It's time for LU to say goodbye

For seven years, first on my own server then on Blogger, Lancaster Unity (formerly Lancaster UAF) has been fighting fascism and racism as embodied in such groups as the BNP and the EDL. From originally being set up to accompany local anti-fascist activity, the blog spread itself wider until it became a national resource with, over the years, many excellent contributors and countless thousands of readers.

When LU began, there was a gap in the market for a continually updated blog that has now been closed by a number of anti-fascist organisations elsewhere, some of which are listed below. Also, the advent and popularity of Twitter and Facebook (both easily accessible and updatable via smartphones) has made the anti-fascist presence on the internet much larger and more effective than it has ever been before. While the bad guys use technology to humiliate and embarrass themselves, anti-fascists have used it to inform and organise.

Because of ongoing health problems which are drastically eating into the time I can devote to Lancaster Unity, it has gradually become a copy and paste blog with very few original articles. This is no bad thing because it's always useful to have one type of news that appeals to a certain group located in a single place. This role though, is rapidly being superceded by Twitter, which does the same job very well. Better, in fact, than we ever could. Thus, it's time for Lancaster Unity to stand down, though the blog as it is will remain here as an archive and a resource for anti-fascists.

It's not too bad a time to be going. The EDL, although it has political ambitions, seems incapable of keeping itself from fragmenting in all directions, while the BNP at the moment appears to be shrinking by the day while Nick Griffin spends half his time in the European Parliament participating in the gravy train that he once professed to despise, and the other half boring us all to death with his tedious stories about smoked salmon.

Even better, it's a real pleasure to be leaving in the week that two of the killers of Stephen Lawrence have finally been convicted. We look forward to the day that the rest of them get banged up.

Big thanks to Denise and John, both of whom helped make LU what it was, and very many thanks to our contributors: Andy Minion, Iliacus, Roddy, Larry and all the rest of them. Special mentions go to NewsHound and Zaahid, both excellent news-spotters who should get their own sites together and keep up the good work. Naturally, a site such as this is useless without readers, and we've had a loyal and feisty readership over the years whose contributions have easily been as interesting as ours. Thank you to all of you (except the nazis, who are just complete morons).

We've been helped since the blog began by a number of organisations. Principal among these are Searchlight (who gave us essential help to get started in the first place, and who we worked closely with on numerous occasions), Hope not hate and Unite Against Fascism. Special thanks to those three and to all the other people who have helped out in one way or another.

It's been (at times) great fun, interesting and bloody hard work (especially on the all-night election specials). Thank you to everyone for all your input.

Although I have a good deal less time and energy these days, I shall be posting occasionally at my own blog space on Searchlight's new website. Thanks to Searchlight for offering me both the opportunity and the space. John has moved over to Anti-Fascists Online.

Ketlan
Lancaster Unity

This is not a comprehensive list of anti-fascist resources. If you think I've left anyone out who should be included, email me or make a comment and I'll add them.

Searchlight
Hope not hate
Unite Against Fascism
Anti-Fascists Online
EDL News
Everything EDL
Malatesta's Blog
Love Music Hate Racism
Show Racism the Red Card
EDL Watch at Urban75
HateWatch
Indymedia
Love Music Hate Homophobia
Liverpool Antifascists
Kick It Out
ICARE

From toe-hold to no hold: football and the English Defence League

Click on image for full-size

Jim Keoghan looks at the campaign to kick the English Defence League out of football

Since the English Defence League (EDL) first appeared in 2009, it has sought to make its presence felt among the country’s football fans. And although football might be a more tolerant sport than it once was, there remains a small element within the game that has responded to their overtures.

The majority of these supporters can be found among the ranks of the hooligan ‘firms’ that are still associated with some football clubs. These first emerged from the ‘casual’ sub-culture of the 1970s and 1980s as a way for fans who enjoyed post-match violence to organise themselves along team lines. Although these firms are much diminished today, some have survived, with several even enjoying continuity in membership.

According to Paul Jenkins, north west regional organiser for Unite Against Fascism (UAF), these fans represented a readymade army that the EDL could unite and organise: ‘Not all of the men in these firms – and it is just men – share the views of the EDL. But there’s enough that do for the EDL to have representation at several clubs. These are the people who are trying to bring racist and Islamophobic chants and language onto the terraces and who come out to protest and instigate violence on the streets with the EDL. At the moment you’re not talking about massive numbers, but the problem is that these people can be used to recruit other football supporters, something they are increasingly trying to do.’

What’s happening today has parallels with the 1970s and 1980s. Then it was the National Front (NF) organising among football supporters and managing to gain representation at several clubs, such as West Ham, Chelsea, Leeds and Millwall. Much of this representation was also drawn from the ranks of hooligan firms. Both the ‘Chelsea headhunters’ and the ‘Leeds United service crew’ possessed links with the NF.

Along with wider societal changes in attitudes towards race and religion, from the late 1980s onwards several factors combined to diminish the problems faced by the sport. The increasing prominence of ethnic minority players, the rise in the number of women, children and ethnic minority supporters attending games and a more aggressive approach by the police and the clubs in targeting hooligans (such as banning certain fans from a ground) all played a part in changing the face of the game. These have been complemented by a succession of anti-racist campaigns, such as Show Racism the Red Card and Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football, as well as anti-racism community work undertaken by the clubs themselves.

The EDL has also so far failed to make any significant impact among fans at England matches, despite this being an area where the far right has had a presence in the past. ‘I can honestly say that I have never seen any evidence of the EDL at England games over the last few years,’ says Mark Perryman of the England Supporters Club. ‘A lot of football hooligans are already banned from these games and few real fans would risk getting a banning order because of any suspected involvement with the EDL.’

The England team has also gone to great lengths to take a stand against racism – not least because they have been the targets of racist chanting and abuse at away games such as the recent Euro 2012 qualifier in Bulgaria. Both the manager Fabio Capello and captain John Terry made strong public statements on the subject before September’s game against Wales, where the team wore ‘Kick It Out’ armbands to stress their commitment to anti-racism.

