All Campaigns subcategories:
Anti-fascist keywords:
Fascism
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Far right SDL driven out of Glasgow city centre
OVER 3,000 anti-racist protesters achieved their stated aim of keeping the far right-wing Scottish Defence League (SDL) from marching in Glasgow on 14 November. An important factor in the size of the counter protest was the creation of a broad coalition of trade unions, socialists, anti-racists and anti-fascist groups brought together under the banner of Scotland United.
The SDL, an off-shoot of the English Defence League and with links to the football hooligan group Casuals United, could only muster around 100 members and spent most of the day hiding in pubs in the city centre.
Due to the size and activities of the counter protesters the police were left with no option other than to bus these racist thugs to outlying parts of the city. A few made their way back into the city centre but were quickly spotted by the protesters on the counter march and once again the police intervened to remove them.
The Sunday Herald published a quote posted on the SDL's Facebook site from a member saying that "people were laughing at us like we were clowns. We were scared to leave the pub. What a shambles."
The Scotland United rally saw all the main political parties represented on the platform. This meant that the 3,000 who attended did not hear a clear call for a change in the failed policies that have allowed organisations like the EDL, SDL and the BNP to exploit the social conditions created by the main parties.
Only Tommy Sheridan of Solidarity, in a well received speech, made reference to the present economic conditions and the failed policies of the other parties. Tommy called for a war on unemployment, poverty and inequality as the way to defeat racism and fascism.
The day was successful in its stated aim of stopping the SDL march. But we must now build on that success and step up our campaign for a new workers' party that can end racism and defeat fascism.
Brian Smith, International Socialists
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