All Campaigns subcategories:
Anti-fascist keywords:
Fascism
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
United against fascism
NICK GRIFFIN, leader of the fascist British National Party (BNP), is in court in Leeds on Wednesday 2 November facing charges of inciting racial hatred. The Regional TUC, supported by trade unions, community groups and anti-fascist organisations, has organised a major demonstration to coincide with Griffin's court appearance, to demonstrate our opposition to fascism.
Marion Lloyd, PCS (civil service union) NEC, personal capacity
The BNP want to use Griffin's appearance on 2 November as a national media showpiece for their racist ideas. They are encouraging their supporters to turn up from around the country as a show of strength. We want to make it clear that the fascists are not welcome.
The BNP found out about the anti-fascist demo, realised they were going to be outnumbered, and tried unsuccessfully to mobilise for a national rally in Keighley on 5 November. This makes it doubly important that people turn up in Leeds on 2 November. We want to send a clear message that we stand for peaceful, united communities, standing together against racism and division.
The BNP have targeted this region as a major area for recruitment. Almost a third (60,990) of their total votes in the general election were won in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Unfortunately, New Labour has deserted working-class people, doing nothing to improve their lives or end the ever widening gap between rich and poor.
The fascists use Labour's failures, blaming minority groups for the problems created by the capitalist system. They attempt to convince the public that they are respectable. The reality is that they are often racist, violent thugs, with criminal convictions.
Their supporters claim to stand for freedom of speech! Yet since the election, they have tried to stir up hatred against the Muslim community, openly blaming them for the 7 July London bombings.
Whilst gains were made by the BNP in the last election, their votes were minimised in areas where vibrant anti-fascist campaigns were run.
In Keighley, anti-fascists united to form 'Keighley Together', a trade union and community group that successfully prevented BNP leader Nick Griffin from being elected.
The BNP's fortunes were also reversed in Oldham and Barking, again as a result of community-based campaigns. UNISON members have worked closely with community groups in Dewsbury and Rawthorpe to prevent a racist backlash following the news that two of the London bombers came from these communities.
These campaigns have demonstrated how to prevent the growth of the BNP, with socialists and trade unionists playing a major role. Racism, prejudice and the far-right are only able to grow because we live in a class society where the rich and powerful exploit the rest of us for profit, and sometimes use the racist card to divide and rule.
The Socialist Party fights for a socialist society run democratically for need not profit, where poverty, discrimination and division can be abolished once and for all.
Peace and Unity in our Communities
Protest against Griffin and the BNP
Wednesday 2 November
9am outside Leeds Crown Court, Oxford Row.
12 noon, rally outside Leeds Art Gallery.
Organised by Yorks and Humber TUC and UAF
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