Saturday 21st July ‘Working Class Unity Against Racism & Fascism’

photo credit: M Kirkham

Today various far right groups (CXF,NWI,NF and BNP) tried to attack a march against racism and fascism starting in Toxteth.

The march was organised by Liverpool Irish Patriots Republican Flute Band, in commemoration of local Trade Unionist James Larkin, the fash stopped a march by this group in February this year, claiming it was IRA.

Obviously the fascists with little understanding of British politics can’t be expected to understand the difference between republicans and IRA or even the various IRA factions and splinter groups and differing opinions to the Good Friday agreement.

The fash attempted to leaflet the local area and claim ‘The IRA are going to try and march through Liverpool’ it was obvious some members of the public believed this hype, what was also obvious was that despite that the fash had pulled from other areas, they had a poor turnout, and antifascists, mingled with the crowd and explained the position to many members of the public.

Large banners made it clear that the march was actually against racism and fascism and many members of the community showed support for the march, despite best efforts of the fascists, they couldn’t stop the march, and so they tried to attack it.

Again these attacks were foiled by militant antifascists on the outsides of the march who quickly dealt with the threat and forced the fascists away from the group. At the end of the march around 200 people made up of UAF, trade unions, the local community and various antifascist groups gathered to hear the speeches, and then went on to a social event, whilst fash went back to defending the boozer under the watchful eye of the police.

One thing that needs to be noted here but I will address soon in a more detailed post is that wearing a vis-vest does not give you any kind of authority over others on their march, and people should not be so quick to do the police’s work for them, one blurt in a jacket in particular removed the hood of a young man who was in a scuffle with police, rather than assist in a successful de-arrest (as had happened several times throughout the day) this traitor took it upon himslef to remove the young man’s hood and then attempt to chastise him from wearing it, before swiftly being told where to go by the de-arresting comrades.

Also on several occassions ‘protesters’ dragged antifascists off fascists and pulled them away, when the antifascists where simply defending themselves (and the march) from fash who had broke through police lines, again this is 100% unacceptable, how can people feel they have the right to interfere and do the police’s job for them? like I said this appears to be a recurring issue and I feel a lengthy post coming up about it.

Today was a definite win for the organised working class in Liverpool, the march went ahead, we outnumbered the fash, any fash attempts at attack were sent packing and as far as im aware (at the time of writing) everyone got home safely.

reproduced via - http://1solutionrevolution.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/saturday-21st-july-working-class-unity.html

STOP THE BNP DEMO IN GLASGOW – 28TH JULY 2012

On Saturday 28 July, the BNP will descend on Glasgow city centre for what leader Nick Griffin is calling the “biggest nationalist demonstration ever in Glasgow”. It follows their failed attempts – alongside their fascist chums in the Scottish Defence League – to carry out activity on Buchanan Street over two Saturdays in July so far. On both occasions, passers by and local anti-fascists have united to show their opposition to the BNP and SDL – and they were soon sent packing. Saturday 28th must be a huge show of force against the fascists – they shall not pass!

*MEET BY THE BLUE POLICE BOX/ALL SAINTS, BUCHANAN ST.  ***(11AM)***

http://www.facebook.com/events/415888435136291/

….And don’t come back!

Interesting coverage from “The Post” (AKA “the Pest)  of Saturdays march, especially this…

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/EDL-point-won-t-soon/story-16542404-detail/story.html

well, time will tell, but we’ll be watching ya.

Also ongoing discussions on Bristol Indymedia about the weekend, including a debate about whether or not it was a victory, or fail (why is it either or, surely there where elements of both during the day?)

http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/710367?&condense_comments=false#comment56635

Also if anyone has any footage that can help those arrested, see http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/710375

Solidarity.  Bristol Antifascists.

 

Police protect the fash in Brizzle

Bristol Antifascists would like to thank everyone who came yesterday and made sure the EDL got the welcome they deserved. As a local shop keeper said: “Silly bastards!” There was a wide range of tactics shown; we made sure they were hounded all day and that they were driven out of town. Numbers of EDL range from 250-300 according to online reports. Pretty pathetic for what was meant to be one of their biggest demos. Despite a large mobilising effort in Bedminster, the glory days where they could get 1,500 on th e streets have passed. Clearly the EDL’s days are numbered. Another rainy day, but antifascists were out till late monitoring the activities of the cops and the EDL. They were massively outnumbered.

Total of 16 arrests we think, not bad considering the scale of the operation (700 officers). Despite the “exclusion zones” people managed to move around the city with little effort. Burning barricades were erected in Redcliffe as the Police tried to move the EDL out of Queen’s Square. People stood their ground as Police brought out batons, dogs and horse charges to try and disperse the crowd of antifascists. The Police then escorted the EDL back to Temple Meads where they loaded them onto trains and coaches. It was great how folk came together for the solidarity demo outside the cop shop. The police tried it on with a couple more late night arrests in a park when the sound system tried to leave (folks released and NFA).

