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Anti fascist activities

At the recent local elections, in excess of 61,000 votes were cast for the BNP in the Midlands alone. The BNP made 10 gains nationally, seven of these were in the Midlands, three in Stoke on Trent, two in Amber Valley and two in Nuneaton & Bedworth.

As a result, the Midlands regional committee will be prioritising anti-fascist activties in the region. There will be anti-fascist courses, “Countering the Far Right” held in Birmingham 7 and 8 October and Stoke on Trent (details to be announced). 

Contact Jean Cooper, email: jeanc@pcs.org.uk for further information.

Stoke on Trent

After gaining two more councillors in May's elections Stoke on Trent currently has a total of nine BNP councillors. It is rumoured that the BNP will be standing candidates for the mayoral election in 2009 and the prediction is that they could win based on election results this time.  They will also be standing candidates in the European elections.  

We believe the BNP are attempting to organise a rally in Stoke on 20 September. We are asking individuals and organisations to circulate the attached petition and return to LMHR.

 

  Stoke ant-fascist petition  Stoke Unity Statement (266 kb)

 

Amber Valley

 
The BNP will be holding their national Red White & Blue Festival on 15-17 August in Codnor Amber Valley. However, they suffered a major setback when Amber Valley borough council received objections from the police to the granting of a licence. The BNP will not now be able to sell alcohol or have live/recorded music but it is expected that the event will nevertheless go ahead. 

Unite Against Fascism is calling on every organisation and individual opposed the BNP's attempt to hold an event aimed at stirring up race hate, to protest near the rally site in Codnor, Derbyshire from 11am on Saturday 16 August.
 
Transport to this event is as follows:
 
Dudley and Wolverhampton
  • pick up 9.15 am.  Contact 07945 834125
Wolverhampton
  • pick up at 9.45 am.  Contact 07945 834125

Derby

  • pick up 10.00 am, Council House, Corporation Road. Contact Sue 01332 382321
Leicester
  • pick up 9.00 am, Secular Hall, Humberstone Gate. Contact Mike 07960 229186
Nottingham
  • pick up 9.00 am, The Salutation, Maid Marion Way. Contact Richard 07940 952825
Chesterfield
  • pick up 9.30 am, Town Hall, Rose Hill, then pick up 9.45 Somerfield, Claycroft. Contact June 07813 494682
Birmingham
  • pick up 9.30, Carrs Lane, city centre. Contact 07804 396176
Coventry
  • pick up 9.00 am (also pick up at Leicester St, bedworth and Nuneaton Bus Station). Contact Coventry TUC 07952 770412
For further information contact the national UAF office on 020 7833 4916 or on unite@ucu.org.uk .
 

This protest is supported by the Midlands TUC who have passed the following motion:

"This Midlands TUC regional council meeting notes:

  • The election of BNP member Richard Barnbrook to the Greater London Assembly;
  • That the BNP had a net increase of 10 councillors elected at the May 2008 local elections;
  • That the BNP has a worrying number of councillors in Stoke on Trent and also now has a toe-hold of seats in the East Midlands, including in Amber Valley;
  • The BNP' s use of community-based activism, local organisation and the way they relate their racist politics to issues like the crisis in housing, the NHS and education.
This Midlands TUC regional council meeting believes:
  • That the BNP is a fascist organisation with historical and contemporary links to open nazis, Combat 18, American white supremacists, anti-semites and holocaust deniers
  • That local BNP organisation goes hand-in-hand with a rise in racially motivated attacks and assaults
  • The BNP poses a physical threat to anti-fascists, trade unionists and campaigners
  • That campaigns against the BNP should address both the physical threat posed and the political terrain contested by the BNP.
This Midlands TUC regional council meeting further notes:
  • That the BNP's annual "Red, White and Blue Festival" is due to take place from 15 to 17 August in the village of Codnor, Derbyshire within the Midlands region
  • The call made by a both the Derby & Notts, Mansfield & Nottingham trades councils, Derby Unite Against Fascism, Notts Stop the BNP and Unite Against Fascism nationally (in conjunction with local & regional trade union organizations) to mobilise against the 'festival'; with a demonstration on August 16th 2008.
This Midlands TUC regional council meeting resolves to:
  • Support the demonstration on 16 August in Derbyshire and
  • Urge trade union affiliates to support it as well by publicising it to their own branches and for trades councils to publicise it to affiliated trade unions and encourage the organisation of transport to support the demonstration
  • Encourage donations of financial support to the organisers of the demonstration.

Key dates

 
Saturday 12 July                    
  • Top LMHR bands & banners/stalls at Stoke City FC carnival to unevil Gordon Banks statue with guests Pele and Desmond Tutu.
 Friday 18 July
  • Launch of LMHR/NUT schools initiative , Filton High, South Gloucestershire
Saturday 26 July        
  • Stoke Unites Against BNP rally/family day/workshops organised by LMHR, Norscarf & UAF
 Saturday 9 August                
  • Stoke Gay Pride in conjunction with LMHR

 Sunday 10 August

  • Six Towns One City Carnoval, Hanley Park "United Strength is Stronger" is the theme
Saturday 16 August  
Saturday 23 August  
  • Stoke LMHR Carnival – Hanley Forest Park organised by Unity Stoke and North Staffs REC
Sunday 29 August    
  • Wellingborough Mela & Community Festival supported by LMHR

Saturday 4 October

  • LMHR/Norscarf public meeting, Stoke.  Guest speaker Mark Serwotka

Tuesday 7 October/ Wednesday 8 October

  • Countering the Far Right training course, Birmingham

How to get involved

 
  • Attend anti-fascist training
  • Join or forge local anti-fascist groups
  • Invite LMHR to branch meetings/stalls at local carnivals
  • Organise LMHR specific event
  • Submit articles for BME and Midlands regional newsletters
  • Talk to other members, family and friends
  • Check the Midlands website for up to date information

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