Reports & Updates

Stop the EDL in Bournemouth

August 14, 2014

General

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

Oppose the racist English Defence League in Bournemouth on 23rd August!

Once again this bizarre right-wing cult threatens one of the most peaceful and diverse communities in the south. Their proposed ‘Bournemouth against the Islamification of Britain’ march is a crude provocation to a section of the population that has been here since before most of them were born. They want to come and cause disharmony within our welcoming multicultural town and we will be there to “Say NO” to their unwelcome and unwanted racism.

A broad-based coalition, ‘We are Bournemouth’ comprising unions, community organizations, traders and individuals from all walks of life has called for a massive, inclusive, family-friendly counter demonstration against racism and fascism.

Local antifascist groups such as BHstopEDL, StopEDL Bournemouth and of course the Anti Fascist Network will also be out and about on the day, something for everyone. Bournemouth EDL are expecting their fascist mates to come from all over, so we call on antifascists from across the south to join us on the day.

Watch this space for more details. In the meantime, get your friends together and sort out your transport. See you on the streets!
Far-right loses two leaders in a week! Fascists in disarray – Anti-fascists can take credit

July 29, 2014

General

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

They’re falling like nine-pins!

This week saw BNP fuhrer Nick Griffin pushed out by his own party shortly after becoming unemployed due to losing his seat in the European Parliament. As if that were not enough, a few days later we had Britain First founder and main funder Jim Dowson quitting and pulling the plug on funding the far-right wannabe paramilitary group.

Just like when chief racist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon quit the EDL because – surprise-surprise – the organisation he founded was full of racists, long-time Christian bigot and racist Dowson’s sudden implausible discovery that Britain First was a bit racist really tells another story.

With both Griffin and Dowson (and Yaxley as well), it has been the relentless pressure on the far-right from anti-fascists and anti-racists that has undermined and worn down the fascists. From researchers digging the dirt and websites cataloguing or mocking their every racist utterance, to leafletters on the streets, crowds of local people opposing them wherever they go and dedicated anti-fascists confronting them physically on the streets – it has been this work of thousands of people that has been responsible for their failure and our success.

Their lack of success has exacerbated tensions within the far-right that have then led to splits, denunciations and total failure. A Britain First statement admits as much by saying Dowson’s decision was partly due to his “persecution” by the “far-Left” – i.e. opposition from people who don’t like racists.

Piss Poor Tour of Shame

Britain First looked like a slick professional outfit and appeared to be on a roll with hundreds of thousands of Facebook followers, until they were stripped of 150,000 of them for purchasing them from a click farm. Then they embarked on a ‘national roadshow’. This would seem like a natural move, but it only highlighted the gulf between their pretensions on social media and their lack of real-world support. None of their meetings across the country attracted more than 20 people, and that’s including the goon squad they brought with them. They faced opposition from anti-fascists almost everywhere they went and had their venues cancel on them in Sheffield and Dartford. Eventually they just abandoned the whole thing, cancelling gigs in Bristol and Belfast that were supposed to be the culmination of their tour.

In a further humiliation, Britain First were chased out of Stevenage and given a slap by soldiers of the Royal Anglian regiment that they idolise.

Now following Dowson pulling the plug, Britain First’s remaining leader Paul Golding says their strategy of ‘mosque invasions’ will cease. He also said “we’re not going anywhere”. Funnily enough that’s exactly what Griffin said before being kicked out as BNP leader. Note to fascists: Groups which aren’t failing don’t need to keep repeating that they’re not going anywhere.

How will Britain First manage without Dowson’s money? Will Golding try and struggle on with ever increasing appeals to the faithful for cash or without it’s sugar-daddy will the groupuscule just evaporate into nothing?

And what now for the BNP? They’re going to start looking like a less professional outfit as the Euro MEP money dries up and it’s not looking good as they just pushed Griffin out in favour of an even less attractive leader.