It’s been pointed out a few times in the last few weeks, and in some lovely graffiti in Easton, but BAF just wants to highlight the ridiculous (shock horror! The filth being out of order?!) “St Pauls Carnival £30,000 cancelled. EDL £500,000 allowed.” Well, actually, this is a conservative estimate and online reports say over £1,000,000. ) We reject fascism and racism in all its forms. We also reject a state-based response. They are all part of the same problem….. For ongoing resistance and solidarity. We are still watching you…. Bristol Antifascists. http://bristol.indymedia.org/ http://antifascistnetwork.wordpress.com 

Anti-racist and Proud!

QUEER KAFF BLOC on Bristol Pride 14th July.. join the march, http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/709833
*Against all oppression. Against the EDL: Anti-racist and Proud bloc at Bristol pride*
On the 14th July,  a group of LGBTQI people will be marching as an Anti-Racist and Proud Block on We are: Proud Pride Parade.This is in response to the far right group the English Defence League’s intenton to march in Bristol on the same day as this year’s Bristol Pride.
*“We believe that having an explicit, and visible anti-racist presence at the pride parade will send a strong message that the EDL are not welcome in Bristol, and not welcome at Bristol pride. We refuse to allow the EDL to mask their message of hatred by falsely claiming to support the LGBTQI community.*” said one organiser.
Participants on the Block will be dressed in Pink and Black, colours of LGBT resistance to racism and fascism. They will carry banners and placards saying “No homophobia, No racism” and “Islamaphobia is Racism in disguise” and “Racist EDL do nothing for Gay Rights”
A woman who will march said *“The EDL claim that by attacking Islam they are defending gay rights, and the rights of women. I will march with this block to challenge this cynical attempt to co-opt our struggles in order to use them as a weapon against Muslims.”*
Participants on the block will walk from Berkeley Square, Clifton, through the streets of Bristol. They will hand out leaflets and engage with other Pride participants about the issue. * “The EDL say that they aren’t racist, and that their problem is with Islam and not Muslims, but islamaphobia has a direct effect on Muslims, the majority of whom are of African and Asian descent. This means Muslims will be targeted, including LGBTQI Muslim people. What they promote is simply racism in the form of islamophobia.”*
Block organisers have said that they support anyone organising counter demonstrations, and that they believe a diversity of tactics is needed in opposition the EDL

Contact us! Bust card and other stuff

Contact the network on bristolantifascists [at]riseup.net

Sign up to twitter @stopedl  or #stopedl

Check Bristol Indymedia for updates http://bristol.indymedia.org

and our bustcard is here http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/710077

BrizzBustCardA4

Also we made a lovely display, if you were wondering why you were taking to the streets……

edl display for email acc

See ya there, stay safe, stay mobile.  Line the route. Bring yer mates.

EDL Bristol March Organiser Photographed Giving Nazi Salute at Bradford Demo

Anybody who knows a little about the English Defence League knows that their claims to be merely against “Islamic extremism” is just a front for their deeper, more sinister agenda. While the EDL may claim to be non-racist and anti-fascist, the core of their movement is made up of fascists and Nazi sympathizers. One example of this is Mickey Bayliss. Mickey recently appeared in the local rag, The Post, presenting himself as a friendly face of the English Defence League. Mickey Bayliss identified himself as one of the organisers of the Bristol demo to take place on Saturday July 14th. Like most people involved in the EDL, Mickey claims that the organisation isn’t racist or homophobic and claims that “any racist chanting, would be identified and reported to the police.”

A quick online search of Mickey Bayliss’s moniker (the oh-so original Mickey English Bayliss) brings you straight to this page (http://edlnews.co.uk/index.php/featured-stories/edl-nazis/310-mickey-english-bayliss) where Mickey’s Nazi saluting photo is presented along with a host of other information.

Mickey Bayliss may be an extreme case of fascism within the English Defence League but if the so-called organiser of the Bristol EDL demo has been photographed giving Nazi salutes at previous demos, what strength does that give to his claims that the EDL are a non-racist, anti-fascist organisation? If Mickey Bayliss is claiming that he will report all “rogue elements” within the march to the Police then he should start with himself! It is up to all of us to oppose the English Defence League when they come to Bristol on July 14th! Bristol Anti-Fascists has already put out a call-out for people to oppose the EDL:

OPPOSE THE EDL MARCH IN BRISTOL
ASSEMBLE: TEMPLE MEADS AREA*
11AM SATURDAY 14TH JULY!
(*Start point may change. Wherever they start, we will stop them! See online for up-to-date info.)