BNP forced to abandon its 'festival of hate'

THE RACIST British National Party (BNP) has been forced to call off its annual Red, White and Blue 'festival of hate' which usually takes place in Codnor, Derbyshire.

Pete Watson, Notts Stop the BNP (NStBNP)

The cancellation of this vile event is due to the persistent campaigning by anti-racists and anti-fascists.

Two years ago Notts Stop the BNP produced 40,000 leaflets to mobilise people against the festival. We campaigned for Amber Valley council not to grant a live music and alcohol licence.

The pressure told with the police opposing the licence unless strict conditions were met. The BNP withdrew its application and then attempted to obtain a different licence which was refused.

NStBNP sought to draw in local people in as broad a campaign as possible to prevent the festival. We sought, with great difficulty, to work with Unite Against Fascism to make the event as united and effective as possible.

In the end 500 protestors marched close to the festival site. The festival did take place that year, but under police protection. The Public Order Act was used to confine the protesters and make any public assembly unlawful within five miles of the festival site.

But following the event, new local anti-racist and anti-fascist groups were established in Derby and Amber Valley.

In 2009 the protest returned and trebled in size to 1,500, mobilised by Notts Stop the BNP, UAF and local Derbyshire groups.

The effect was greater than 2008, with roads being blocked for a period of time.

The BNP is in disarray following the May elections; they lost council seats and their 'fuehrer' Nick Griffin failed to win the Barking MP's seat in the general election.

However, the BNP and the far right won't disappear despite the festival victory. Its support is based on the bankruptcy of the established parliamentary parties, which can only be cut across by workers' unity in struggle against attacks on living standards and for workers to have a mass political party of their own.

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