One thing’s for sure: Even though anti-fascists are currently getting organised and stronger as the fascists fall to pieces, the threat still remains and we must remain vigilant and organised against racists and fascists to make sure they don’t get a chance to re-organise.
Britain First bottle Bristol date

July 21, 2014

General

The woeful Britain First national roadshow became even more of a shambles yesterday as the Bristol date was postponed at the last minute. This followed the cancellation of their Dartford meeting the night before, along with a humiliating turnout and disruptive opposition from anti-fascists who rumbled their new meeting point in Swanley, Kent.

The far-right group was formed by ex-BNP members in 2011 following heavy infighting in the party. Hoping to use the traditional far-right strategy of combining electoral politics with a street pressence, their ‘battalions’ (usually only made up of the same small handful of activists) have gained media coverage with ‘Christian patrols’ in east London and ‘Mosque invasions,’ and recently with leader Paul Golding trying to get himself arrested. Britain First have also built a large online profile through the use of social media, albeit through misleading means and with the help of ‘bought’ popularity to push their poisonous message.

The choice of tactics should hardly be surprising given that the two main players and founders of the party, Paul Golding and Jim Dowson, are the ex-Head of Publicity for the BNP and a ferociously anti-choice, Christian fundamentalist with links to Loyalist paramilitaries, respectively.

Britain First – combining far-right electoral politics with Loyalist paramilitary-inspired ‘defence forces’

However it would appear their large online pressence has not translated into support in the non-virtual world. They have had a pitiful turnout at all of the dates on their tour and have faced opposition wherever they have been in the country so far.

Yesterday the organisation were due to meet at Patchway train station at 1.30pm but postponed the event the night before blaming ‘adverse police actions.’ The police have denied any involvement in this and insist that BF decided to cancel the meeting themselves. Sure that the actions of our south eastern comrades the night before and work done by locals played a huge part in the Bristol postponement, we spent the afternoon playing a celebratory game of football in the glorious north Bristolian sunshine.

Britain First claim that they will be back in Bristol within a month. We will have to see if they come true on this but we’re sure that many people will be out to oppose them if they do.

Article below taken from – schnews.org.uk

Going for Golding

The much heralded Britain First roadshow ain’t going too well. After being forced to cancel their Dartford meeting, Britain First were once again humiliated tonight after another pathetic turnout, this time in nearby Swanley.

Under police guard Britain First fail to be mobbed by enthusiastic support in Swanley

Paul Golding (co-incidentally winner of this week’s Crap Arrest) might have expected a better turn out in a town where he once was a BNP councillor. In the end though despite the last minute venue change and an attempt at eluding discovery* Britian First found themselves outnumbered and surrounded by anti-fascists.

After a 45 minute stand off they left escorted by police, with no local support.

Within minutes they had cancelled the next stop on the itinerary – Bristol, blaming ‘adverse police action’. We’re sure that’s true and not in any way because they got cold feet at the thought of heading to a town with an even more fearsome anti-fascist reputation than Swanley.

**Top tip – while a Land Rover in desert camoflauge is probably great for lurking in a wadi in the Yemen it’s a tad conspicous in a Kentish town centre.
Growing opposition to Britain First’s pathetic ‘national tour’

July 11, 2014

General

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

Britain First – the new kids on the block of right-wing racial and religious hatred – have spent the last few days on a ‘national tour’ of pub function rooms. Previous to this their main activity has been a series of controversial publicity stunts ‘invading’ mosques. With a notable lack of irony they chose to protest against Muslims supposedly imposing Islam on everyone by forcing their way into mosques around the country, intimidating elderly Muslims and forcing Bibles into their hands.

They have got a bunch of publicity and a lot of Facebook ‘likes’ from stunts involving a handful of members, but have never held a demo or been forced to show their hand on the streets in terms of how much support they actually have. So the last few days of their ‘national tour’ have been an interesting illustration of how Facebook likes relate to real world boots on the street, i.e. not at all – you might have got a lot of clicks for posting up pictures of sick puppies and Rik Mayall, but that doesn’t mean anyone’s willing to leave the house for you.

