Election campaign against BNP in Sandwell part of a co-coordinated push nationally to defeat racism and fascism on our streets and council chambers as Hope not Hate Big Red Bus prepares to visit Manchester, Keighley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Leeds, the set of Emmerdale Farm, Newcastle, Sunderland and Glasgow.
Well over 200 people from three political parties, ten trade unions, MP's, including John Cruddas MP for Dagenham who is standing in the Deputy leadership contest, local councillors, and many others helped deliver over 45,000 tabloid newspapers to the local community in Sandwell yesterday 1st April 2007, along with leaflets promoting Hope over the politics of division and hatred of the BNP.
Over 40 GMB members took part in this activity, some for the first time. These members also helped deliver en mass thousands of Searchlight newspapers in the afternoon with Billy Bragg to every local household next to the BNP former stronghold The Lagoon pub in the Princess End, which until recently was run by Jamie Lloyd the local BNP councillor.
The event was part of the Hope not Hate tour that is currently touring the country in the big red bus celebrating modern Britain. This features entertainment by the local all nations steel band and the legendary folk singer and committed anti racist Billy Bragg. Hope not Hate Big Red Bus now prepares to visit Manchester, Keighley, Bradford & Dewsbury, Leeds & the set of Emmerdale Farm, Newcastle & Sunderland and Glasgow (see notes to editors for dates).
Mick Rix, GMB National Officer said: "GMB was proud and privileged to have helped and be a part of organising a hugely successful anti fascist - anti racist day of action, in Sandwell. Our members were accompanied by the Hope Not Hate big red bus, 45,000 tabloid newspapers were delivered in record time, by 2pm. A free show by the All Nations Steel Band was put on for the shoppers in the Market and at ASDA in West Bromwich, where again over three thousand newspapers, leaflets, balloons and badges were given out.
Leaflets were delivered to households near the BNP former stronghold, The Lagoon pub, which until recently was run by Jamie Lloyd the local BNP councilor. This was recently closed down on the advice of the police after many violent attacks took place there. Apparently Mr. Lloyd who was running the pub at the time refused to hand over CCTV evidence of these attacks in which it is alleged there was a shooting and in a separate
incident a machete attack. In their submission to the councils licensing committee the police concluded: "That Lloyd had little or no concern for the safety of his customers in general". Which raises further questions over the BNP claims to be a party of law and order.
The Lloyd family is no stranger to violence, Lloyd's sons have been continually in trouble with the police, and one is currently in prison serving a three year term. "
GMB
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