Yesterday I wrote the article “You are just as bad as they are” which it seems has so far been well received.
However I have seen a few points in some comments which need clarifying.
“Unfortunately physical force and anti-fascism has far more cheerleaders than practitoners.” (KR)
Whilst I do agree with this massively, there are those who do practice physical force anti-fascism. Unfortunately now in a minority though, I am confident that those who back up their words with actions are on the rise.
“It has become a brand of identity politics for people who wish to portray themselves as ‘hard left’.” (KR)
I doubt that the concept of physical force anti-fascism has become a brand of identity politics as it is a set of tactics. Black bloc in this country has become an identity and a lot of the cheerleading can be found there. Like I said in my first article, this is not the case for everyone who uses black bloc tactics in this country, some are very good activists but now it is largely militant chic.
“Arguably it’s moment has also come and gone – Dover where these pictures were taken was a disaster for the far-right with nearly 70 of them before the courts and receiving lengthy jail sentences compared to the handful of ours who got done. “ (KR)
People seem to keep citing the example of Dover as an indicator of how physical force anti-fascism is finished. Dover seems to have become the be all and end all in this regard. The fascists returned to Dover after that demo so they were hardly discouraged from ever going there again. Plus 70 fascists were hauled before the courts but only somewhere between 20-30 were convicted. On the other hand, on that very same day a particularly brutal confrontation between anti-fascists and Chelsea Headhunters took place at Maidstone Services, a place with loads of CCTV (which often fails as evidence or fails to detect). Only one person has been convicted as a result of that confrontation (a fascist) and that was not because of CCTV or witness testimony but because he was the clown who drew a swastika on a coach with his own blood. It was DNA evidence which done him. There are loads of examples of confrontations other than Dover where not a single person (on either side) has even been arrested never mind charged and convicted. Confrontations do not have to take place on demos either.
Fascists often instinctively know that any ‘repression’ by the state against their side is mere window dressing so I doubt they would hardly be discouraged by events at Dover.
“They have very little street presence right now.” (KR)
I disagree with this. There may be less marches and demos after Dover but for example, in the last few months there have been two sizeable ultra-right/fascist demos up in the North East and a large one in Liverpool. Fascist street presence is not confined to demos either. Fascists have to move about and they have other events. Fascists have mobilised against left meetings and rallies for instance. Fascists walk around the streets in daily life, you catch my drift.
“but I have to ask where were all the proponents of physical force anti-fascism when the EDL were marching thousands through the heart of Muslim and immigrant communities?” (KR)
For a start in some parts of the country, the EDL marched/march through entirely or majority white areas so their demos are not confined exclusively to Muslim and immigrant areas (but granted, the majority were). The BNP, National Front, Combat 18, Blood and Honour and the British Movement were smashed off the streets by Anti-Fascist Action and their fellow travelers. This created a period where fascists retreated to the ballot box and has largely declined in the last few years. The EDL took to the streets in 2009, this signalled a return to the streets. Between that time and the decline in fascist street activity, there was a period where militant street activity was at an absolute minimum and in some places, non-existent. When the EDL came around in 2009, a lot of people opposing the EDL were left inexperienced and without the confidence to physically confront them. This is slowly but surely changing as people are gaining experience, knowledge and confidence. Besides, EDL members often got ran and slapped about, mostly by Joe Public opposing them but containing a few militants willing to put their money where their mouth is. Examples can be found in Bradford and Tower Hamlets (where they were confronted at Tower Bridge where their arses dropped and also on the same day in Mile End where their coach got done in with them on board) among others.
Personally speaking, I was not in the UK at that time and my private Anti-Fascist Air Force jet was out of fuel so I can be excused.
“not to diminish your larger point that there’s a bunch of muffin-men” (DB)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Muffinman&defid=2197869
If the above link is the definition of “muffin-men” as you intended it, that is not an insult.
I give my responses with the most amicable of intentions because I simply wish to respond. Please do not take this as me having a go, that is not how it is intended.