Thursday – Glasgow

The tour got off to a bad start in Glasgow on Thursday as a grand total of 18 fascists turned up (eventually!) to be met by a couple of hundred anti-fascists. Most of the 18 were the same halfwits who invade mosques , i.e. they brought them with them – not locals.

A Scottish comrade writes: “Where was Britain First? Nazi Britain First stood us up tonight in Glasgow! Where was the leadership? Despite the menacing talk and threats, they were a no show at 7.30 pm tonight at Cessnock Subway – their publicly advertised meeting place and time. On the Britain First Facebook page they were ‘Calling all loyal Scottish Patriots’ to come join them at this time. Looks like they didn’t bother!”

“Eventually towards the end about 5 members of Nazi Britain First straggled out of neighbouring side streets, close to our counter demo and were quickly opposed to shouts of ‘Nazi scum of our streets’.”

“It was apparent from Britain First’s lack of appearance tonight, that they do not have the confidence, the leadership or cadre to take to the streets (pre-announced) and be challenged by organised local communities and workers. Britain First prefer to arrive unannounced and to invade mosques during the daytime where their only challenge is Muslim elders.”

Newcastle – Friday

In Newcastle on Friday, Britain First met at the Forest Hall Workmans Social Club. They appeared to have lost a few as only 13 turned up. Most of the 13 were the halfwits who invade mosques .

‘Sheffield’ – Saturday

Britain First’s gig in ‘Sheffield’ on Saturday was actually in Dronfield, which is in a different county! They had booked the meeting in a pub under a false name and when the pub found out who they were hosting, Britain First had their event cancelled got told to fuck off when they turned up. They ended up having to meet on a patch of grass by Dronfield station.

If you’re in the area, support the pub that told Britain First to go elsewhere.

Wigan – Sunday

On Sunday in Wigan the fascists were down to 8 actual punters in addition to the usual goon squad. Yet again the secret location of their meeting was rumbled by anti-fascists. When fascists showed up at the Park Lane Club in Bryn they got chased by 20 anti-fascists. The police turned up and Britain First’s leader Paul Golding was forced to hide (no doubt unwillingly) in an Asian corner shop.

Up next…

So for a new far-right street movement hoping to seize the EDL’s mantle as thugs-du-jour they are hardly covering themselves in glory so far. They havent managed more than 20 people anywhere even if you include the leadership and all the goons that travel with them, despite their 500k Facebook likes!

The next dates for Britain First’s pathetic attempt to drag their sorry caravan of racism around the country are:
*18th July – Coventry
*19th July – Dartford
*20th July – Bristol
*23rd July – Belfast

Locals in some of these areas are organising to oppose the dismal convoy of Nazis. Give them your support!

More information about Britain First here
Britain First is anti working class

July 10, 2014

General

taken from – londonantifascists.wordpress.com

Anyone that has worked a minimum wage job will know that it doesn’t matter how hard you work, how much profit you create for your company you will not see a penny of it. This, however, is not the view of the fascist grouplet Britain First who recently shared this image:

Underneath in the comments section there are numerous angry ‘supporters’ who assumed that this party was the party of the ‘white working class’, the party that would liberate them from Jewish bankers, immigrants and whoever else the right wishes to scapegoat for the misery of working class people. And things certainly are miserable for us, I work in a well known British coffee chain three days a week while doing a full time degree and I barely make enough to pay the rent, meanwhile my stores profit has rocketed by 19% on last year in a time of recession. What we have seen since the financial crash is massive profits for the rich and a squeeze on wages and conditions for working class people like myself that has pushed us into living a hand to mouth existence. In response to this the right and the far-right has gone into overdrive blaming this crisis on everything from ‘health tourism’ to cheap Romanian labour driving wages down.