But although the overall picture has improved, there remains inconsistency across the sport. In the lower divisions and in non-league football, a lack of adequate stewarding and enforcement of banning orders has meant that racism and religious intolerance remain more of a problem.

‘This is why the EDL has targeted clubs outside the top divisions,’ says national UAF organiser Paul Sillett. ‘In the lower leagues the EDL feels more confident in speaking out and organising.’

Worrying presence

While the EDL as yet is confined to the margins, the fact that it has been able to establish a presence at all is worrying. ‘They’ve got a toe-hold and a message that a lot of people give time to,’ says Paul Sillett. He believes that unlike the simplistic racist views of the NF in the past, elements of the EDL’s message today find an audience across a much wider swath of society.

‘The EDL portrays itself as a protest movement against militant Islam and excessive immigration, two perspectives that find sympathy among sections of our society,’ Sillet says. ‘There are plenty of football supporters, specifically young lads who like the appeal of being part of a gang and have an affinity with the patriotism that the EDL wrap themselves up in, who are going to be open to the superficially persuasive message that the EDL provide, specifically when they see aspects of it mirrored in the tabloids and echoed by certain leading politicians. These are people who might not consider themselves racist and would never use conventionally racist language but who nevertheless find the anti-Islam rhetoric of the EDL acceptable. This means that although the EDL might be confined to the hooligan fringes at the moment, it will not necessarily stay that way.’

According to Gav Sutherland from Show Racism the Red Card (SRRC), the rise of the EDL has to be taken seriously. ‘The increase in popularity of the EDL is having a big impact, particularly their targeting of young people. As an educational campaign that uses professional footballers to talk to young people about racist and religious intolerance, we will continue to do our best to tackle the myths and lies about Islam and Muslims that the EDL is trying to spread.’

These educational campaigns would be immeasurably aided if there were more British-Asian football role models. But there are only a handful of British-Asian professionals playing in England and they make up less than one in 100 young players in football academies.

At a club level, although many mirror the work undertaken by SRRC in their own communities, as yet there has been no specific action against the EDL, even among clubs where the EDL has been active. Instead, the strongest reaction is coming from the supporters themselves, who in the absence of any meaningful response from the teams they follow have decided to take matters into their own hands.

‘One of the most pleasing aspects of this is the way some existing casual firms have taken on the EDL,’ says Paul Sillett. He says that although the link between the far right and the hooligans is an established one, it’s not the whole story.

‘Back in the 1970s not all hooligans were racist. There were examples of mixed-race hooligan firms and examples of casuals that organised themselves against the NF, something that is also happening today. At West Ham their firm is active against the presence of the EDL.’

Fans fight back

Ordinary supporters are getting involved too. Across the country, fans are part of a growing grass-roots action against the far right. Bolton supporter Lindsay Bessells is one of many fans who joined with UAF last season in a concerted campaign to counter the presence of the EDL. ‘I’d begun seeing an increasing number of men at the Reebok stadium wearing EDL t-shirts and began to realise that this hooligan element in our fan base was partly responsible for the rallies that were happening locally, and for much of the violence that was associated with them. I felt that I had to get involved and do something to stop their influence spreading.’

By mobilising and engaging supporters the campaign has sought to mirror what the EDL has tried to do. But whereas the EDL has been appealing to a minority element within football, the anti-EDL campaign has been preaching to the majority, according to Linda Jones, who leafleted outside Bradford City’s ground.

‘We’ve leafleted a few times and now and then you might get people refusing to take one or telling you that they are sympathetic to the EDL but in general most fans support what we are doing. As in wider society, football fans as a whole are much more tolerant than they used to be. They recognise the EDL for what it is, just another incarnation of the far right – something that has no place in the modern game.’

This supporter-led action harks back to the late 1970s, when, in the absence of any action by the football authorities or the clubs, fans began to fight back against the influence of the far right themselves. This was often done in an organised way, with Anti-Nazi League groups being established by football fans at 20 or more British football grounds. And this more formal organisation is already evident today with the creation of anti-fascist organisations at clubs such as Leicester, Aston Villa and Tranmere.

‘Following the formation of the EDL we began to see the development of something worryingly reminiscent of the 1970s. It struck us that the best way to counter this was to organise properly, providing a better chance of countering the EDL’s propaganda,’ says Bidston Moss of the Tranmere Rovers Anti Fascist group (TRAF).

TRAF has already undertaken a mass leafleting of the ground and organised a number of anti-fascist social events in Birkenhead. The group has ambitious ideas for the future, with a possible outdoor festival and large evening events planned.

‘Our overall aim is to appeal to our supporters to resist sly right-wing “come-ons” from these far-right bigots,’ continues Bidston. ‘The EDL sing from the same hymn sheet as other far-right groups. Its demos are dominated by Nazi-saluting thugs and chants of “dirty Muslim bastards” and “we hate Pakis more than you” are evident whenever they congregate. This is the reality that football supporters need to understand – and it’s a message that more and more of us fans are beginning to spread.’

Red Pepper

Halifax EDL rally 'wanted men' CCTV released by police

The police said any criminal offences would be robustly dealt with

CCTV images have been released of 10 men police want to speak to over public order offences which took place in West Yorkshire earlier this year.

Police are investigating disorder during an English Defence League (EDL) demonstration in Halifax on 9 July. So far six people have been arrested for public offences related to the disturbance. West Yorkshire Police are urging anyone who recognises the men or has information to contact the police.

Det Supt Dave Pervin from West Yorkshire Police's homicide and major inquiry team said: "Like any large scale operation it is not always possible to tackle every single incident at the time and this is where our follow up inquiries begin. Subsequent inquiries have revealed that some individuals were seen to be committing offences and were captured on CCTV. Someone must know who they are and where they live and we ask them to ring us so this investigation can begin to draw to a close."

Police said the 10 men they want to trace could be living in the Midlands and the north of England. Police estimated that about 450 people were on the EDL march, with about 70 taking part in a counter-protest by Unite Against Fascism.

