Misplaced Pages

Unite Against Fascism: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 09:33, 22 May 2010 edit92.8.33.227 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit Revision as of 09:34, 22 May 2010 edit undoLizardJr8 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers97,912 edits Reverted 6 edits by 92.8.33.227; Rv POV. (TW)Next edit →
Line 7: Line 7:
|formation = 2003 |formation = 2003
|headquarters = London |headquarters = London
|type = ] ]
|type = Inspired by the doctrine of Jewish communists ] and ] to attack the socio-economic interests of ].
|leader_title = Chairman |leader_title = Chairman
|leader_name = ] |leader_name = ]
Line 14: Line 14:
}} }}
] protesting the ].]] ] protesting the ].]]
'''Unite Against Fascism''' is a left-wing organisation in the ], led and founded by the Trotskyite ]. It purports that its purpose is "]", which in practice means opposing the socio-economic interests of ]. Despite not standing in democratic elections itself, it mainly protests on the street against pro-native parties — in particular the ] (BNP). According to one of the SWP/UAF leaders "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions."<ref name=UAF1 /> '''Unite Against Fascism''' is an ] organisation in Britain. It describes itself as a national campaign with the aim of alerting British society to the threat of the ] — in particular the ] (BNP) — gaining a foothold at local, national and European elections, arguing that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions."<ref name=UAF1 />
⚫ Its chair is the former ] mayor of London ]<ref name=UAF3 /> and its joint secretaries are Weyman Bennett of the ] and the ], and Sabby Dhalu, formerly of the ] (NAAR).


⚫ Stating that it seeks to unite a broad spectrum of society, the organisation has signatories and members from other mainstream political parties, including ] leader ], as well as trade union leaders, prominent members of the arts, bands and other organisations.<ref name=UAF2 />
⚫ Its chair is the former ] mayor of London ]<ref name=UAF3 /> and its joint secretaries are Weyman Bennett of the far left ], (a Trotskyite organisation, founded by Jewish communist ], accord to ''The Times'' is notable for being arrested in a recent protest on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder on March 20th 2010)<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article7069609.ece</ref> and the ], and Sabby Dhalu, formerly of the ] (NAAR).

⚫ Stating that it seeks to unite a broad spectrum of society, the organisation has signatories and members from other mainstream political parties, including ] leader ] (whose family rose to prominent through high finance deals with the ]), as well as far-left trade union leaders, modernist "artists", bands and other organisations.<ref name=UAF2 />


==History== ==History==
Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was formed in the United Kingdom in late 2003 in response to electoral successes by the ] (BNP).<ref name=SW1 /> It began as a coalition that included the ], the ], the ] (TUC) and leading British unions such as the ] (T&G) (now ]) and ]. According to '']'' magazine, UAF was set up by the ] and the National Assembly Against Racism.<ref name=RedPepper1 /> In 2005, '']'' a magazine founded by ], a Jewish former member of the ], disaffiliated from UAF purportedly after an argument over tactics to defeat the BNP.<ref name=SL1 /><ref name=SL2 /> Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was formed in the United Kingdom in late 2003 in response to electoral successes by the ] (BNP).<ref name=SW1 /> It began as a coalition that included the ], the ], the ] (TUC) and leading British unions such as the ] (T&G) (now ]) and ]. According to '']'' magazine, UAF was set up by the ] and the National Assembly Against Racism.<ref name=RedPepper1 /> In 2005, the anti-fascist magazine '']'' disaffiliated from UAF after an argument over tactics to defeat the BNP.<ref name=SL1 /><ref name=SL2 />


At UAF's 2007 national conference, speakers ranged from cabinet minister ] (former terrorist, who threw glass onto a rugby pitch as a protest against white people in South Africa) a to Edie Friedman, a Chicago-born immigrant of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality (a far-left radical in the 1960s American campus') and Dr. ] of the ] (a naked ethnic nepotist), as well as figures from the major trade unions in the United Kingdom, which are currently occupied by Trotskyite and Leninist extremists.<ref name=UAF4 /> At UAF's 2009 national conference, Bari was again a guest speaker.<ref></ref> At UAF's 2007 national conference, speakers ranged from cabinet minister ] to Edie Friedman of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality and Dr. ] of the ] (MCB), as well as figures from the major UK trade unions.<ref name=UAF4 /> At UAF's 2009 national conference, Bari was again a guest speaker.<ref></ref>


===Protests against the British National Party=== ===Protests against the British National Party===
The UAF main stated reason for its existence is to deny the British National Party any chance of "gaining an electoral foothold"<ref name=UAF1 /> stating that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions." The UAF main stated reason for its existence is to deny the British National Party any chance of "gaining an electoral foothold"<ref name=UAF1 /> stating that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions."