What we see in both the Britain First example and the stories in the rightwing media is a very simple fact, they are both against the interests of the working class. It doesn’t matter how Paul Golding talks, the flat cap he wears or his appeals to the white working class, he does not represent you. When the far right say cut immigration, we say raise the minimum wage. When the rightwing press say cut back on migrants taking benefits we say tax the rich. When they all say they will make Britain rule the waves again, we say let the working class rule.

Our antifascism is working class unity, it is first and foremost in defence of working class interests and it is for the realisation of working class power. In contrast, groups like Britain First are nothing but a razorblade in the hands of the bosses.
Solidarity from Bristol to Tottenham

June 29, 2014

General

Bristol Antifascists stand in solidarity with the Tottenham community and anti-fascists in London following the recent attack on a family music event by a mob of Polish fascists

On Saturday 21st June, a small, family-orientated ‘Music Day’ festival was being held in Marksfield Park, Tottenham, north London. A group of around 40 Polish neo-Nazis and football hooligans belonging to Zjednoczeni Emigranci (ZE – United Emigrants) attacked the event with flares, rocks and bottles. Attendees defended themselves, pushing back the fascist attack. A Polish festival goer was stabbed during the fight, fortunately only suffering superficial injuries. A Jewish man was also assaulted by the group before they reached the festival, with one ZE member arrested for religiously aggravated common assault.

Two days later, 200 locals and anti-fascists gathered in Marksfield Park to demonstrate against the attacks on the community. London-based Polish anti-fascists, Dywizjon 161, have been at the forefront of this response to the attack, along with London Antifascists and London Black Revs. They have cleared the park of fascist stickers and graffiti, leafletted the area and created a visible anti-fascist and anti-racist presence there.

On Saturday 28th a second rally and march was held in Marksfield Park, with between 200-300 people attending. The same evening anti-fascists in Bristol gathered in solidarity, holding a collection and leafletting session in a number of pubs, raising awareness and funds to be used in our work and to support others.

At a time when far-right attacks are on the rise in this country and the political establishment along with the mainstream media are using the age old tactic of divide and rule, we need to stand together now more than ever. We are proud to work alongside anti-fascists from across the world here in the UK and realise that the recent events stress the need for a diverse, organised and militant anti-fascist movement in this country. Fascist organisation must be and will be resisted in whatever guise it takes, wherever it comes from.

For international working class solidarity and community self defence. Zero tolerance of fascism!
Anti-fascists organise against neo-Nazi violence in North London

June 25, 2014

General

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

On Saturday a group of Polish neo-Nazis from the group Zjednoczeni Emigranci (ZE – United Immigrants) attacked the small ‘Music Day’ festival in Markfield Park in Tottenham, North London assaulting a Jewish man and stabbing another Polish man. This pre-planned and unprovoked attack on a family music festival was carried out by a group of about 40 fascists and involved throwing glass bottles, stones and flares. Several other people were injured.

The individual who was stabbed purely through luck suffered only superficial injuries. One member of ZE has been arrested for religiously aggravated common assault in connection with the assault against a Jewish man.

In response UAF swiftly called a vigil outside Tottenham Town Hall on Monday evening. A crowd of about 200 anti-fascists gathered and listened to speeches including from 43 Group veteran Monty Goldman.

After the end of the UAF rally, a group of around 100 led by the Polish anti-fascist group Dywizjon 161 marched up Tottenham High Road to Markfield Park and removed ZE graffiti and stickers throughout the area, replacing it with anti-fascist stickers and messages.

ZE have been gathering in the area of Markfield Park for some months, covering the area in their stickers and graffiti and holding large rallies of several hundred people in the park. Many local people, although aware of their presence were unaware of what sort of group they actually were.

Dywizjon 161 have called another demonstration for 3pm in Markfield Park this coming Saturday 28th. Anyone opposed to the presence of this group of violent racist hooligans in the area should make an effort to attend and show a united front against fascist violence. This call-out is being supported by London Anti-Fascists, London Black Revs and the AFN.

Dywizjon 161 – Facebook // Twitter