BBC

Thanks to Zaahid for the heads-up

Action must be taken whenever racism rears its ugly head – including in sport

Golf caddie Steve Williams’s alleged racist comments regarding Tiger Woods are the latest episode in what appears to be a phenomenon of racism in sport.

This follows recent incidents in October football matches with Queens Park Rangers’ Anthon Ferdinand claiming Chelsea and England Captain John Terry made a racist comment and a similar incident involving Manchester United‘s Patrice Evra arguing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was frequently racist towards him.

Racism in sport is not new. Back in 2008 Lewis Hamilton was subjected to crude racism by opposing fans in Spain, who painted their faces black. In 2004 Ron Atkinson was forced to resign as an ITV football commentator, following alleged racist comments directed at Marcel Desailly.

Perhaps the worst incident involving sportsmen, was the violent attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najieb in 2000 involving Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer, both at the time played for Leeds United. Najieb was bitten on the face, and suffered a broken leg, nose and cheekbone.

Woodgate was found guilty of affray and both Woodgate and Bowyer were cleared of grevious bodily harm. While the trial judge said there was no racist motive to the attack on the student, Najieb claims he was called a “Paki” before the attack.

Racism in sport is nowhere near as bad as it was four decades ago, and we seemed to enjoy a period of peace in the late eighties and nineties. So why the reemergence of it during the last decade?

Racism in sport is a reflection of racism in wider society.

The 1970s saw Enoch Powell’s “Rivers of blood” speech and the growth of the National Front. So it is no surprise that, in this climate, black footballers were subjected to bananas being thrown at them and black supporters were some times subjected to violent attacks, even by fellow supporters of the same football clubs.

At the start of the noughties we experienced the worst political attacks on immigrants since powellism in the 1970s, with politicians and newspaper headlines frequently attacking asylum seekers in particular. This followed a rise of Islamophobia post 9/11 and 7/7.

This climate provided fertile ground for the British National Party’s unprecedented electoral gains for a fascist organisation in Britain. This electoral growth – the breakthrough to the European Parliament in 2009 specifically – emboldened the English Defence League (EDL) to organise racist demonstrations on Britain’s streets reminiscent of the 1970s National Front demonstrations.

The EDL recruits support from football hooligans through “casuals united”. Two years on the EDL is still growing and continues to organise demonstrations.

Now, amidst the worst international economic crisis since the 1930s great depression, false racist arguments are advancing with immigration being wrongly blamed.

Take David Cameron’s speech on immigration a few weeks before this year’s election. Or the absence of a sensible debate on the economy prior to the 2010 general election and instead a debate on how immigration was to blame and what policies to reduce it. This is not the first time in history where failure to deliver solutions to economic crises paved the way for immigrant communities to be scapegoated.

This is the context within which racism in sport is rearing its ugly head. It is a symptom of racism in society as a whole and is not unique to sport.

All racism, where ever it manifests itself, must be confronted by robust action. Black people are free from slavery, to walk on our streets without fear of relentless racist abuse and attack, to vote, and to compete in top level professional sport, because people actively campaigned against racism. It didn’t happen by itself.

Therefore I welcome the Football Association’s investigations into John Terry and Luis Suarez.

It is interesting though, that the furore surrounding Terry’s affair with Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel, prompted England Manager Fabio Capello to strip off the England captaincy from Terry but the allegation of racism has not prompted the same response to the now reinstated England captain.

The police are also investigating Terry after a supporter reported the incident to the police. Racist abuse after all, whether verbal or physical, is against the law.

The Formula 1 Association launched the “race against racism” campaign following racism against Lewis Hamilton. Ron Atkinson was forced to resign his role as ITV football commentator as a result of his comments.

But what action is being taken against Steve Williams? Thus far none. It is how institutions respond to racism that is crucial and will prevent further incidents of racism. The International Golf Federation should launch an investigation into Steve Williams. An apology is not enough.

by Sabby Dhalu, One Society Many Cultures secretary, Unite Against Fascism joint secretary

Left Foot Forward

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Populism in 21st century Britain: Why the EDL needs Facebook

A new study by independent think tank Demos has revealed that online activism is at the heart of the English Defence League

The far-right English Defence League (EDL) first emerged in 2009 as a street protest movement, whose ideology and rhetoric opposes radical Islam and Sharia law in the UK. The group’s mission statement includes declarations that it is committed to “ensuring human rights are protected and promoted” and “ensuring that the public get a balanced picture of Islam.”

The EDL has organised more than fifty marches and demonstrations across the UK over the past two years, and many of these have descended into violence. EDL supporters and others have been arrested, often after fighting with counter-demonstrators from organisations such as Unite Against Fascism. Inflammatory and provocative tactics are regularly employed. When the EDL recently marched through Tower Hamlets – an area of London with a significant Muslim population - the group’s leaders proclaimed that they were “heading into the Lion’s Den”, the demonstration descended into violence and the police made sixty arrests.

While the EDL has repeatedly denied being a racist organisation and has attempted to distance itself from the far-right British National Party (BNP), video footage of racist chanting at their marches or a glance at the vitriolic comments published on its online forums portray an utterly different picture. EDL leader Stephen Lennon (who uses the pseudonym Tommy Robinson amongst his supporters), has also appeared on television to deny claims that the organisation is racist, but he describes the Koran as a “seventh century book in its barbaric form.”

Although it is the demonstrations, violence and anti-social behaviour that make the headlines, a new study published by Demos this week revealed that the majority of EDL supporters have never been on a march. When asked about their recent involvement in the organisation, 52% of supporters claimed that they had taken part in some form of online activism.

Press interest in the organisation has led to a growth in the number of supporters, and this has largely manifested through the internet and social networking sites, in particular Facebook. The EDL is reliant on Facebook as it is their central communicative and organisation tool. There are a number of fan pages dedicated to the organisation and Demos estimate that the group has an active membership of 25,000 – 35,000 people. Amongst those supporters surveyed it found that the BNP is the most popular political party amongst EDL supporters, followed by the UK Independence Party.