In November 2007, UAF organised a rally of over 1,000 people when BNP leader ] and WWII historian ] spoke at the ].<ref name=Guard1 /> In November 2007, UAF organised a rally of over 1,000 people when BNP leader ] and holocaust denier ] spoke at the ].<ref name=Guard1 />


On 9 June 2009, UAF demonstrated against a BNP press conference given by Griffin and ] outside the Houses of Parliament following their election as MEPs. Demonstrators marched towards the group with placards, chanting anti-white slogans, and threw eggs at Griffin, forcing the abandonment of the press conference. Members of the press were also hit.<ref name="bbc-griffin-eggs" /> The protesters also kicked Griffin's car and beat it with placards as he was led away from the scene.<ref name="bbc-griffin-eggs" /> Two members of the public were hospitalized as a result of the demonstration.<ref name=Sky1 /> Griffin claimed that the attack was carried out with the backing of the Labour Party.<ref name=Telegraph1 /><ref name=BBC1 /> On 9 June 2009, UAF demonstrated against a BNP press conference given by Griffin and ] outside the Houses of Parliament following their election as MEPs. Demonstrators marched towards the group with placards, chanting anti-Nazi slogans, and threw eggs at Griffin, forcing the abandonment of the press conference. Members of the press were also hit.<ref name="bbc-griffin-eggs" /> The protesters also kicked Griffin's car and beat it with placards as he was led away from the scene.<ref name="bbc-griffin-eggs" /> Two members of the public were hospitalized as a result of the demonstration.<ref name=Sky1 /> Griffin claimed that the attack was carried out with the backing of the Labour Party.<ref name=Telegraph1 /><ref name=BBC1 />


The following day, UAF demonstrated at the BNP's next attempt to hold a press conference at a pub in Miles Platting, North Manchester.<ref name = Times01 /> They chanted anti-white slogans and tried to drown out Griffin by playing ] songs at high volume.<ref name = Times01/> One protester was arrested after spitting in the direction of a car belonging to a BNP member.<ref name = Times01/> The following day, UAF demonstrated at the BNP's next attempt to hold a press conference at a pub in Miles Platting, North Manchester.<ref name = Times01 /> They chanted anti-fascist slogans and tried to drown out Griffin by playing ] songs at high volume.<ref name = Times01/> One protester was arrested after spitting in the direction of a car belonging to a BNP member.<ref name = Times01/>


In January 2010, when the Pendle branch of the UAF removed a wreath from the War Memorial in ] that was laid down by a ] member,<ref name="NelsonBNP" >{{ cite web | title= Police probe as anti-fascism group removes BNP wreath from Nelson memorial In January 2010, when the Pendle branch of the UAF removed a wreath from the War Memorial in ] that was laid down by a ] member,<ref name="NelsonBNP" >{{ cite web | title= Police probe as anti-fascism group removes BNP wreath from Nelson memorial
Line 54: Line 53:
| title= Thousands face off in rally | title= Thousands face off in rally
| publisher= The Bolton News | publisher= The Bolton News
| date=20 March 2010 }}</ref><ref></ref> At least three EDL supporters were also arrested, and two UAF members were taken to hospital with a minor head and a minor ear injury.<ref name="BBCBolton" /><ref name="BoltonNews"/> After Bennett was charged and released, he accused the police of being hostile to anti-white activists and called for an inquiry into the police's actions that day.<ref></ref> The police, while criticising the EDL for "vitriolic name-calling" blamed people predominantly associated with UAF for provoking violence and said that they "acted with, at times, extreme violence".<ref></ref> | date=20 March 2010 }}</ref><ref></ref> At least three EDL supporters were also arrested, and two UAF members were taken to hospital with a minor head and a minor ear injury.<ref name="BBCBolton" /><ref name="BoltonNews"/> After Bennett was charged and released, he accused the police of being hostile to anti-racists and called for an inquiry into the police's actions that day.<ref></ref> The police, while criticising the EDL for "vitriolic name-calling" blamed people predominantly associated with UAF for provoking violence and said that they "acted with, at times, extreme violence".<ref></ref>


