All Campaigns subcategories:
Anti-fascist keywords:
Fascism
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: EDL - Racist - Leicester - Socialist - UAF - Socialist Party - Unite Against Fascism - English Defence League - Fascism
Keep the racist EDL out of Leicester
Steve Score, East Midlands Socialist Party
The 'English Defence League' (EDL) is threatening to visit Leicester on Saturday 4 February. The last time they came, in October 2010, they attacked shoppers and smashed city centre shops. They also broke away from police control and attempted to march on Highfields, an area with a large Muslim population.
The only thing that stopped them was a mass mobilisation of local people including up to 2,000 Asian young people. Socialist Party members and other anti-racists stood side by side with the local youth defending their area. At the same time anti-racist protesters who joined the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) rally against the EDL were kettled in by police.
The EDL is a racist organisation that claims to only oppose "Muslim extremism". In reality their actions on such demonstrations as this prove otherwise. They use Muslims as a scapegoat, but try to win support among people who are looking for someone to blame for the problems they face - unemployment, poor services and attacks on living standards.
They aim to divide working class people and must be opposed with a political answer. However because they bring their racist thugs on these 'protests'- the issue of physical defence is necessarily raised.
A counter demonstration has been called by trade unions and UAF, which will be well supported. However, there is concern that people do not want a repeat of last time when the UAF was kettled but the EDL was allowed to attack people. There is also a desire in the local communities for self defence.
Self defence
The Socialist Party supports the right of self defence of communities, and believes that a mobilisation will be needed in Highfields and St Matthew's on the day. Ideally we need enough people mobilised to defend these areas and to prevent the EDL rampaging through the city centre on the day.
At the time of writing, the exact details are unclear. Last time there was a ban on marches, with the EDL and UAF being allowed 'static rallies'. In addition there was a massive campaign by the police, the council and religious leaders and others to persuade people not to join the counter protests. It is not yet certain whether the same will happen again.
The Socialist Party will be doing our best to get a turnout on the 4th, at the same time we will be raising socialist answers to the problems people face to cut across the EDL's attempt to divide Leicester. For jobs, homes and services not racism!
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999