Anti Fascist Demo Blackpool

I have just reurned from the anti fascist demonstration in Blackpool, called because the bnp were holding what they claimed was a "national conference". The venue of their "conference" the Kimberley Hotel - Blackpool was kept a closely guarded secret. A demonstration called by local Trades Councils, Student Unions, and UAF was held in the Town Centre. There was a lively gathering, speakers, and leafletting. It was heartening to see the rednblack flags flying amongst the usual UAF placards.

The venue of the fascist "conference" was inevitably leaked and we set off to confront the bnp. A small group of people arrived before the main body of the march. At that point the venue was left reasonably easy to get to, with a very small police presence being some distance away. The small group of anti fascist exchanged unpleasantaries with the bnp security scum guarding their pathetic gathering at the doorway of the hotel. Eventually the fascists called the police and asked them to move us away. The police quoted Public Order Section 60, and advised anti fascists to remove head scarves, but with little success. (Though two female anti fascists were picked on by the police, pushed around, searched, and photographed.)

After a short time around 250 people from the Town Centre demo arrived outside the Kimberley Hotel and the fascists inside were forced to lock themselves in, and scuttle away from the windows, and doorways. The demo was noisy with the usual chants aimed at the fascist scum inside. The anti fascists outnumbered the bnp "delegates" by quite a margin. Only about 50 delegates managed to join Nick Griffin, and Blackpool bnp organiser Roy Greenwood, at this poor excuse for a national conference! The only shame is that the whole event wasn't shut down by militant anti fascism.

We should now take the anti fascist struggle back into our own communities. We can't afford simply to react to them standing in a local election in Decemeber. We need to build community resistance to the politics of the bnp here, and now. We also need to make sure the promised NUS position of "No Platform" is applied to bnp member and Lancaster University employee, Chris Hill. The struggle against fascism doesn't begin or end by voting labour at elections. After all new labour politicians must take a big slice of the blame for creating a climate of islamophobia and anti immigration prejudice which has allowed the bnp to grow. The fight against fascism will be won in our communities, workplaces, and on the streets.