Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/590/7630
From The Socialist newspaper, 12 August 2009
Anti-fascist demo in Birmingham
THE ENGLISH Defence League, a split off from the BNP, and the linked 'Casuals United', said that they would march to the Bullring in Birmingham on Saturday 5 August, ostensibly to protest against "Islamic fundamentalism". In response around 600 people gathered to show that they could not peddle their racist and fascist filth.
The police threw a cordon round the counter-demonstration. At around 6pm it became clear that there was an outer cordon of police in riot gear. Having let some of the demonstrators through the inner cordon onto New Street the riot police baton charged the demonstrators. There were over 30 arrests and several people injured.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the city centre, 50 to 60 fascists had gathered in Victoria Square, where they were hemmed in by police. They were later allowed to march. Eyewitnesses say the fascists ran down Colmore Row throwing bricks.
Our Socialist Party leaflet was well received by anti-fascist demonstrators and local shoppers.
Birmingham Socialist Party member
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In The Socialist 12 August 2009:
Jobs & services - not bankers' bonuses!
Anti-racism
Vestas
Vestas - occupation ends but the fight continues
International socialist news
Thomas Cook occupation, Dublin: "A living lesson for workers everywhere"
Workplace news
Postal workers: National ballot to follow strike wave
Unison witchhunt
Protests flood in against Unison witch-hunt
Marxist analysis: history
August 1969: Northern Ireland explodes - 'the troubles' begin
Socialist Party youth and students
New term approaching for students: Build the fightback!
Demonstrate Saturday 28 November in London
Higher education: Don't make young people pay for funding crisis
Grim prospects for young people
Anti-racism
Anti-fascist demo in Birmingham
International socialist news and analysis
South Africa: A cold winter, but mass action shakes Zuma
Afghanistan: 40 years of failure?
Workplace news and analysis
Defend Corus workers' terms and conditions
Liverpool street cleaners and bin workers strike against fat-cats
Surrey council must buy back these homes now!
Engineering construction ballot
South Yorkshire bus drivers plan more strikes
Labour history comment
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