Anti-Fascist Network – Page 3 – Bristol Antifascists

by bristolantifascists - November 16, 2014November 17, 2014

Britain First stopped in Rochester

B2fQl_RIgAAQLWR

A great day for antifascists as Britain First were stopped in their tracks.

Police were nowhere to be seen as they let the visiting band of fascists move off from the train station and attempt to charge through the group of antifascists blocking the road. However, they were stopped in their tracks by militant antifascists that were more than a match for the plastic patriots. Paul Golding later bragged that they would have moved through the antifascists like a ‘knife through butter’ if the police weren’t ‘sabotaging’ their march. Well Paul, you had your chance and you failed. Maybe next time you might want to lead from the front rather than cowering behind your security? The police then took control of the fascist march, forcing through the lines of antifascists before it was finally blocked at the high-street and turned back.

This is just the latest in a string of defeats for the toothless Britain First that has seen its activists chased from the streets across the country. After being turned back from marching twice in Rochester it must be dawning on their leader that facebook likes do not translate into a street movement.

Paul Golding has promised more action after this latest defeat, we think he should learn his lesson and stay at home next time.

ITN Video: http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2014-11-15/clashes-between-marchers-as-rochester-by-election-campaign-continues/

See you on the streets!

London Anti-Fascists

by bristolantifascists - November 2, 2014November 17, 2014

Britain First Fascists Embarrassed in Rochester

from antifascistnetwork.org

Yesterday (01/11/14) was Britain First’s “National Day of Action” in Rochester, the town in which their deputy leader, Jayda Fransen, is standing for election. Despite talk on the internet of “hundreds of patriots”, barely 80 fascists actually made it, virtually none of whom were actually from Rochester or Strood. They were opposed and outnumbered by around 100 to 150 local residents and militant anti-fascists.

Although the party leadership told members that “good standards of behaviour apply”, right from the get-go, Britain First were embarrassing themselves. They hurled racist and homophobic abuse at anti-fascists, and clearly many of them were very much up for a fight, including Party Führer Paul Golding himself.

As both sides gathered at the station, things took a lurch towards the surreal as Britain First started playing epic orchestral music over a PA system. Hey guys, taking yourselves too seriously much? At this time prospective MP Jayda Fransen turned up, grabbing the mic in order to hurl abuse at anti-fascists, calling them “brainwashed traitors” who should be “hung, drawn and quartered”. Way to win over the local electorate, Jayda!

Meanwhile, anti-fascists regaled BF with some inventive chants including “You’re losing your deposit”, “where’ve your leaflets gone?” and “Royal Mail Royal Mail Royal Mail!”, those last two in reference to the fact that, hilariously, the Royal Mail has refused to deliver BF’s election leaflets, calling them “threatening” and “abusive”.

Soon the fascists tried to move off for a march. Quickly, anti-fascists got in front of them with a large “No Pasarán!” banner and blocked the road, leading to an hour-long stand off.

Whilst the local plod panicked and tried to figure out what to do, Führer Golding took to the microphone to repeatedly threaten anti-fascists, saying that “if the police don’t get rid of them, we will!”. Despite this posturing, they never made good on their threats (although Golding’s security team did repeatedly try to start fights with individual counter-protesters) and instead had to rely on Kent’s finest to force their march through.

Eventually, around an hour after they started their march, Britain First managed to reach their destination, a car park around 200 yards from the station where they initially mustered. They were promptly surrounded by anti-fascists and spent the next two hours attempting to give speeches over the heckles and abuse of locals and anti-fascists. Bizarrely, Jayda also burned a placard showing her face, which led to some very strange photos.

Also, eagle eyed anti-fascists spotted that the Britain First armoured Land Rover, last seen crashing into a car park barrier and being utterly humiliated in Swanley, spent the whole day parked in a disabled parking bay. Stay classy, lads.

One anti-fascist was arrested for refusing to give the police their details, but they were released without charge around 2 hours later.

All in all, Britain First were utterly humiliated, and it’s clear they have absolutely no local support in Rochester. Odds have shortened on them losing their deposit in the by-election on the 20th November.

In other anti-fascist news, several members of London Anti-fascists were on the huge Kobane solidarity march in central London yesterday. Solidarity with the Kurdish resistance!

by bristolantifascists - August 14, 2014

Stop the EDL in Bournemouth

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

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

bmth

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!

not on our manor

by bristolantifascists - July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

Britain First bottle Bristol date

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.

http://darkroom.sundayworld.com/800/0/7c43f8c2d1fffe70615a73760574aa41:491649d56af8a99dfc5eeefca12dc5c5/a-britian-first-rally — 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.

by bristolantifascists - July 11, 2014July 21, 2014

Growing opposition to Britain First’s pathetic ‘national tour’

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

by bristolantifascists - June 25, 2014June 30, 2014

Anti-fascists organise against neo-Nazi violence in North London

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

D161

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

by bristolantifascists - June 16, 2014June 25, 2014

Victory in Cricklewood! Fascists fail and retreat

taken from – antifascistnetwork.org

The anti-fascist mobilisation against the South East Alliance demonstration in Cricklewood this weekend was a resounding success. Approximately 200 anti-fascists confronted a mere 40 far-right marchers and prevented them from completing their march, forcing them to turn around and go back the way they came.