The EDL is indicative of a wider trend of new far-right groups that have sprung up across Europe in recent years and has tried to form ties with other ‘European Defences Leagues’ in Germany, Poland and France. The EDL also publically supported the Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders when he visited the UK to screen his anti-Islam film in the House of Lords in 2010.

The EDL have also been accused of having links to terrorist Anders Behring Breivik, who carried out twin terror attacks that claimed 77 lives in Norway this summer. When Norwegian police began their investigation it was revealed that Breivik claimed to have 600 EDL supporters as Facebook friends, was a fan of the EDL Facebook page and had previously praised the organisation.

In this high-tech digital age, new technology has changed the way that organisations such as the EDL spread their message and organise their activities. By using the internet, supporters can publish their opinions anonymously and without facing the same consequences that they might encounter should such opinions be shared in the pub or at work. The EDL is a chaotic and disorganised organisation that has no official membership procedures, and were it not for Facebook and other social networking sites then it is most likely that they would not exist.

New Federalist

Thanks to Zaahid for the heads-up

Wavertree Unites Against Fascism

Pictured are some of the protestors outside the BNP's national conference

Local residents, anti-fascists, trades unionists and councillors join protests against BNP National Conference in Wavertree.

Local residents, anti-fascists, trades unionists, local councillors, football fans and others joined protests this weekend against the BNP's National Conference, which was held at The Cricketers in Wavertree on Saturday and Sunday. The protest was called on Saturday by Unite Against Fascism who are opposing the BNP's use of the public venue - the BNP are believed to have held meetings in the same location previously.

Liverpool Council leader Joe Anderson joined protesters, to support the demonstration - during the weekend there were also representatives from local trade unions such as UNISON and the RMT in attendance at the pickets of the BNP conference. Unite Against Fascism [UAF] members reported strong support for their protests from local residents, who have voiced opposition to the BNP conference being held at the Wavertree venue.

The protests took place as North West UAF are launching their regional campaign - called "Griffin Must Go!" - to remove BNP leader Nick Griffin from his seat as Member of the European Parliament for the North West Region - which includes the Merseyside area. The UAF "Griffin Must Go!" campaign is supported by a number of North West MEP's, MP's and trades unionists, including: Alison McGovern MP for Wirral South, St Helens North MP David Watts, Billy Hayes of the Communication Workers Union, North West MEP Brian Simpson, Kate Green MP, Lisa Nandy MP, Julie Hilling MP, Jonathan Reynolds MP and former cabinet minister Peter Hain MP.

A "Kick Racism Out Of Football" banner was held aloft at the demonstration. UAF say this is significant because it is currently the national fortnight of action co-ordinated by Kick It Out - an organisation which works to get rid of racism in football. UAF supporters also reported a healthy reaction from local footballers, who voiced concern about the BNP Conference taking place in a venue which adjoined a sporting facility used by local sports players and members of the public. UAF leaflets were also distributed exposing the BNP.

Around 30 people attended the demonstration on Saturday, and approximately 40 on Sunday. On Saturday UAF protestors demonstrated for five and a half hours, and picketed Nick Griffin as he was driven out in a car at the end of the conference.

Darren Ireland, Branch Secretary of the Liverpool 5 branch of the railway workers union the RMT said:

"The fascist and racist BNP, with their discredited leader Griffin and local BNP leader Mike Whitby turned up for their small national conference at The Cricketers, Wavertree, Liverpool. The BNP seek to divide the working class, they seek to attack ethnic minorities with their vile discrimination. When you read about the battle of Cable Street some 75 years ago, the working class united to defeat the fascists. These battles are still being fought in Wavertree today. We must continue to unite as a class and fight to defeat these BNP thugs once and for all. Together we will defeat them, with the local community who were also against their presence."

Paul Jenkins, North West Regional Organiser for Unite Against Fascism said:

"The Unite Against Fascism protestors received an excellent response from local residents, as well as local football players using the adjoining venue. Both the residents and general public are outraged that a public and family venue has been hired out for use to the racist thugs of the fascist BNP. The UAF protest, and the support for it from local residents, shows once again that anti-racists are the majority and that the fascist BNP do not represent the people of Wavertree or anywhere else.

At the weekend we saw Nazi Nick Griffin off - now we want to see the BNP fuhrer off once and for all - North West Unite Against Fascism are launching our "Griffin Must Go!" campaign to remove the BNP Leader from his Seat as Member of the European Parliament for the North West Region, which includes Merseyside. UAF encourages people to attend the regional launch of this campaign next month in Manchester, and to get involved in the UAF campaign on Merseyside to show Griffin and the BNP that they are not welcome in Wavertree or anywhere else. Details about the campaign can be found at www.uaf.org.uk"

Birmingham EDL demo given two-hour time limit

Demonstrators from the English Defence League have been slapped with a two-hour time limit on their protests in a fresh bid to prevent scenes of violence which have marred previous visits.

West Midlands Police had also told the group that their protest must take place in Centenary Square and must be over by 3pm. Conditions have also been imposed on the community event, ‘Unity and Celebration of Differences’ and any counter demonstration.

Organisers have been told that their event can last no longer than three-and-a-half hours and must be over by 4pm. They must also confine the activities to Chamberlain Square.

The EDL said they were expecting between 700 to 2,500 of its members to turn up. The last time the far-right group was in Birmingham was in 2009 and it ended in ugly scenes of violence and dozens of arrests as they clashed with members of the Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

Asst Chief Con Marcus Beale, who will lead the policing operation, said: “We have to balance the desires of those involved with the safety requirements for the event, and ultimately this has to take precedence.

“We want people to feel reassured and in response to community concerns, we will be staging a large-scale operation on the day to ensure that everyone who comes to the city centre, be it to take part in the protests, or to go about their day to day business, can do so in safety.”

Birmingham Mail

Police seek men in racist attack probe

Do you recognise this man?

