Campaign to ban BNP from teaching coming to Carlisle

A national campaign to get BNP members banned from working as teachers comes to Carlisle next week

The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK which has more than 2,000 members in Cumbria, is joining forces with Carlisle Against Racism to host an open meeting on Wednesday evening. The union’s number two deputy general secretary, Jerry Bartlett, is travelling to Carlisle to be one of two speakers.

The free event is taking place at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus from 7pm. Wednesday’s event comes less than two months after Education Secretary Ed Balls ordered a review into the rules against racism in schools. He wants recommendations from the study to determine whether there are suitable safeguards in place “to maintain trust in the teaching profession”.

David Cornwall, national officer for NASUWT and national executive member for Cumbria, said: “It is essential that we keep race hate out of our schools and colleges. We welcome the opportunity to work with Carlisle Against Racism, an organisation that is successfully building a movement to combat racism in the city and surrounding areas.

“We hope that teachers from local schools, students from the university and anyone who opposes racism will come to our event.”

NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: “The NASUWT is campaigning vigorously for the teachers’ contract to be amended in line with those of the police, armed forces and prison service to prevent BNP members from working as teachers. We are equally strongly pressing for BNP members to be banned from serving on governing bodies.

“The NASUWT is appealing to all local authorities, governing bodies and the organisations that represent and support them to review their compliance with the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976.”

The Cumberland News

Lancaster anti-fascists see BNP off again

A cheerful bunch of far-right loons in Lancaster. We know Jefferson (holding his phone up) but IDs on the rest of them would be appreciated.

The fascist BNP were sent packing from Lancaster town centre after they set up a stall. A spontaneous demonstration surrounded the BNP fascists and prevented them from handing out leaflets. They were shouted down and jeered and a passer by emptied two cans of fizzy pop on their stall. Unable to operate they packed up and left town completely demoralised. Thanks to our mate N for the report.

Some good news from Lancaster. The BNP set up a stall today in the town centre. It seems that the small gathering of pond life came from Carlisle. The BNP have no official presence in Lancaster since their previous organiser, Chris Hill, resigned his position following the party split in January. The out of town BNP members set up a small table just near the Museum. It had been kicked over within minutes by a lone woman passing by!

Initially undeterred the fash re-assembled their stall and continued to hand out leaflets. Within half an hour there was a spontaneous response from local concerned people who gathered quickly and surrounded the BNP stall. Standing in front of the stall with anti-fascist leaflets the local people made sure the fascists were unable to distribute their filth. A passer by also emptied two cans of fizzy pop all over the BNP leaflets. People shouted “keep the racists out of Lancaster”, and eventually a mega phone turned up to get the message across!

Clive Jefferson and his car (with illegal numberplate). Under the dodgy number, it says 'Non-compliant and defiant'. See you in court, Clive.

Unable to continue leafleting the pond life got fed up and packed up their stall. The cops arrived to add a bit of extra tension into proceedings. But funnily enough the fascists were in a car with an illegal number plate. Some on our side pointed this out, and the cops spent another ten minutes taking their details. Totally dejected they eventually drove off to cheers and jeers and were told not to come back!

Hopefully the fascists had such a bad day that they won’t return. But if they do let’s make sure they are not given an inch. Fortunately the other market traders were very good at opposing them. The stall holder next to the BNP refused to let anyone in his gazebo with a BNP leaflet! And the fascists were reported for not having a license. However, we can’t just rely on council bureaucracy to see off these fascists. We saw today that it is possible to stop them peddling their hatred in this tolerant town of ours, by taking direct action!! Direct action on a bigger scale can have the same results come the BNP’s “Red White & Blue” racist festival in August.