the Greater London Assembly. Candidates supported by racist and fascist parties are seeking to benefit from the public anger against the effects of the austerity measures.
"Racism and fascism provide no answers to the problems facing young people, nor to any part of our community. Instead of bringing people together to defend their jobs, homes, pensions and public services, racists and fascists make it harder to defend our livelihoods by dividing communities instead."
Martin Powell-Davies, secretary of Lewisham NUT and a member of the NUT executive, is standing as a candidate for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) challenge for the London-wide list part of the GLA elections.
"Saturday's outrage shows that, far from standing up for people's rights, the racists instead attack trade unionists and socialists out campaigning to defend our local communities from cuts.
"As trade unionists, we pledge to defend our union members and our local community from racist attacks and to continue to campaign for the united trade union action which is needed to defeat cuts and austerity." On this basis, the NUT is linking up trade unionists and others in Lewisham.
Martin adds that: "This includes offering a political alternative to racism - but fundamentally to the cuts that are destroying working people's lives. The racists play on this - claiming they offer an alternative when in reality their policies would maintain the status quo. Voting TUSC on 3 May is a vote for a united campaign for jobs, homes and public services for all."
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In The Socialist 2 May 2012:
Fighting the government attacks
Kick out the Con-Dems and end austerity
A strategy to stop austerity and bring down the government of the super-rich
Fight privatisation: Save our libraries
National Shop Stewards Network 6th annual conference
Socialist Party news and analysis
Rich list: The good times roll for the 0.00001%
Leveson exposes links between Tories and Murdoch
Socialist Students
NUS conference Support for left and for action
Housing crisis
Social dumping won't solve the housing crisis
Socialist Party feature
Don't accept the misery of austerity
Socialist Party workplace news
Unison leadership 'woefully inadequate' in face of cuts
Rotherham teachers stand up to bullying
Bilborough College Nottingham strike Action over five-term years
UCU joins 10 May strike - student solidarity needed
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition feature
TUSC: the electoral alternative to the parties of the rich
Socialist Party campaigns
Thug attack won't stop anti-racist work
Socialist MEP discusses way forward for Tamils struggle
Sheffield marches against sexism and cuts
International socialist news and analysis
Capitalist crisis: 'Up to half of all Icelandic families are bankrupt'
Kazakhstan: Socialists jailed by regime
Environment and socialism
The government's fractured energy policy
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