BNP back down over demo fear

A BNP candidate pulled out of a public meeting in Fleetwood last night after threats of a demonstration by anti-fascists.

Election runner Debra Kent should have taken part in an election forum with other candidates at the Marine Hall in a debate organised by Fleetwood Churches Together but said she feared violence. The decision was welcomed by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) but regret was
expressed by the event organisers.

Miss Kent's partner, James Clayton, said: "This is the same group (UAF) that last year attacked one of our members with a claw hammer in Leigh and also attacked a BNP campaign launch in Croydon last week.

"Given that Debra is a lady and also my girlfriend I am not prepared to risk her being assaulted. As our security team are also busy during this period and cannot provide cover for her at short notice, I have decided to pull her out of this debate for her own safety."

Paul Jenkins, north-west organiser for UAF, denied they had carried out violent acts. He said: "This is good news. We are saying there should not be a platform for fascists. These people should not be allowed to come in and destroy democracy."

Fr Paul Benfield of Churches Together said: "Whatever one's views about any of the parties, it's our job to give an open platform. I don't approve of the BNP's policies but I think it's better people are allowed to express what they are standing for rather than being censored by their not being invited or threats from another group."

Blackpool Gazette

Demonstration against the BNP in Blackpool this Saturday at 12 noon

The New Kimberley Hotel, a 'hazard to humans', so the BNP is safe

This weekend was to be the date for the BNP's Summer School - three days of party indoctrination and brainwashing - but has metamorphosed into a 'Victory Rally' for the party, Nick Griffin being eager to cash in on the unusually good spirits within the ranks of the BNP following the election of himself and fellow National Front-reject Andrew Brons to the EU Parliament.

As usual, every opportunity will be taken during the 'rally' to rip the membership off in any way possible, and that begins with the party holding this event at the ghastly New Kimberley Hotel, on Blackpool's New South Promenade (see map, left). Regular readers of the blog may have fond memories of the New Kimberley from a number of articles, not least the one which related Blackpool Council's prosecution of the hotel, which they described as 'grimy', 'filthy' and 'a hazard to humans'. It's no wonder the BNP gathers there, then.

The BNP's two newly-acquired European seats, won only because of the peculiarities of the system of proportional representation used in the Euro election, have caused a lot of anger. Newspapers and websites are full of recriminations, many against the exisiting parties but most against the BNP itself, which got in on the back of a succession of lies and bullshit which convinced many people to vote for a fascist party run by a Holocaust-denying, Islamophobic, anti-semitic nazi.

If you object to the BNP, it's time to make your voice heard. Blackpool and Fleetwood Unite Against Fascism is organising an anti-fascist rally outside the New Kimberley for 12 noon this coming Saturday (20th). Bring banners, placards, whistles, drums, megaphones and anything else to make yourself and your objections to the BNP heard (or seen), and bring your friends with you. Also, circulate any organisation you are a part of, to let them know about the demo and to help spread the word. The BNP might think it's on a roll at the moment but it's clear that the vast majority of people do not support it and do not want it in Blackpool or anywhere else.

Get down to Blackpool on Saturday at 12 noon and let the nazis know they're not welcome. The New Kimberley is at 585-589 New South Promenade, Blackpool FY4 1NQ. The demo will be directly in front of it.