Far right thrown out of Newcastle

Anti-racism demo 18.3.17, photo Mary Finch

Anti-racism demo 18.3.17, photo Mary Finch   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

On 29 July Socialist Party members found out that remnants of the north east’s divided far-right organisations were planning a demonstration in Newcastle city centre. It wasn’t long until we discovered them at Grey’s Monument.

What made this event completely different was that before any organised left groups appeared, working class people began to challenge the hateful ideas and speech flowing from behind the banner of the ‘Northern Nationalists’.

Vile anti-Catholic and anti-Irish abuse was hurled at passing Celtic football fans making their way to a match in Sunderland. Northumbria Police did absolutely nothing about any of the abuse, instead issuing numerous warnings to working-class people expressing revulsion at the hate speech being poured out.

The demonstration ended after only 40 minutes.

We commend all who stood in unity, solidarity and participated in the counter-demonstration which far outnumbered that of the Northern Nationalists.

Many people expressed an interest in joining the Socialist Party, we raised £21.87 for our fighting fund and let the far-right know that their ideas will not be tolerated here without a fight!

Northern Socialist Party