Anti-BNP campaign round up

Activists stop Nazi meeting

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) supporters in the small Cheshire town of Winsford moved quickly when the BNP tried to book a meeting venue—under a false name—at Winsford United football club last week.

UAF activists phoned the club and many supporters sent protest emails to the club secretary, who responded that there is “no question” of the BNP being allowed to meet at Winsford United and that the club has “defended racial equality vigorously… since the early 1980s”.

About 20 UAF supporters marked the successful disruption of the Nazis’ plans by distributing hundreds of anti-BNP flyers to houses and to shoppers in the town.

Local supporters are now planning a Love Music Hate Racism event in the town.

Greater Manchester UAF

Rotherham fights the fascists

Anti-fascists in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, have been out campaigning against the threat of the BNP. Around 30 UAF activists—including trade unionists, Labour Party members and other campaigners—took part in a recent stall in the town.

As well as further stalls and leafleting, activists are planning a film showing and music night based around the 30th anniversary of the Specials.

Rotherham is in one of the BNP’s target seats for the European elections—Yorkshire & the Humber.

A vibrant local campaign grew out of the shock of the BNP winning two council seats in the town last year. One of those two councillors has recently been disowned by the BNP—a sign of some of the tensions that exist in the Nazi organisation.

London to unite against the BNP

Unite against Fascism has called a meeting in central London to rally support for the campaign against the BNP.

The NUT teachers’ union is sponsoring the meeting, which will also be dedicated to remembering Blair Peach, an NUT member killed during an anti-Nazi demonstration 30 years ago this month (see page 13).

Speakers include Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the NUT, Jerry Bartlett of the NASUWT teachers’ union and Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of UAF.

London united against the fascist BNP, 7pm, Wednesday 29 April, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R