The SEA is an even more right-wing splinter group of the EDL that exists in an alliance with all the other tiny far-right splinter groups. Therefore the small number of far-right nationalists in North London on Saturday contained many familiar unpleasant faces from the English Volunteer Force, Casuals United, the March for England etc. Research by London Anti-Fascists correctly anticipated many of the unpleasant characters who would be there.

If anyone had any doubt about the politics of those on the SEA demo there are plenty of photos of marchers doing Nazi salutes and displaying neo-Nazi flags with the emblems of the Greek Golden Dawn and the Celtic Cross.

The pretext for the SEA demo was that above a kebab shop on Cricklewood Broadway is the office of a media organisation that supports the ex-governing party of Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood. In January, the house newspaper of the far-right – the Daily Mail – identified the location as “the centre of operations for Egypt’s once-mighty Muslim Brotherhood”. Hence the people of Cricklewood being besieged by racists – initially by Britain First earlier this year and now by the SEA.

The SEA arrived at Kilburn station and were escorted inside a mobile kettle of police towards Cricklewood Broadway. Anti-fascists assembled near the kebab shop target of the SEA and when they saw the SEA being brought towards them by the police, they moved swiftly to block the road. Headed up by a large ‘No Pasaran!’ banner, the crowd of locals, trade union members and anti-fascists from across London and beyond made sure that they did not pass.

Faced with a large and resolute crowd the police initially stopped the SEA about 20 metres from the anti-fascist crowd. There the fascists remained while plod scratched their heads for a bit, before finally deciding abandon the whole thing. To cheers and shouts of ‘goodbye – don’t come back!’ from the anti-fascists, the SEA were turned around and sent back the way they had come, without ever having got to the supposed destination of their demo. They were taken back to Kilburn station and removed from the area.

The SEA looked pissed off and bored and did not look like they were having a good time. Some of the retreating fash tried to duck into a Cricklewood pub for some relief, but were told in no uncertain terms to get out. Hopefully they’ll learn London is not fascist-friendly and they’ll stop coming back!

Saturday also saw the national conference of Unite Against Fascism at Congress House in central London. Some of the muppets from the SEA demo decided later in the day to go and try their luck there having a go at people attending the conference. They did not succeed in disrupting the conference at all, but lurked about making a nuisance of themselves. Some anti-fascists followed them from Cricklewood and scuffles ensued.

Good work was put in by many anti-fascists in the run up to the demo, leafletting and talking to locals in the area. Hopefully these links will bear more fruit in the future.

If you were arrested on Saturday or witnessed any arrests or assaults on anti-fascists, please contact GBC with any information.

Well done to all who took to the streets on Saturday to confront the far-right and to show them that they will never get an easy ride in London and that local communities will pull together and unite to keep them out.

by bristolantifascists - April 29, 2014June 5, 2014

Hunt Saboteurs Association announce affiliation with Anti-Fascist Network

Bristol Antifascists would like to show its support for the recent statement from the Hunt Saboteurs Association (which you can read below) and for the local hunt sab group, Bristol Hunt Saboteurs.

“The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) is pleased to announce its affiliation to the Anti-Fascist Network (AFN).

The HSA has always had a policy of inclusion, welcoming anyone into our ranks regardless of race, creed, gender, religion or sexuality, and has been forced over the years to confront and exclude people who have been proved to be racist or fascist. Our active members have for years been the subject of racist (and sexist) abuse from the hunting community which only highlights that our struggle to end hunting also promotes a more ethical attitude to both humans and animals. Anti-Fascist Network Logo

Both the HSA and AFN promote a policy of confronting those engaged in racism and hunting respectively, on the streets and in the countryside. To not only stop such activities continuing but also to highlight them to the wider public. While other organisations hide their heads in their hands, hoping that a few leaflets or email shots will make the problems go away, we are clear that the only way to end both hunting and racism is confront it head on, so those who partake of such actions and attitudes are clear that we will oppose them until they stop.

For any further enquiries please contact our Press Officer here.

huntsabs.org.uk

antifascistnetwork.wordpress.com
“

by bristolantifascists - April 28, 2014April 28, 2014

Another ‘March for England’ wash-out

article taken from schnews.org.uk

“They have become the fools in a carnival of anti-fascism” Stop MfE protestor.