==References== ==References==
Line 125: Line 124:
{{-}} {{-}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]


Revision as of 09:34, 22 May 2010

Unite Against Fascism
Formation2003
TypeAntifascist interest group
HeadquartersLondon
ChairmanKen Livingstone
Key peopleWeyman Bennett
(Joint Secretary)
Sabby Dhalu
(Joint Secretary)
Billy Hayes
(Treasurer)
Lee Jasper
Websitehttp://www.uaf.org.uk www.uaf.org.uk
UAF members outside the BBC Television Centre protesting the appearance of BNP leader Nick Griffin on Question Time.

Unite Against Fascism is an anti-fascist organisation in Britain. It describes itself as a national campaign with the aim of alerting British society to the threat of the far right — in particular the British National Party (BNP) — gaining a foothold at local, national and European elections, arguing that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions." Its chair is the former Labour Party mayor of London Ken Livingstone and its joint secretaries are Weyman Bennett of the Socialist Workers Party and the Anti-Nazi League, and Sabby Dhalu, formerly of the National Assembly Against Racism (NAAR).

Stating that it seeks to unite a broad spectrum of society, the organisation has signatories and members from other mainstream political parties, including Conservative leader David Cameron, as well as trade union leaders, prominent members of the arts, bands and other organisations.

History

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was formed in the United Kingdom in late 2003 in response to electoral successes by the British National Party (BNP). It began as a coalition that included the Anti-Nazi League, the National Assembly Against Racism, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and leading British unions such as the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) (now Unite) and UNISON. According to Red Pepper magazine, UAF was set up by the Socialist Workers Party and the National Assembly Against Racism. In 2005, the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight disaffiliated from UAF after an argument over tactics to defeat the BNP.

At UAF's 2007 national conference, speakers ranged from cabinet minister Peter Hain to Edie Friedman of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality and Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), as well as figures from the major UK trade unions. At UAF's 2009 national conference, Bari was again a guest speaker.

Protests against the British National Party

The UAF main stated reason for its existence is to deny the British National Party any chance of "gaining an electoral foothold" stating that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions."

In November 2007, UAF organised a rally of over 1,000 people when BNP leader Nick Griffin and holocaust denier David Irving spoke at the Oxford Union.

On 9 June 2009, UAF demonstrated against a BNP press conference given by Griffin and Andrew Brons outside the Houses of Parliament following their election as MEPs. Demonstrators marched towards the group with placards, chanting anti-Nazi slogans, and threw eggs at Griffin, forcing the abandonment of the press conference. Members of the press were also hit. The protesters also kicked Griffin's car and beat it with placards as he was led away from the scene. Two members of the public were hospitalized as a result of the demonstration. Griffin claimed that the attack was carried out with the backing of the Labour Party.

The following day, UAF demonstrated at the BNP's next attempt to hold a press conference at a pub in Miles Platting, North Manchester. They chanted anti-fascist slogans and tried to drown out Griffin by playing Bob Marley songs at high volume. One protester was arrested after spitting in the direction of a car belonging to a BNP member.

In January 2010, when the Pendle branch of the UAF removed a wreath from the War Memorial in Nelson that was laid down by a British National Party member, Richard MacSween of the Pendle UAF said "The BNP have left a wreath and we have removed it because we don't approve of fascism.". In response, Councillor George Adam, from the Nelson and District branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "I'm annoyed - they have no right to remove that wreath. The BNP is a legitimate political party and they have a right to lay down a wreath just as any other members of the public do." BNP Councillor Brian Parker added: "It's disgusting, and it's theft."

Arrests

UAF demonstration in Leeds, 31st October 2009.

