Summit to plan new anti-facism campaign

Musicians are set to rub shoulders with politicians, trade unionists, students and activists in London on Saturday in a bid to tackle fascism in Britain.

The conference has been organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and the musicians' action group Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), which accuse far-right organisations such as the British National Party (BNP) of stirring up racial tensions.

At the event campaigners will plan a "wide-ranging" initiative to fight all forms of racism, fascism, Islamophobia and homophobia.

They will also discuss ways to stem the rise of the BNP, which now has 14 councillors in London.

Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of the UAF, which acts as an umbrella organisation for anti-fascism and anti-racism groups, said, "The BNP is not marching or having huge rallies. It is leafleting, talking about 'community politics' and going for electoral appeal."

"We need to challenge this by celebrating anti-racism - black and white united, and removing the Nazis' respectability."

"They are not welcome in our cities or our society," he added.

Speakers will include: Jerry Dammers from The Specials, Drew McConnell from Babyshambles, rap artist Lethal Bizzle, cabinet minister and veteran anti-racism campaigner Peter Hain, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, and head of the Muslim Council of Britain Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari.

The conference will focus on concerns that fascism is being "normalised" in politics and the arts, and that far-right organisations are infiltrating schools and universities.

As part of the campaign, musicians from LMHR, supported by the Amicus trade union, will tour universities across the country during March and April.

Anti-fascism groups are also expected to mount a demonstration on February 19 outside the Dorchester Hotel, where the English National Ballet is hosting a gala fundraising dinner.

Campaigners are angry that dancer Simone Clarke, who has been dubbed the "BNP Ballerina", has kept her job at the English National Ballet despite her membership of the far-right party.

The conference, which is taking place at the TUC Conference Centre on February 17, will also see the official launch of the LMHR Artists' Group, which aims to spread the Love Music Hate Racism message to music fans at festivals, concerts, raves and gigs across the country.

Love Music Hate Racism spokesperson Lee Billingham said the organisation was using the UK music scene to create a nationwide campaign against racism and fascism.

He said, "Every day we hear that the country's biggest problems are due to Muslims and asylum seekers and these lies are fuelling a big resurgence in racism and support for the Nazi BNP."

"All of us who like living in a multicultural society must stand together to oppose what's going on."

"British music is far better for the mixing up of cultures and styles that has happened because of immigration to this country."

Jerry Dammers, frontman of ska band The Specials and author of "Free Nelson Mandela", added, "The BNP are like the daleks - no matter how many times they're defeated they don't get the message. But they're not from a fantasy and we can't be complacent and relax the struggle against them.

"It's when they're at their most boring and tedious that they are at their most dangerous."

"Everyone should do everything they can to counteract them, and I urge anyone who can to attend this weekends LMHR and UAF conference in London."

24dash