So, of course, we wanted to welcome them with a message to fuck right off. But only two days notice... Leaflets and emails went round activists and unions and the town was flyposted - well, a bit. "Anti-BNP demo, 7.30pm, outside the Town Hall". Bollocks, its the same time as the Capdown gig, oh well, sure they'd understand.

We rang the press, Griffin was meant to be coming in by train at midday on Wednesday. Ok. Were they gonna report on it? No? Good. Anti-fascists are going to hold a demo, will they come and report on that? Yeh? Great! So, a few anti-fascists hung out at the train station for three hours, water balloons in hand, but he gave us the slip. Oh well, we hear he didnt get away so easily in Horsam. Hope the fucker likes his pies - he sure looks like it!

So, anyway, basically it was great to get to the Townhall and be greeted by a crowd of about 30 people - a big turnout for Reading! Masks were on and a banner was unfurled:

"BNP IS NO SOLUTION! PEOPLE UNITE, FOR DIRECT ACTION!"

We reckon it'll send the right message to any local Hitler wannabe's when it hits the Reading papers next week. After a few photos, the statue of Queen Victoria was left holding a placard* - "Bog off, Nazi Pillocks!" - while the rest of us went for a little march through the town centre giving out a load of Fashwatch and Antifa flyers. Everything left was put on Capdown's merch stall, and apparently was all taken very quickly by the punx.

Following this demo, there are plans afoot for an 'anti-fascist front' coalition to form, aiming to scupper the plans of the BNP and their mates, so - whilst we hope there's no need - we are sure there's more anti-fascist mobilisation on the horizon, likely face-to-face...

But, while capitalism exists, so will the fash, so its no alternative to solving our problems collectively ourselves through direct-action and anti-capitalism.
Big thanks to all who turned out for the demo, see ya soon.

* Oh, and Queen Vicky is still holding her placard three days later! Who'd have thought she'd ever join Antifa?!