Police have released CCTV images of suspected thugs who threw bottles and bricks at an anti-racism concert crowd in Leeds.

Protestors shouting support for the far right extremists the English Defence League (EDL) stormed the Rage Against Racism event at The Well music venue in Chorley Lane near the city centre. The group, who were chanting ‘EDL’, smashed windows after going on the rampage after they were refused entry.

They hurled projectiles at the 150-strong crowd. Two people were injured, including one man who suffered serious cut to his mouth and had a tooth knocked out in the incident. It happened at about 2.30pm on Saturday, June 18.

Three men were arrested at the time on suspicion of affray and are currently on police bail pending further enquiries. Now City and Holbeck Police have released CCTV images of four men they want to identify in connection with the disturbance at the venue, formerly known as Joseph’s Well. The group also allegedly posted their plans on Facebook and afterwards boasted on the internet about what had happened.

Organisers said that the concert continued as planned until the early hours of Sunday morning. Star guests at the punk, ska and reggae event included The Mighty Oppressed, Low-Life UK and DJs Jon Firth and Jamie Headcharge.

Four windows were broken,

All money raised at the event was donated to the Unite Against Facism organisation and local projects.

Anyone who recognises the men or who has any information should contact Det Cons Neil Twitchett at Holbeck CID via 0845 6060606. Or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Yorkshire Evening Post

MP urges police to ban English Defence League demo in Birmingham

Fears of more violence on the streets of Birmingham have been raised after it emerged the English Defence League was planning a second march in the city.

The organisation’s supporters are set to take to the streets on October 29, more than two years after their last visit ended in confrontations with anti-fascist groups. The Unite Against Fascism group, whose supporters clashed with EDL followers during clashes in Birmingham in 2009, has also announced plans for a counter-demonstration in Birmingham on the same day.

Selly Oak Labour MP Steve McCabe urged West Midlands Police to apply to Home Secretary Theresa May for the EDL protest to be banned as it would cost too much money to patrol. Two protests by the EDL in Dudley last year cost West Midlands Police and Dudley Council £1.1 million.

“I used to say that the EDL should be allowed to demonstrate but having seen the trouble they cause, I’ve changed my mind,” Mr McCabe said. “Birmingham people can’t afford to waste that much money on policing and repairing the damage to our retail area. These things are deliberately organised to cause maximum destruction. There’s no element of normal demonstration. This is a rag bag of extremism looking to cause trouble and I don’t think the Birmingham people deserve it.”

The exact location of the EDL’s Birmingham event was being kept secret until nearer the time but 575 supporters had confirmed their attendance online yesterday.

Unite Against Fascism confirmed it was organising an anti-EDL demonstration, to start at noon in High Street. A spokesman said: “The EDL wants to bring its vicious, anti-Muslim racist hatred to the multi-racial, multi-cultural city.”

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said they were liaising with police. A police spokesman said: “West Midlands Police is aware of a planned protest in Birmingham city centre on October 29. As on previous occasions, police have no power to ban a static protest.

“Police will be monitoring the situation to ensure maintenance of public order and officers will be deployed throughout the city centre to provide a visible reassurance to retailers, shoppers and all those visiting Birmingham. Any criminal or public order offences will be robustly dealt with.”

Birmingham Mail

Nazi salutes amid fiasco for EDL’s so-called ‘Angels’

Click on image for full-size

Angels Demo Degenerates into Homophobic Abuse and Nazi Salutes

The first national mobilisation by the English Defence League’s so-called “Angels” women’s division presented a farcical spectacle at Downing Street [last week], with women EDL members heavily outnumbered by men.

The EDL is an organisation of racists and fascists – and its “Angels” division is no exception – so UAF organised a counter-protest, led by women antifascists. But when the so-called ‘Angels’ arrived, they were only around 100-strong, despite pulling in EDL members from as far away as Coventry – and only around 15 or 20 of them were women!

The true nature of the EDL was on display as one of the fascists gave Hitler’s “sieg heil” salute.

On the counter-protest, women antifascists made up a majority of demonstrators, with young women, trade unionists and pensioners, black, white and Asian, all determined to voice their opposition to the racists and fascists of the EDL.

The national banner of the PCS civil servants’ union, RMT rail union flags, and banners and placards from women’s groups were on proud display on the upbeat and noisy UAF counter-protest. As it became clear that the “Angels” had failed to show on what was supposededly their own demo, the antifascsists began to chant “Where are the women?” and “Where’s your angels gone?” alongside “Black and white, unite and fight” and “EDL go to hell, take your Nazi mates as well”.

The overwhelmingly male EDL members showed what they really think of women – and gave the lie to their claims to support LGBT people – with chants of “lesbian scum” and “back to the kitchen”. Individual antifascist women were called “dykes” by EDL members in a further display of sexism and homophobia.

The EDL’s poisonous politics have nothing to offer women – or men. Last Saturday’s fiasco shows what a lie it is when the EDL claims to support women’s rights.

Click on image for full-size

Pics by Kelvin Williams

Unite Against Fascism

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

No ice cream for Nazis on Merseyside

Liverpool turns out against the Nazi BNP (Pic: Tommy Ewing)

Tommy Ewing in Liverpool reports on how local people stood up to the BNP

The British National Party tried demonstrating last night (Thursday) outside Liverpool Arts Centre where this week's BBC Question Time was being recorded. The Nazis were upset that their leader Nick Griffin, who is an MEP for the North West region, had not been invited to participate in the programme. But they were heavily outnumbered by 150 anti-fascists who turned out to oppose them.

There was a real mixture of people on the anti-fascist demonstration—black and white, young and old. There were banners from Unite Against Fascism (UAF), Love Music Hate Racism, the PCS union and many others.

The police tried to keep the anti-fascists in their "designated area". But some of us had approached from a different direction and ended up right next to the Nazis (shudder). We started heckling the BNP, and soon the rest of the anti-fascist demo joined us. At one point anti-fascists even managed to stop the BNP from buying ice cream, chanting "No ice cream for Nazis!" at a nearby van. The BNP looked really depressed. Eventually they folded up their banners and sheepishly scuttled off.

