Police in Crawley defend two fascists from hundreds of anti-racists
This is a developing story and will be updated
Over 500 anti-racists in Crawley, West Sussex, confronted just a handful of far right supporters who gathered near a hotel used to house asylum seekers on Friday.
The fascists were wholly reliant on the cops to be able to stay anywhere near the area. Two fascists ran away immediately.
Anti-racist protester Christian reports, “Local Muslims were part of the turnout and there was solidarity singing to refugees inside, who were waving back at us. Another victory won through mass mobilisation!”
In Cardiff, Phil reports, “At very short notice 300 anti-fascists countered the proposed fascist riot assembly. About half a dozen possible fascists showed up, They quietly stood around and did not make themselves known. They were all gone after half an hour.
“Another victory for South Wales anti-racists.”
Protest organiser Hussein Said said, “The threat of fascism anywhere is a threat that must be taken very seriously. We felt we must be loud and clearly visible here today to say we won’t stand for this.
“If hate wasn’t made normal against Muslims, people would not have jumped recently on such damaging disinformation about Muslims.
“People act as if this racist hate has come out of nowhere. It hasn’t. It’s come from decades of politicians scapegoating immigrants. It’s been caused by many in the tabloid media saying we’re overrun. These are complete lies and we must address them.”
Anti-racists in Paisley repulse the fascists
In Paisley, near Glasgow, reports Rory, “Almost 500 people turned out to oppose a far right attempt to intimidate asylum seekers staying at Watermill Hotel.
“No more than a dozen supporters of the far right turned up, and had to skulk in the background far from the hotel. EIS, UCU, PCS, Unite and Unison union members mobilised to join Paisley Trades Council, Green Party, socialist and Labour members, plus many other anti-fascists outside the hotel.
“People travelled from across Renfrewshire and even North Ayshire and Glasgow to oppose the far right protest.
“Refugees inside the hotel showed their solidarity at the hotel windows, sticking signs up saying, ‘Respect’ and ‘Thank you’ to protesters and expressing ‘We are safe with you’.”
And in Bathgate, West Lothian, around 150 anti-fascist protesters scared off a pathetic show of five Nazis—who ran away.
Fascists attacked Stand Up to Racism co-convenor Weyman Bennett and anti-fascist activist Ulrike Schmidt, at 5am on Friday.
Weyman told Socialist Worker, “They came to the house. They couldn’t get in but smashed up cars. They had weapons and it was deeply unpleasant.
“This is another aspect of fascist violence—targeting those who organise against them.
“But we should not be intimidated, instead we should step up our resistance.
“The fascists are turning to these individual terror assaults because they took such a major setback on Wednesday. Tens of thousands came onto the streets against them in one of the most important anti-racist responses for years.
“They couldn’t win on Wednesday so they fall back on individual violence.”
Ulrike, an activist with SUTR and Amnesty International, was a key organiser of Walthamstow’s mass anti-racism rally on Wednesday.
She said she woke to the sounds of someone trying to break in.
Passers-by on their way to a nearby mosque for morning prayers challenged the would-be intruder, who fled.
Ulrike said the police showed no interest in the attack, which can only encourage further assaults.
Schmidt had on Thursday received threats on social media.
One Twitter user, under the pseudonym Satanic Cult, said, “She’ll be dealt with just now she’s got no protection we’ve her address.”
Ulrike said, “The far right feel humiliated because they wanted to smash up the immigration office in Walthamstow. Now they are trying to get some satisfaction.”
“We know there are elements among the far right who are hardcore Nazis and they are happy to kill,” she added.
Weyman said, “Our best defence is a strong anti-fascist movement. Let’s be numerous on the streets on Saturday, and keep pushing back the Nazi scum.”
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