Plymouth Unite Launch
Mark Scantlebury | 04.05.2004 15:36 | Anti-racism
The May Bank Holiday saw the official launch of Plymouth's Unite Against Fascism branch.
Bands, DJ's and speakers played to about 150 people, and stalls did a brisk trade in leaflets, stickers, bdges and T-shirts.
Bands, DJ's and speakers played to about 150 people, and stalls did a brisk trade in leaflets, stickers, bdges and T-shirts.
Around 150-200 people attended the launch of Plymouth Unite Against Fascism on the May Bank Holiday. The free outdoor festival was held in West Hoe Park, Plymouth, with the co-operation of various trade unions, Plymouth City Council, the RESPECT Coalition and other groups.
DJ's, live bands and speakers entertained the crowd, while various stalls were doing a brisk trade in leaflets, badges, stickers, T-shirts and of course, plenty of food and booze.
A particular highlight came when two BNP members, having been thrown off their paper selling pitch by anti-fascists the previous day, and their papers having been destroyed, hid nearby until spotted and openly pointed out by one of the speakers. Lots of jeers, shouts of "Scum!" and plenty of two-fingered salutes greeted their arrival, and they skulked off after pathetically waving a St. George's flag at the large crowd below.
Events continued until about 7pm that night, and plenty of money was raised and support offered for Plymouth UAF. As someone who manned the UAF stall for part of the event, I can safely say it was a resounding success all round.
DJ's, live bands and speakers entertained the crowd, while various stalls were doing a brisk trade in leaflets, badges, stickers, T-shirts and of course, plenty of food and booze.
A particular highlight came when two BNP members, having been thrown off their paper selling pitch by anti-fascists the previous day, and their papers having been destroyed, hid nearby until spotted and openly pointed out by one of the speakers. Lots of jeers, shouts of "Scum!" and plenty of two-fingered salutes greeted their arrival, and they skulked off after pathetically waving a St. George's flag at the large crowd below.
Events continued until about 7pm that night, and plenty of money was raised and support offered for Plymouth UAF. As someone who manned the UAF stall for part of the event, I can safely say it was a resounding success all round.
Mark Scantlebury
Comments
Hide the following 5 comments
WNP not BNP!
04.05.2004 18:10
Franklin
Strange confusion
04.05.2004 20:58
I was also informed that they were the same people who were kicked off their paper-selling pitch the previous day.
We at UAF appreciate the difference between BNP and WNP, and acknowledge that both groups are operating in Plymouth but the fact remains that the Fascists could only muster two people to sell papers and picket the event, albeit from a nice safe distance. Whether or not they were BNP or WNP, it shows that their support is limited and that they seem easily scared away by laege numbers of the opposition. This also does not detract from the success of the day's events.
Mark Scantlebury
You are misinformed
05.05.2004 08:58
I'm interested in the way in which UAF are measuring 'success'. No doubt, as we are, you are as switched on as to know the names and addreses of the WNP in Plymouth, what cars they drive, which pubs they drink in and when, where they work etc.
Some of us do more than turn up and make a bit of noise once every year - to suggest that 150 people turning up for a free day in the park in a city with a population of nearly 300000 represents some kind of success in dealing with the local rise of the BNP, the NF, the WNP and C18 - is a fucking insult to those working at the frontline.
UAF? don't make me laugh!
Franklin
missed party, missed opportunities by the sounds
05.05.2004 16:15
Had a WNP flyposter outside me flat a few weeks ago. Never saw the wan... nasty little fellas though. Shame really, haven't had much exercise these last few months.
So was it just a few naughty words that these two got? Or didn't they deserve a good lacing, for whatever reason?
Franklin :-0 (mock surprise in case you didn't catch on) the way success is measured is the same way all lefty "parties" do so, by paper sales and people signing up ;-)
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fuglycow
identity - pride - solidarity - class war
fuglycow
wnp last sunday
07.05.2004 20:15
ed