An earlier incident involved BNP heavies trying to set up stall in a skateboard park. But the skateboarders turned on them and told them, "We don't want you Nazis here." The police had to escorted the BNP away.

It was noticeable throughout the demo that we spent most of our time laughing at the Nazis. The humour of local people heckling them was absolutely fantastic. I know the BNP are no joke—but it was uplifting to see them downbeat, demoralised and defeated.

Socialist Worker

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

SDL and Unite Against Fascism stage Edinburgh rallies

Police were out in force at the Scottish Defence League rally

Hundreds of police have staged a show of force in central Edinburgh at a rally by the Scottish Defence League.

Almost 200 supporters of the far right group were heavily outnumbered by officers drawn from forces across the central belt. They were penned in after the city council refused them permission to march. A counter demonstration of about 400 Unite Against Fascism protesters was allowed to hold a procession. They marched along Princes Street before attending a rally.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed there was a "substantial police presence" and said both demonstrations passed off without incident and without any arrests. The Lothian and Borders force was supported by officers from Strathclyde, Tayside, Fife, Central, and British Transport Police.

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We are satisfied with the conduct of the vast majority of those who visited Edinburgh for their respective demonstrations. The day passed without significant incident and allowed local residents and businesses to go about their day with minimum disruption."

He added: "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the public in Edinburgh for their patience and support throughout the policing of this event. Edinburgh remains a hub for various demonstrations to take place and Lothian and Borders Police have a wealth of experience in facilitating both planned and spontaneous gatherings."

The Scottish Defence League is an offshoot of the English Defence League, which has been associated with trouble at gatherings south of the border. Last year there were minor skirmishes when about 50 SDL supporters staged a rally in the capital. They were outnumbered by 2,000 counter-protesters marching under the banner of Scotland United.

This year the SDL had originally wanted to march from near the US Embassy to the east end of Princes Street. This proposal was turned down by members of the council's licensing committee over fears of public disorder.

Speakers at a UAF rally were due to include Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Colin Keir MSP and union representatives.

BBC

EDL supporters clash with police

English Defence League members have clashed with police in east London

Far-right demonstrators clashed with police as they protested in east London.

Scuffles broke out and bottles and firecrackers were thrown by members of the English Defence League (EDL) as riot police, mounted police and dogs turned out on the streets in large numbers to maintain control.

The clashes broke out as EDL leader Stephen "Tommy" Lennon addressed the crowd, telling them he had broken his bail conditions to be at the protest. The far-right group told Scotland Yard it planned to lead a "static demonstration" in the wake of a 30-day ban by Home Secretary Theresa May on marching in six areas.

There had been fears of potential unrest ahead of the protest, centred on the deprived inner city borough of Tower Hamlets. Mrs May also banned marches in Newham, Waltham Forest, Islington, Hackney and the City of London. More than 3,000 officers were expected to be available amid fears of violence and clashes with opposition groups including Unite Against Fascism.

Campaigners have been in ongoing negotiations with police chiefs in the wake of tough measures introduced by Mrs May. It is the first time since the Brixton riots 30 years ago that police have requested powers to stop marches in London.

Your Local Guardian

Muslims criticise Scotland Yard for telling them to engage with EDL

Metropolitan police say English Defence League is 'not extreme', but sends 3,000 officers to planned demonstration

Scotland Yard has been accused of underestimating the threat from the English Defence League (EDL) after the head of the unit monitoring hate groups declared it was not an extremist organisation. In an email obtained by the Guardian, Adrian Tudway, National Co-ordinator for Domestic Extremism, said he formed the view the EDL were not extreme after reading their website.

Today the EDL, accused by Muslims of fostering hate against them, will stage a "static" demonstration in Tower Hamlets, east London, in one of their most potentially provocative displays so far.

The Metropolitan police obtained a ban against a planned march through east London by the EDL, fearing clashes with anti-fascist groups and also the prospect of British Muslim youths taking to the streets to defend their communities against feared racist attacks.

British Muslims have claimed police have not done enough to protect them against the EDL. In an email sent on 27 April 2011, Tudway told a Muslim group they should try opening up a "line of dialogue" with the EDL, who have been accused of staging attacks and directing hostility at British Muslims.

Tudway wrote: "In terms of the position with EDL, the original stance stands, they are not extreme right wing as a group, indeed if you look at their published material on their web-site, they are actively moving away from the right and violence with their mission statement etc. As we discussed last time we met, I really think you need to open a direct line of dialogue with them, that might be the best way to engage them and re-direct their activity?"

Last night Tudway's email was sent to the National Association of Muslim Police, which had been pressing him and his unit for tough action.

Zaheer Ahmad, president of the National Association of Muslim Police, said: "There is a strong perception in the Muslim communities that the police service does not take the threat of right wing extremism seriously. This perception is fast becoming reality when communities witness an inconsistent, somewhat relaxed police approach to EDL demonstrations resulting in very few arrests and prosecutions.

"The community perception is reinforced by the position of the National Domestic Extremism Unit which does not view EDL as right wing extremists. There is a considerable body of independent evidence, which is growing at staggering pace, to highlight the serious threat of EDL to our communities."

The national domestic extremism unit used to be run by the Association of Chief Police Officers. But this year it was moved into the Metropolitan police, where it is part of its specialist operations unit. Tudway's unit was charged with investigating any links between the right wing Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik and the English Defence League.

Defending Tudway's views, the Met police said: "The EDL are not a proscribed group. Police are committed to taking robust action against anyone who causes harm by crossing into criminality in support of any issue."

It did not answer whether the force shared his views that the EDL were not extremist.

Dan Hodges, from anti-fascism charity Searchlight, said the charity had been privately telling police more resources needed to be devoted to countering the threat of far right violence: "It's staggering given the EDL's record of violence, intimidation and the outspoken support of many of its members for far right wing politicians and politics."

He said police should classify the EDL as extremist and linked to violence and spend more time and effort trying to thwart their plans: "It's difficult to see what further evidence one would want to see them as extremist. Every EDL demo ends in disorder and physical violence."

The EDL emerged in Luton and has staged a number of demonstrations over the past two years – many of which have descended into violence. The group came under scrutiny earlier this year after Anders Behring Breivik repeatedly praised it in his 1,500-page manifesto, saying he had 600 EDL supporters as Facebook friends and had spoken with "tens of EDL members and leaders".

Members of the group deny any official contact with Breivik and insist their organisation is peaceful, non-racist and opposed to extremism. A Guardian investigation into the EDL found repeated racism and threats of violence among supporters.

Several hundred EDL supporters are expected to meet in two pubs in the Euston area of the capital from around midday on Saturdaybefore being escorted by police to a static demonstration in Tower Hamlets that is due to start at 3pm. Police chiefs said more than 3,000 officers will be on duty amid fears of violence and unrest.

After a police request, the home secretary agreed to a ban on marches for 30 days across five London boroughs and the City of London. It will cover Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, Islington, Hackney and the City of London.

Some anti-racist activists are planning to hold a counter demonstration. Unite Against Fascism is holding a static demonstration in Whitechapel with music and speeches from 11am.

Guardian

Telford: community, unions, football fans unite against EDL

Around 400 people demonstrated in the Wellington area of Telford today against the racists and fascists of the English Defence League.

The turnout of people, overwhelmingly from the town itself, included trade unionists, members of the local Muslim community, lots of young people and fans of football club AFC Telford.
Division

The EDL was banned from marching by the home secretary but staged a static demo anyway in a bid to stir up anti-Muslim racism, hatred and division. They mustered up to 300 racists and fascists, despite mobilising from as far afield as London, Berkshire, Essex and Yorkshire.

There was a lively mood and a great feeling of community solidarity at the anti-racist demo, with flags and banners from the local branch of Unite, Telford Unison, Telford and Shropshire Trades Council, the civil servants’ PCS and the teachers’ NUT union.

The antiracist crowd heard speakers from local union branches, faith group leaders and activists, before marching through the town past the local mosque, with chants of “EDL, go to hell!” A speaker from the trades council told the crowd that the EDL were “not welcome here” and never had been. The antiracist demo showed the true feelinng of the community, he said.

The chair of the local mosque said:

'Islamophobia is a blight on our society. Racism is what the EDL edl is using to try and divide communities.'

UAF joint secretary Weyman Bennett told the demo:

'We have to oppose the EDL wherever we are, with multiracial, multicultural demonstrations that fight racism and the Nazis, because banning them doesn’t stop them. Only mass opposition is an effective way to break the EDL.'

He urged people from Telford to join the national demonstration against the EDL in Tower Hamlets, east London, on Saturday 3 September.

The antiracist demo also included a group of football fans, angry that the EDL’s racist event had forced the cancellation of AFC Telford’s home game against Luton Town. They brought a banner with the slogan “Bucks aginst racism”, making reference to the club’s nickname.

One fan, Olly, explained that the fixture would have been Telford’s first in the football conference after being re-established as a supporter-led club. He said:

'We’re gutted that our game was cancelled today. We’ve been waiting seven years for this game. Our goal all that time has been to be back in the conference. The EDL have really alienated themselves from Telford fans – everyone blames them for game being cancelled.'

Local UAF activists collected a list of names of people wanting to go to the national demo.

UAF

Thanks to La Di Da Gunner Graham for the heads-up

Let’s chase the racist EDL out of east London

It was standing room only as activists came
together at the anti-EDL rally (Pic: Kelvin Williams)

Activists are ready for a huge march to confront the English Defence League (EDL) when it tries to come to east London on 3 September.

That was the clear message as some 600 people crammed into the London Muslim Centre in east London for a rally against the racists on Friday of last week. The meeting was organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and United East End.

Roses were handed out to people as they came into the room and held aloft during a minute’s silence in solidarity with the people of Norway. Three trade unionists and socialists travelled from Norway to address the meeting. They got huge applause.

Randi, a public sector worker, told the meeting, “People immediately tried to blame Islam for the attacks in Norway. This attack is an attack on us all—the working class and the labour movement.”

The speakers on the platform reflected the meeting itself. There were experienced and first time activists, Muslims, Jews, Christians and socialists, LGBT people, disabled people and others.

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone said, “Londoners came together 75 years ago to stop the fascists in what was then a predominantly Jewish area. We must come together to stop their successors now.”

Leon Silver, from the local Nelson Street Synagogue, was defiant.

“The fascists don’t get it,” he said. “We are united in our diversity and mutual respect.”

Tazmin Ali, a school student in the borough, added, “Growing up in Tower Hamlets, I’ve never faced major racism. People here are accepting of other people.”

Rebecca Shaw from the LGBT group Rainbow Hamlets, which works closely with the East London mosque, told the meeting, “I say to the EDL: LGBT people may be part of your agenda—but you are not part of ours.”

While a number of speakers spoke in favour of banning the EDL march, everyone agreed to march against the EDL.

Socialist Worker says we must confront fascism on the streets, not rely on the state.http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=25575

Martin Smith from UAF and Love Music Hate Racism agrees. He said, “They say Breivik is the devil’s spawn. But where did that spawn grow? In Angela Merkel’s attack on multiculturalism, in Sarkozy banning the veil in France, and when David Cameron said Muslims have failed to integrate here. I don’t want to upset the meeting — but I don’t trust Theresa May.”

Omer Ahmed from the Council of Somali Organisations, said, “Somali immigrants have been fighting racists since the race riots of 1919. It is outrageous that the prime minister has not said a word about this EDL march.”

Adrian Newman, Bishop of Stepney, added, “Martin Luther King said, ‘Our lives begin to end when we stay silent about things that matter’. This matters.”

The EDL must be confronted on 3 September, and not be allowed to rampage through the heart of the East End.

National demonstration against the racist EDL: Assemble from 11am at Weavers Fields, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HW. Go to www.uaf.org.uk for transport details.

Socialist Worker

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Traders raise concerns at route taken by EDL march

Businesses have raised concerns over the decision to allow the English Defence League's protest march at the Barbican over the weekend.

As hundreds of people enjoyed the scene and historic part of the city, many voiced their dismay at the large police presence and the slogan-chanting of the EDL. One shopkeeper – who asked not to be named – said: "They are allowed to march, that's democracy. But why march them along here, where all our tourists are, where our businesses are trying to show the best of Plymouth?"

Professor David Wheeler, who chairs the Waterfront Partnership, witnessed the march as it travelled the length of Southside Street and onto Madeira Road. He expressed his "serious disappointment" that the march had been "routed through the touristic heart of the city."

He said: "The waterfront businesses are multi-cultural in ownership and in their customer base. As the showcase of an international marine city, the Barbican should not be used for demonstrations that many would find divisive and offensive. I was especially concerned that children on the Barbican might have found the tone of the demonstration frightening and that Race Week business could suffer. I will be writing to the police authorities asking for information on how such demonstrations can be prevented in the future."

A police spokesman said: "There was consultation between both march organisers and the police concerning the route of their processions. There were inevitably going to be some parts of the community who did not want either march to go through their respective area. However, we are duty bound to respect the right to peaceful protest and that meant accommodating both marches in the best way possible by lessening impact on the local community wherever we could.

"Initial feedback from many areas of the community concerning the police operation on Saturday has been very positive and we would thank all residents for their co-operation in helping this process."

A 28-year-old is due before magistrates on July 20 charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Four more men arrested on public order offences and another man arrested on suspicion of assault have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

This is Plymouth

EDL could march again in Cambridgeshire

The English Defence League (EDL) could target Ely following its march in Cambridge. Muslims want to build a ‘miniature mosque’ at Paradise Centre fields, but the EDL could take to Ely’s streets against it.

Police estimated more than 1,000 people attended the two marches on Saturday - the EDL march and counter-protest in Cambridge by Unite Against Fascism and the Trades Council.

Arbury resident Ross Ground, 32, a member of EDL’s Cambridge Division, said: “I cannot confirm there will be a march in Ely but members of the East Anglian branch who came on Saturday said they were looking into it if the plans for a mosque go ahead. I think the march on Saturday went off pretty well and there were only a few arrests. We had about 700 to 1,000 members attend. The police were fully co-operative with us.”

The management committee of the Ely centre told the city’s Muslims it would lease them part of its land if they gained planning permission. The group has around 50 members who gather inside the centre on Fridays.

Mohammed Tahir, from Ely, said: “The EDL have threatened to march in Ely if the Muslim community of Ely go ahead with plans to build a mosque here.”

More than 650 officers and staff from six forces, including Cambridgeshire, policed the EDL and opposition march by the Trade Union Council and Unite Against Fascism, which claimed it had around 2,000 attend. Police praised Cambridge residents following Saturday’s protests.

Insp Robin Sissons said: “They are familiar with and generally supportive of protest activity and this was evident on Saturday. Their tolerance, combined with the joint operation by police and partner agencies, meant the protests were largely peaceful with only minor disorder and some minor disruption to residents, visitors and businesses in the city.”

He added: “It was heartening to hear that members of the community who reported tension before the protests, then praised the tone and nature of the policing operation after it was complete.”

Cambridge News

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Three arrests as EDL and UAF march through Plymouth

Three people were arrested as far-right group the English Defence League and anti-fascist group United Against Fascism marched through Plymouth today.

The rally and counter-rally were heavily policed and passed without incident, according to city officers.

EDL estimated they had 200 people at the event although other reports put the figure between 120 and 150. UAF claimed to have 500 people at their counter-event although figures of 300 to 400 are reported. There were 400 police at the events.

Devon and Cornwall Police closely monitored both peaceful protests and ensured the communities of Plymouth were allowed to go about their normal business as much as possible. Traffic was kept moving in the city centre throughout the day by what officers described as 'a proportionate policing operation which was welcomed by the community'. The marches began shortly after 1pm and were completed by 3.30pm.

Superintendent Craig Downham said: “This was a considerable policing operation and my hope is that the public felt reassured by the number of police officers and PCSOs on the streets talking to them. Our aim was to lessen the impact of the marches as much as possible while allowing their right to peaceful protest. With only three arrests and no incidents of note, this should be deemed a success.”

Officers from Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire police were all involved in the operation which also involved mounted units from Avon and Somerset.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, a 45-year-old man on suspicion of breach of the peace and a 25-year-old man for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of cannabis. All three men currently remain in police custody.

Supt Downham added: “We are experienced in policing large public events and today’s activity was no different. What it does do is give us a chance to test our operational capabilities as well as build on the close working relationship we have with our other forces regionally. It was a demonstration that we can deal with large numbers and keep our communities running as normal as much as possible, while ensuring people feel safe and supported throughout.”

This is Plymouth

Five arrests during Cambridge EDL and anti-fascist marches

Five people were arrested after scuffles broke out as the English Defence League (EDL) and anti-fascists marched in Cambridge.

The number of people marching with United Against Fascism (UAF) and the TUC swelled from about 300 to 1,000 during the day, police said. About 350 people were on the EDL march, according to police.

More than 650 officers from six forces took part in the policing operation. Police said it was largely peaceful.

Those arrested were: a 36-year-old man from Norwich, on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly; a 48-year-old man from Colchester, Essex, on suspicion of a public order offence; a man aged 27 from Ely, Cambridgeshire, on suspicion of a public order offence; an 18-year-old man from Peterborough on suspicion of affray; and a man aged 28 from Cambridge, arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence.

Insp Robin Sissons said: "In the end it was a largely peaceful protest with only minor disorder and some minor disruption to residents, visitors and businesses in the city."

BBC