Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/454/5451
From The Socialist newspaper, 14 September 2006
Campaigning against the far-right BNP
Lincoln
AS WE arrived at our usual spot for Lincoln's Saturday Socialist party stall, around ten BNP members were there with their Union Jack flags. They're usually further down the street but this time, it was a head-to-head as the weather forced them under shelter.
Nick Parker
The seven Socialist Party members who arrived for our stall set up quickly to continue our local campaign against NHS cuts and the BNP.
Our relatively new branch has developed valuable experience over the last few months in our street campaigning, and this was shown on Saturday. We sold 28 copies of the socialist, met lots of people keen to get involved in our campaign, and sold out of the YRE/ISR anti-BNP packs.
At times crowds of young people surrounded us, wanting stickers and leaflets to distribute. The BNP activists retreated with their tails between their legs after about 20 minutes.
Next Saturday, we start the broader Lincoln Against Racism and Fascism campaign. From the response we've got already, it's clear that the arguments we heard against a 'political' anti-fascist campaign are simply a smokescreen to protect Labour from criticism.
The campaign will put forward the need to establish a new workers' party. This could unite thousands of working people against fascism, but it would need to take on the Labour government and their big business backers armed with a socialist programme against cuts in services and for decent jobs, homes and pay for all.
Maryport, Cumbria
TWO SOCIALIST Party members - Duncan Money, 18, and Jonathan Wood, 17 - in Maryport, Cumbria held a very successful public meeting warning local people of the dangers and lies of the British National Party (BNP) who have started a local branch.
The BNP were clearly unnerved by this move. Their national press officer spent 1.5 hours on the phone to the local newspaper complaining bitterly about the meeting.
If two teenagers organising a local meeting can get this response from a national party, that party has something to hide! The meeting was so popular that the venue had to be changed to a room with a larger capacity.
Around 50 people filled the room to hear how the BNP try and hide their extremism and speakers exposing the myth that the BNP stand up for ordinary people. A motion was passed in support of setting up a local group to combat the BNP both at elections and whenever the party tries to spread its lies.
Many people spoke of their relief that someone was standing up to the BNP. One person expressed interest in joining the Socialist Party.
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In The Socialist 14 September 2006:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
NHS Logistics workers vote to strike against privatisation
Our prescription - a socialist NHS!
Opposition forces Trusts to retreat
Socialist Party campaigns
Globalisation - what it is and how to fight it!
Campaigning against the far-right BNP
Don't sign 'good behaviour' contracts
Socialist Party workplace news and analysis
Blair's last TUC conference - good riddance!
Public sector workers' anger gets a hearing
Build the campaign to save Burberry
Agency workers vote 100% for union recognition
International socialist news and analysis
Calderon confirmed as president but opposition protests continue
Brutal attack by company thugs on CWI members in Almata
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