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From: The Socialist issue 866, 5 August 2015: Stop NHS cuts

Search site for keywords: Far-right - Lincoln - Socialist - Socialist Party - Racism - EDL - TUSC - Fascism - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - Trade unions - Racist - Fascist - Austerity - English Defence League - Anti-fascist

Lincoln demonstrators defy far-right threats

Another EDL rally, Walthamstow, 9.5.15, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Nick Parker, Lincoln Socialist Party

"We're bringing 500 on Saturday and we're going to batter you."

This was one of the threats made by far-right supporters who turned up to an anti-fascist rally in Lincoln on 25 July. The English Defence League (EDL) activists wanted to intimidate the mainly young people in attendance at the event, organised by the Lincoln Against Racism and Fascism campaign.

The rally went ahead successfully, with excellent speeches, a wide-ranging discussion, and a finance appeal that raised enough money to purchase a new banner for the group.

The counter-demonstration to the EDL rally was also a success. Once again, the turnout, over 100, was overwhelmingly made up of young people and trade unionists, with supporters also having travelled from Nottingham, Chesterfield, Grimsby, Corby and Cambridgeshire to show solidarity.

Unsurprisingly, supporters of the EDL continued to attempt to intimidate demonstrators, turning up at the assembly point, along the route of the march, and at the rallying point itself.

Rally

The rally had an open mic which included speakers from the Socialist Party and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), explaining why we oppose racism and the far-right in their city. Many speakers had never addressed a demonstration before.

Lincoln Against Racism and Fascism, originally founded by the Socialist Party, has an excellent track record of organising against the far-right in Lincoln dating back to 2006. This democratic campaign backed by local trade unions has organised demonstrations, public meetings, rallies and street activity like leafleting and stalls.

The Socialist Party in Lincolnshire, alongside Lincoln TUSC, will continue to fight racism, fight austerity and fight capitalism, and put the case forward for a democratic socialist society in which racist prejudice is consigned to the dustbin of history.

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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.