Yesterday Brightonians once again played the unwilling hosts to the moronic March for England. As they have been for the last three years they were once again shown the door in spectacular fashion. They were on the wrong end of the full spectrum of resistance, from insults from passers-by to violent confrontations with autonomous anti-fascists – they were heckled and harried every step of the way. By 5 p.m the centre of town was entirely fascist free.

Sussex Police spent half a million quid to facilitate this dismal racist and homophobic trudge along the seafront. Without the cops the march wouldn’t have even started. “This march is all about hatred for the very town it takes place in – the EDL weren’t allowed into Tower Hamlets so why does Brighton have to put up with the March for England every year?” said one demonstrator we spoke to. “They’ve had their free speech – six years running now, and got the same answer every time”

The day began with most of the marchers in the Wetherspoons, getting pissed up. The gathering hordes of antifascists confronted them until forced away by policeant. All the weird and wonderful of Brighton were amassing right along the 300 metre route of the march, wondering whether they’d all got out of bed for the 3 men with ten flags at the start of the march. A little behind schedule, due to some scuffling, the rest of the marchers were escorted into their pen.

From what SchNEWS saw the march has been whittled down to a hardcore of racist and homophobic thugs. Once the cops had pushed a brief anti-fascist blockade out of the way with the use of horses the parade was underway. Barely 70 of them mustered for the actual demo and were shouted down by a crowd of 1000 or so with whistles and placards. One lone trombone player drowned out their speeches. A banner was hung out of a seafront window reading “Racists go home” to be greeted with rapturous applause by the counter-demo. They came, they squelched four hundred yards in the pouring rain from a pub and they squelched back again.

Meanwhile little skirmishes were breaking out across town as groups of nationalists tried to make their presence felt. More militant antifascist groups roamed the town seeking to confront them. It was clear that quite a few fash had made the decision not to even attend the march. A significant proportion of the counter-demo therefore hung back awaiting events. SchNEWS has heard of a string of punch-ups and kick-offs happening all over town during and after the main march. Eventually the nationalists – almost all out of towners were corralled together by cops. Laughably some of the opposition actually came through with their promise to dress up as Antifa, well nice try fellas, but as one anti-fascist quipped “You walk among us – then you crawl away”.

Even though most of the official counter-demo made it’s way home to get dry Brighton still had a few surprises up it’s collective sleeve. Around 100 fash were boxed in on Queens Rd as the cops tried to clear the way back to the railway station. Roadworks barriers were hastily converted into barricades. The force of numbers and a still vocal counter-protest meant that the cops had no alternative but to force the fash onto trains and buses and get them out of town.

The March for England could have had a worse day out in Brighton… but not by much. The road they were supposed to be marching on partially collapsed two days before; they were harangued in the pub before the march, thousands of people turned up to drown out the 80-100 boneheads shouting about England; their special undercover forces were sussed and chased out within seconds of arriving; they could not drink anywhere in town without anti fascists turning up; and it rained. But at least they got to wave some flags at the commie scum.

Altogether there were twenty seven arrests – fourteen of those were anti-fascists. Please do not post footage on the internet without thinking carefully about what it shows.

If you witnessed an arrest or have any useful information then contact stopmfe@ymail.com

For more on Anti-Fascism http://antifascistnetwork.wordpress.com/

by bristolantifascists - April 15, 2014April 22, 2014

AFN National Callout: Stop the March for England April 27th

Humiliated in previous years in Brighton, the racist March for England are this year calling on as many EDL splinter groups and outright Nazis as they can to bolster the numbers on their annual parade.

Accordingly the Anti-Fascist Network is urging all anti-fascists to head to Brighton on the 27th April to support the mobilisation to Stop the March for England.

Brighton has become a line in the sand for the far-right. Because Brighton is a relatively liberal cosmopolitan city, they see it as a hotbed of “anti-English activities”. They hate Brighton and they know that Brighton hates them, but they keep coming back because they cannot be seen to back down.

This year’s March for England has the added significance that it is a national outing for the newly formed far-right alliance the United British Patriots, which hopes to be the successor to the EDL on the streets. Now is the time to stand up to them before they have the opportunity to achieve this ambition.

A big show of strength in Brighton will send a clear message to this new alliance of fascists and to the far-right in general that the people of Brighton will never accept a far-right parade to go through their town unopposed.

All anti-fascists should mobilise to support them. All out for the 27th in Brighton!

Details

Meet Sun 27th April, Palace Pier roundabout, Brighton seafront to line the route of the march.

Time TBC nearer the date.

Contact your local AFN group for details of any transport to Brighton.

For information from the streets in advance and on the day:

Twitter: @stopmfe

Facebook

Web: stopmfe.wordpress.com

Phone: 07870 306788

Email: stopmfe@ymail.com