On 8 August 2009, UAF supporters and English Defence League supporters clashed at a protest planned by EDL in Birmingham, resulting in 35 arrests. On 19 August 2009, police arrested 19 protesters during a demonstration by UAF against the BNP's Red, White and Blue festival in Codnor, Derbyshire. Four people were charged; three with public order offences and one with unlawfully obstructing the highway. On 10 October 2009, 1,400 UAF supporters gathered to oppose an EDL-organised demonstration in Manchester. Forty-eight people were arrested during the protests. On 22 October 2009, a UAF demonstration against Nick Griffin's appearance on the BBC's Question Time programme resulted in injuries to three police officers.

On 31 October 2009, about 1,500 UAF supporters met in Leeds city centre to stage a demonstration in opposition to a protest organised by the EDL, which was attended by up to 900 of their supporters. Eight people were arrested for public order offences after minor scuffles. West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council issued a joint statement in which they thanked the public and participants of both demontrations for their patience and consideration.

On Saturday, 20 March 2010 demonstrations from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and the English Defence League (EDL) in Bolton led to violent confrontations and the arrest of at least 55 UAF supporters, including the UAF protest organiser Weyman Bennett, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder. At least three EDL supporters were also arrested, and two UAF members were taken to hospital with a minor head and a minor ear injury. After Bennett was charged and released, he accused the police of being hostile to anti-racists and called for an inquiry into the police's actions that day. The police, while criticising the EDL for "vitriolic name-calling" blamed people predominantly associated with UAF for provoking violence and said that they "acted with, at times, extreme violence".

References

  1. ^ UAF website, "What is the UAF?"
  2. UAF website,"Ken Livingstone speaks out against “the BBC’s gift to the BNP”" 29 Oct 2009
  3. UAF website,"UAF supporters include:"
  4. "Unite Against Fascism". Socialist Worker. 2003-12-06. Archived from the original on 2003-12-28. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  5. "Unite Against Fascism". Red Pepper (magazine). Retrieved 2009-09-12. {{cite web}}: Text "Red Pepper" ignored (help)
  6. Editorial in Searchlight, July 2005
  7. Letter of resignation to UAF in Searchlight, July 2005
  8. UAF website, "Hundreds gathered to launch campaign against the fascist BNP's May election offensive" 23 Feb 2007
  9. Details announced for UAF 2009 National Conference
  10. Matthew Taylor, "Irving and Griffin spark fury at Oxford Union debate", The Guardian, 27 Nov 2007
  11. ^ "Egg attack on BNP leader Griffin". bbc.co.uk. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  12. "Two People In Hospital After BNP Protest". BSkyB. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  13. "BNP leader Nick Griffin pelted with eggs by protesters". The Daily Telegraph. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
  14. "Why we threw eggs at the BNP". BBC. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
  15. ^ "BNP's Nick Griffin finally gets to make a speech - Times Online". timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  16. ^ "Police probe as anti-fascism group removes BNP wreath from Nelson memorial". Pendle Today. 29 January 2010.
  17. "Luton bans marches amid fears of protests". Telegraph. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  18. Robert Booth and Alan Travis (9 August 2009). "'Patriot' league plots more clashes with anti-fascist activists". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  19. "BNP thugs cower behind police lines|22Aug09". Socialist Worker. 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  20. "Four charged as far-right festival brings chaos to Derbyshire village | Politics". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  21. "Three charged over racial taunt at BNP rally | UK | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  22. "4 charged after demo against UK far-right festival". Taiwan News Online. Associated Press. 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  23. Justin Penrose (2009-08-16). "Protest Clash At Bnp Festival". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  24. "Dozens arrested during protests". BBC News Online. London. 10 October 2009.
  25. "48 arrests in rival race protests". Press Association. 10 October 2009.
  26. "Anti-fascist protesters charge BBC before Nick Griffin booed during Question Time - Times Online". timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  27. "Protest policing hailed a success". BBC. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  28. West Yorkshire Police (2009-10-31). "Leeds Demonstrations - Saturday, October 31, 2009". WYP. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  29. ^ "Police battle to control EDL and UAF protest in Bolton". BBC. 20 March 2010.
  30. ^ "Thousands face off in rally". The Bolton News. 20 March 2010.
  31. 55 arrests at protests, The Bolton News
  32. Anti-fascist charged after Bolton protests
  33. Police blame anti-fascists for violence, The Independent

External links

Categories: