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Report of anti-BNP march in Leeds

Sunburnt | 13.06.2009 22:42 | Anti-racism | Migration

Somewhere between 300 and 500 gathered by Leeds Art Gallery today (Saturday) to oppose the BNP after their electoral success in Yorkshire and the Humber. Despite the police refusing permission, a march took place in which Anti-Fascists briefly reclaimed the streets of Leeds.

As Unite Against Fascism events go, this wasn't the usual round of dire self-congratulatory speeches that come from trying to build an alliance with the Tories. Disability and LGBT rights activists joined the UAF 'organisers' and Trades Council reps, and a message was read from a local children's author. One speaker began "standing here is like looking at Redwatch", another ran a line of jokes about Monday's "eggsellent" intervention, to which another responded with an out-and-out renunciation of violence. More than one person used the phrase "No Passaran" without explaining the context, alienating fresh enthusiastic campaigners.

The final speaker was the indomitable Weyman Bennet, self-proclaimed hero of UK anti-fascism. His was the first speech to even vaguely mention a march, as he announced that the rally was over and it was time to leave, but best to do it in unity, leaving as a group along the Headrow. With certain people clearly not paying attention, unsuspecting protesters were swept along with those who clearly had been annoyed at previous references to the event as a rally.

Out of the square everyone poured, with the police apparently determined to keep people on the pavement. A few meters along, and the march swarmed into the junction and onwards along the road towards the shopping streets and the bus station. Chants were many and various, with the Revo kids apparently carrying sheets with the words on. Might have been nice to see one, as a few of the chants were so long most people couldn't keep up. And so the march moved forwards at some pace, with the police running to keep up.

At the junction with Briggate, the front of the march took a distinct swing towards the shopping street. A confrontation ensued in which one anarchist-flag waving protester was dragged off to one side and shouted at by an officer holding his hoody by the throat. At least one shopper shouted that the march was a disgrace, but it appears little notice was taken by the marchers, perhaps a good thing for said individual who seemed to think her taxes were being unnecessarily drained by the events (in which case she should have seen the number of vans accompanying the Orange freaks later).

Some less-than-empowering stewarding from UAF ensured the march kept moving on towards the roundabout that marks the end of Headrow, whereupon the police suddenly blocked the march from proceeding. In the confusion which followed, the march headed back the way it had come, then a stand off, and then another reverse, with a police van appearing just in time to stop the traffic on the roundabout.

The protest took the third exit and moved towards the BBC, in full view of the passengers of every bus around the bus station. Chants directed at the BBC's apparent free airtime for the BNP, specifically on the Today program. A few quick megaphone speeches, some total failure to realise the back entrance was open by most of the marchers, and everyone was heading for pubs. Police appeared to follow in the first instance, but clearly got rather bored. For an event which might as easily have been entirely preaching to the choir, the determination to march was admirable, setting a clear trend for future activity.

Sunburnt

Comments

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2 women arrested

14.06.2009 10:33

according to bbc web 2 women who were not part of the demo were arrested for incitement to racial hatred.

no body innit

Move on you lot!

14.06.2009 10:42

It's very considerate of Bennet and the UAF leadership to collaborate with the cops in clearing the area to let Loyalists hold their splendid march in the same place a little while later.

Edelweiss Pirate

Cowardice

14.06.2009 11:16

The UAF must have known that there was going to be a gathering of sectarian bigots in the very same spot as the anti bnp demo.......Why not tell the protesters and make a stand ,we were already occupying the space...Cowards the lot of them [Uaf leadership]

concerned of gipton

If we are going to beat the BNP we are going to have to do a lot better than thi

14.06.2009 11:24

The two women arrested were local anti-racists. They were arrested during the rally. As they were being nicked, the speaker on the platform was busy telling people to take no notice and concentate on the speaker!

"The final speaker was the indomitable Weyman Bennet, self-proclaimed hero of UK anti-fascism."

Bennet is a total fucking idiot. When he spoke at Leeds Civic Hall he couldn't even get Nick Griffin's name right, and kept referring to a 'Roger Griffiths'!

This was the same old story from the UAF/SWP, they conspired with the cops to allow Orange Loyalists to march by clearing the square for them. They also appeared to be taking a lot of money in their collection buckets, so it was a good day for the SWP.

If we are going to beat the BNP we are going to have to do a lot better than this.

Leeds Antifascist

arrestees

14.06.2009 11:25

arrestees where anti-BNP activists, rather ironically arrested for a charge of racial hatred

heard through the grapevine

its time

14.06.2009 12:51

we all got together and rid the streets of uaf/swp and all their assorted bullshit.

ballz

Agree Ballz

14.06.2009 15:12

The SWP have been a drag-chain round the neck of anti-fascists for decades - liars, manipulators, and state collaborators - They are the best friend the fascists ever had.

Anti

Leeds demo

14.06.2009 21:34

Most of your contributers are idiots who have played no role in the attempt to stop the BNP getting elected in the Euro elections.If you don't understand that the Greens or Labour or frankly anyone other than fascists getting elected is preferable to the BNP you have not learned the lessons of history and you are of no use to the anti fascist movement. You belong to a period when the BNP were a small group with no mass support and when individual attacks on them gave you lot something to do. The ultra left; workers power, workers liberty etc have stood on the side lines and criticised the hard work of Leeds UAF and done nothing themselves other than be parasitical at our events. The anarchists of antifa are incapable of mobilising anyone other than the miniscule numbers of people who support their maximalist demands that anti fascists take a position on everything . Luckily we have got the UAF which starts from the point that defeating the fascists comes first and theatrical gestures which do not help this will be opposed. We will physically and electorally oppose the BNP, anarchists and ultra left grow up and stop putting your own petty interests first

leeds mick

Hidden Comment

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IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

UAF Idiots

14.06.2009 21:39

With an illiterate idiot like Bennet talking some illegible swahili language and the arrest of two of their own people it was another great day for UAF. These fools just help the BNP.

Smart John

UAF

14.06.2009 21:43

UAF merely placed all the activists in danger on Saturday as they were followed and photographed in small pockets around Leeds city centre.

Stalker

UAF Wankers

14.06.2009 23:05

What have the UAF ever done in terms of 'stopping' the BNP? Absolutely nothing, other than wave placards and lead young antiracists into situations where they are under state control and completely ineffectual. All they are interested in is selling copies of Socialist Worker, collecting money, and trying to recruit people into the ranks of the SWP.

There is only one area in the country where the BNP do not openly advertise meetings - West Yorkshire - That is because of militant opposition from Antifa, it has nothing to do with the wankers of the UAF hiding behind the cops shouting "Narzi!"

Antifascist

Leeds Mick

14.06.2009 23:21

"We will physically and electorally oppose the BNP"

Well that's bullshit isn't it Mick? The UAF have had numerous opportunities to confront the BNP physically, but they've shat out at every turn, they are quite simply an embarrassment. And how have they opposed them electorally? I'm not aware of the UAF ever standing any candidates. The best you've been able to come up with is 'Respect' (what a joke) or voting for the quasi fascist New Labour Party. No wonder people vote BNP with you idiots as the public face of anti-fascism. The UAF are pathetic.

Leeds John

a little advice

14.06.2009 23:29

try being for somthing dearies rather than against it - it'll assist you in having a better outlook in life

Russell's mother

Your mum...

15.06.2009 01:03

I'm FOR the smashing of the fash off the streets by physical force.

I'm FOR stopping the fash gathering / the no platform policy.

DYS?

Russell's Mother's Mum

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

UAF with bells on their hats

15.06.2009 01:08

UAF don't make us laugh, you were played all week, ohhh is it woodhouse or the art gallery?
So where were the big hardmen of Antifa when we were down there taking snapshots and following mouthpieces off after the little soiree.
Nazi Free Zone! Since when?
Questions were placed on Indymedia to ask Nick Griffin.
Heres a few we'd like to ask you?

Who was followed home after this event?
Who got a crack with a Coke bottle for their troubles?
Who lost a rucksack?
Who recieved a phone call asking if they had enjoyed themselves from outside their home?
Who was used as a mug all week in their rants and raves?
Who was followed home Sunday from their little Brick-a-Black sale?
Is this all fantasy? We shall see !

AntiAntifa

divide and rule

15.06.2009 07:43

lets see are we fighting the BNP- or the UAF or the SWP or Antifa or...just fighting? whilst the BNP take seats on councils and in the EU, the self proclaimed faces of UK antifascism are threatening to sweep each other off the streets - that will really help wont it?

just another humanbeing

so what are we going to actually do then?

15.06.2009 08:08

I'm sure we all realise that battle of the comments is hardly cutting edge anymore.

plain fact is that we need some actual unity - not the SWP organising dull rallies, not [we] anarchists having our fashion parade.

I didn't know about the orange order march... and I don't in a million years expect our beloved comrades in SWP etc. to tell the truth about anything... I should have known... we all should.

there is no harm in voting Green or even Labour to keep the BNP out - Voting Changes Nothing: The Struggle Continues... but not voting lets in the fascists.

By 'any means necessary' sounds well hard... but includes sitting down and working things out, making new organising structures, trudging up and down Keighley leafletting, swallowing your pride and voting for the Liberals! whatever...

the fash now have megabucks to go shmoozing [!] each other up in Europe. We're bickering and collecting £50 in tuppences.

SO WHAT NEXT?

love B

Bridget Riley

Swallowing more than pride

15.06.2009 09:12

"swallowing your pride and voting for the Liberals!"

With respect Bridget, that's not swallowing your pride, it's swallowing bullshit. The same line will be getting peddled by the mainstream political parties and the likes of the SWP at the next election, so let's not fall for it this time. None of these scum deserve any of our votes. The UAF leaflets I've seen make the BNP look radical, they say nothing to white working-class people. When all they are offering is 'Don't waste your vote' no wonder some people vote for the BNP. We need to get out leafleting, but our leaflets have to have a coherent message, which isn't just bullshit. We need to organise in our communities. But also, we are going to have to take on the BNP physically. The first thing antifascists should be doing though is getting rid of the parasites and party hacks, who steal money and energy from the movement, leading people down blind alleys like electoralism and demos arranged in cahoots with the cops. All these people are really interested in is selling papers and recruiting members - and there may have been coppers in those buckets on Saturday, but there were plenty of notes too - The SWP are currently doing very nicely out of the BNP, but it's about time they were told to fuck off once and for all.

Antifascist

strategy to beat BNP

15.06.2009 12:52

The strategy of the UAF was to inform people that the BNP had a good chance of winning a Euro seat and that if this happened it would would represent a qualitative step forward for fascism in Britain. We said that to prevent this happening people could not simply tell people not to vote BNP but had to actually use their vote for a non fascist party. To try and achieve this aim we gave out over 70,000 leaflets in the strongest anti BNP areas of Leeds. We met with the leaders of the different communities in Leeds to encourage them to mobilise their own communities to vote against the BNP. We did not stand our own candidates or endorse the candidates of any other party as we are a single issue campaign which aims to build the broadest possible alliance against the BNP. When we say we oppose the BNP electorally we mean that we publicise the true nature of the BNP and encourage people to vote against them. IT matters whether they win elections and therefore we have to do everything possible to ensure that they don't. With this strategy it is not possible to wait for a party which represents everything else we believe we have to work with reality of the political conditions that actually exist. When we say we will oppose them physically it means whenever they publically show their face we will mobilise as many people as possible to ensure that they are unable to pretend they are a normal political party , we will oppose them marching we will try to close their venues down we will push people to refuse to share a platform with them, we will surround and expose them. It does not mean that we assault individual fascists or attack their homes and therefore allow them to present themselves as the victims. The claim that UAF equals the SWP is utterly false they are a minority of Leeds UAF but at least have the decency to actively support our campaign which is more than we can say for our ultra left critics. To run this campaign costs money therefore we have to collect funds at events like Saturday's rally how to you suggest we fund ourselves. If you think the money is being spent on something other than our campaigns then spell it out we actually have a load of debts to pay for leaflets room and coach hire. By the way what was antifa's Euro election strategy because other than calling the police fascists and dressing in ridiculous black hoods it completely passed me by. Also it is utter nonsense that the only place the BNP cannot openly organise is West Yorkshire.

Leeds Mick

The SWP/UAF have no strategy to beat the BNP

15.06.2009 19:57

“The strategy of the UAF was to inform people that the BNP had a good chance of winning a Euro seat and that if this happened it would would represent a qualitative step forward for fascism in Britain. We said that to prevent this happening people could not simply tell people not to vote BNP but had to actually use their vote for a non fascist party. To try and achieve this aim we gave out over 70,000 leaflets in the strongest anti BNP areas of Leeds.”
It seems that they didn’t listen to you Mick, or maybe they thought that despite the glossiness of your leaflets you really had nothing to say. Surely it is the WEAKEST anti BNP areas where you should have been concentrating your leafleting, but that is to a large extent besides the point. Working-class people are not going to vote Tory, a few might swing to the Liberals or Greens, but for the vast majority, when you say ‘Don’t waste your vote’ it is tantamount to saying ‘Vote Labour’ (which is of course why New Labour and the unions pumped money into ‘Hope Not Hate’ and why Gordon Brown and the New Labour hierarchy backed them.) That is an insult to the intelligence of ordinary people, people who’ve had to suffer under the New Labour administration. A vote for Labour, Tories, or the Liberals is hardly a vote AGAINST racism is it? With this kind of pathetic message, the same message the SWP/UAF and their ilk have been pushing for years, no wonder people took no notice of you.
What else were you telling them, that “the BNP are a Narzi party”. Certainly there are still neo-Nazis in the BNP, certainly there are still many members with Nazi sympathies. They are a racist certainly, and they are fascists, isn’t that enough? I doubt many new BNP voters vote for them because they support the policies of Adolf Hitler or deny the Holocaust. By continuing to take on the BNP on this level you simply allow them to slip off the hook, by pointing to a member who is Jewish or even Asian.
For all their song and dance, the reality is that the UAF really haven’t done an awful lot to oppose the BNP. Hiding behind police lines waving banners and shouting silly slogans does not amount to a great deal. You simply channel the energy and righteous anger of anti-racists into nice, safe, state-sanctioned activities, where it’s very easy to sell papers, where it’s very easy to collect money, but where you are doing absolutely nothing to oppose the BNP except look stupid. A good example of this was your belated ‘opposition’ to the BNP’s ‘Red, White & Blue’ shindig last year, fucking over your own members in ‘Notts Stop The BNP’ and getting antifascists corralled into an entirely safe space a mile from the site, where all that happened was they got their pictures took by the cops.
Last Saturday, you conspired with the police to allow ‘Loyalist’ bigots and their fascist comrades to march in Leeds. You betrayed antifascism as you have done so often in the past. When the cops arrested people (at least one of whom was out leafleting for you recently incidentally) you turned your backs on them. You behaved as you always do.
The UAF in Leeds is dominated and controlled by the SWP, that is a fact – as it is elsewhere. For the opportunists of the SWP the struggle against fascism is no more than a good marketing opportunity for their boring paper, and a chance to increase their membership and swell the coffers of their party.
It is quite correct that the only area where the BNP do not openly advertise meetings, and are forced to use re-direction points even for their members is West Yorkshire. That is due to the hard work of militant antifascists in the area, who also distributed thousands of anti-BNP leaflets, and fly-posted hundreds of posters in the run-up to the elections – Only we paid for them ourselves, we didn’t take money from Gordon Brown and the racist Labour Party.
The UAF are pathetic, they don’t have a clue how to stop the BNP. They are hopelessly compromised by their SWP leadership and by getting into bed with New Labour and with the cops. They are, at best, a complete waste of time.
Those who genuinely wish to oppose the rise of the BNP need to realise that voting for some other clown, wearing a badge, or waving a placard simply isn’t enough – as was shown by last week’s election result. If you DO want to help stop the rise of fascism in this country visit www.antifa.org.uk Get informed, and then get involved.

No Pasaran!

Clueless UAF

15.06.2009 22:57

"We said that to prevent this happening people could not simply tell people not to vote BNP"

But that is exactly what you did do!

@

LMBFHAO

16.06.2009 00:18

If you guys put as much time into fighting the BNP as being keyboard warriors, we'd all be better off.
UAF is not perfect, but what exactly did the secret squirrels achieve at the Red Wite and Blue last year? 30 arrests, then crying for money in benefit gigs. Pointless nickings.
Or the last time the BNP had an event in Notts, at least UAF got the right COUNTY while others ran off to Derbyshire cos they thought they saw a fascist. Give them their due, they did eventually arrive 90 minutes late - all 3 of them - and then refused to take any part. Credit where it's due - they did give people lifts home from the middle of nowhere.

Let's assume that you're always right and UAF always wrong, just for a moment. Why is it then that I see the same old faces of the "militant anti-fascist" living on past glories from the 70's, telling us all how dangerous it is, and that we can't go to Ilkeston cos it's full of nazis? Meantime, off UAF go and get a job done.

Why is it then that if you've got all the correct answers, you seem to have such difficulty convincing other people of that? Let me guess - I'm either too stupid to see it, too ideologically brainwashed, or too liberal? Guess that must also include the 63,000,000 people that DIDN'T vote BNP then too? Seems a little elitist to me? Sorry, I forgot. You can't be an effective antifascist unless you agree with the particular ideology of the organisation in question.

Fine, we don't agree on tactics. You don't have to. Go off and do your own thing, get nicked, get beat, and get the wrong county.

Alternatively, at least STFU.

Mika Salo

ANTIFASCIST

16.06.2009 08:19

With respect mate, ANTIFA has done fuck all lately, the UAF has made big steps and improvements, were was you at the RWB? No were why our lot turned up, I feel we earned the respect, a handfull of us was against hundreds of the fascists.

We will continue to fight them politically, and physically, will you?

UAF champion

More Lies From the UAF

16.06.2009 10:10

The UAF's response to the BNP's 'RWB' last year - Wankers
The UAF's response to the BNP's 'RWB' last year - Wankers

More Lies From the UAF

“Let me guess - I'm either too stupid to see it, too ideologically brainwashed, or too liberal?”
It’s a lot simpler than that Mika, you’re talking shit. What are you on about, you seem to be confusing Antifa with some other group or organisation? Antifa did not hold any benefit gigs following last year’s RWB, not a single one, we didn’t need them as none of our members was charged with anything. What did we achieve? The Derbyshire farmer who hosts the RWB is selling his farm and moving away for a quieter life – See for example  http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/politics/Man-hosts-annual-BNP-festival-says/article-1057383-detail/article.html

Wasn’t it the UAF that were telling people they couldn’t go near the RWB site? Because they were scared shitless, because they were entirely in league with the cops, and because there was a better paper-selling opportunity elsewhere? Utter cowards. Then big-mouth Weyman Bennett elbows his way past the local residents to take part in a staged ‘march’ down the road, heavily protected by the cops. While the poor mugs the UAF had conned had to stay in their pen a mile away. The only ‘job’ the UAF got done was sabotaging what could have been a good action, pissing off local antiracists by their eliteism and arrogance, and stabbing their own local members in Notts Stop The BNP (who incidentally are nothing to do with Antifa) in the back.

Don’t claim to speak for the 63,000,000 people who didn’t vote BNP. They hardly listened to the UAF did they, otherwise they’d have voted New Labour.


‘UAF Champion’, with respect ‘mate’, just what planet are you on? Where were we at the RWB?! Well not hiding behind the cops anyway. The UAF haven’t earned respect from ANYONE for their disgraceful behaviour in terms of the RWB, not even from local liberal antiracist groups. You don’t combat the BNP politically at all, nor do you confront them physically either. What are you on about?!

Antifa don’t publicise all our actions, because we are a militant organisation rather than one that works hand in glove with the cops. We are organised, active, and open to new members. Check out our website to see what we’re up to, and our Contacts section to get in touch with your nearest group.

Antifascist
- Homepage: http://www.antifa.org.uk

no pasaran

16.06.2009 10:29

Checked out your website still no strategy other than graffitying pubs . Where did you put out thousands of leaflets and flyposter as I have not seen a single one. Where were you in the Wortley,Temple Newsam by elections ; the last local elections we went to all the BNP strong holds you were invisible. I wouldn't usually bother with this debate but my attention was drawn to your criticisms. You'll find we don't latch onto your activities and events because there aren't any.

leeds Mick

"No Pasaran"? - The UAF are disgrace to antifascism

16.06.2009 11:04

“Where did you put out thousands of leaflets and flyposter as I have not seen a single one.”

Perhaps you should get out a bit more then Mick.

“You'll find we don't latch onto your activities and events”

The last thing we’d want there is the SWP/UAF and their police minders. You keep on printing your glossy leaflets, saying nothing, bowing and scraping to the cops, and pushing people further into the arms of the BNP. We’ll keep on getting the job done, and we neither need nor welcome your consent or approval.

Antifascist

Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

UAF incompetence and treachery

16.06.2009 11:13

There is a bit more to the UAF fucking up on Saturday in terms of the march/demo (see  https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432034.html?c=on#comments). They advertized several different starting points but mainly woodhouse moore and the art gallery. As well as at least 2 different times. All looks like they sabotaged it as woodhouse residents turned up only to be met by the cops and there wasn't anything about it on the internet at all in the end. They did more than that though - they had to change the times because it was going to clash with the fascist orange order march taking place that day. So they changed the time to avoid anyone having a go at the nazis. The time for the orange order march was changed later, but the UAF kept quiet about it and made sure antifascists were out of the area. They are not just incompetent they are traitors.

Green Rider

Unity?

16.06.2009 12:07

Sectarian squabbles over different strategies won't get us very far. The anti-facist movement is big enougth to accomdate us all. I thought the event on Saturday went well.

moon23

anitfascist

16.06.2009 12:33

We don't confront the BNP physically? And what about the eggs being thrown at Griffin?
Amongst other things.

UAF Champion

Saturday and beyond

16.06.2009 12:38

"I thought the event on Saturday went well. "

A reasonable turn-out considering the fact that the UAF kept changing the start time and venue. A shame some of the hand-picked speakers were rather dire and others were inaudible. A shame for the 2 lasses who got nicked only to be abandoned by their UAF comrades. But most of all a shame that, thanks to the UAF, the Orange bigots and their fascist friends were allowed to openly march on the streets of Leeds for the first time in years.

Sectarianism is a falling out of comrades, and while I'm sure there are many good people in the UAF rank and file, the UAF-SWP leadership are certainly no comrades of mine. I can see what you're saying about unity mate, the SWP have for years exploited that one, but the only unity they're interested in is complete control. Only by examining the state of the anti-fascist movement and of the liberal and radical Left can we hope to understand the rise of the BNP. Only by proper analysis can we hope to come up with any form of coherent strategy. The UAF offer very simplistic solutions, very simplistic politics which appeal to those who mean well but are either inexperienced or haven't given the matter a lot of thought. The BNP will not be stopped however as long as the leadership of the UAF are allowed to promote themselves as the be all and end all of anti-fascism. Committed anti-fascists need to look elsewhere, perhaps to Antifa, or just organising autonomously, but toeing the same tired old party line, and mouthing the same empty slogans ("The BNP are a narzeee party") is no way forward.

Against the BNP

Now the UAF are street-fighters!

16.06.2009 12:58

"We don't confront the BNP physically? And what about the eggs being thrown at Griffin?"

Are you claiming that was done by the UAF? Because so far, nobody, not even the UAF leadership has done that. If a UAF member or anyone else at that demo had been seen with eggs by a UAF steward they'd have been grassed up. If some UAF members did get stuck in, all well and good, obviously they're seeing through the liberal shite that their leadership keeps spouting, just as Red Action and many other SWP members saw through the lies of the SWP membership in the past. Hopefully what people will have learned from that episode is that genuinely having a go at the BNP is a lot more effective than just hiding behind the cops whining tired slogans.

"Amongst other things."

Like what?

Antifascist

ANTIFA

16.06.2009 13:35



No I am not claiming that the UAF did it as such, but I believe that there was a couple of UAF supporters was there that just went along for the BNP.

It doesn't matter what else the UAF has done, I will not say on a public posting like here, but some have had enough of the BNP and want more action thats all I'm saying.

I have a lot of respect for Antifa, but there quiet at the moe, and certainly are not the force they use to be..






TO TONY WHITE..


You are a shit head and a coward, I have seen you before, and when I walked past you you looked at me, I stopped and glared at you and you shit out and scurried away like the rat you are, Leeds is camera up to fuck, so I let you off this time, but next time I see you I will bash the fuck out of you, and I will film it, good job your wife was there, I wont hit another man even a facsist in front of his family, but you will be on your own 1 day,

UAF Champion

UNITY

16.06.2009 13:40

Look can't we just all get along, we have Fascist trolls on here, and all this rubbish is giving them the cheap laughs they desire, fuck em lets all work together.

UAF Champion

Get on

16.06.2009 14:21

We cannot get on when there are trolls in here using other names like the idiot Tony White and making sure we get off the beaten track, ignore them and they'll scurry off as usual.
Stop hiding behind names and get a spine.
Unite!

UAF Champion

UAF Champion

16.06.2009 15:30

"It doesn't matter what else the UAF has done, I will not say on a public posting like here, but some have had enough of the BNP and want more action thats all I'm saying. "

That's good to hear, and I wish those of you who really are prepared to get your hands dirty well. I would certainly be very careful about letting the UAF leadership know if you get up to anything though, because I think they will grass you up. Antifa remain as active as ever. When you've had enough of the UAF look us up.

Good luck to all those taking a genuinely militant stand against antifascism.

Antifascist

seconded

16.06.2009 16:25

I can only second that! Good luck to everybody walking the walk and not just shouting helplessly from behind the lines.

ananrchist

Ant fascist

17.06.2009 13:29

I'm still waiting for you to explain what your strategy is as it is not in any of your contributions or on the website you refer people to. It seems to me it is clandestine actions by small groups of people with no attempt to mobilise any large forces or anyone who does not share your anarchist views. This is clearly wholly inadequate to defeat the BNP in the 21st century. The UAF aims to make anti Fascism mainstream and not isolated. This is not sowing illusions in mainstream parties; those illusions are there as a political reality with real; historical and material roots and not created by us You cannot defeat fascism by hiding under hoods which the public sees as scary and the rest of us see as theatrical and limiting your activists to those who share your world view.It can. only be defeated by building a mass movement which includes those who have illusions in mainstream parties (ie the vast majority of society). Please give me explain to me what your strategy is without just attacking the SWP as I and most UAF supporters are not members of that party and I reiterate that the SWP is not the leadership of Leeds UAF just because you say it is a fact does not make it reality.

Leeds Mick

Ant fascist

17.06.2009 13:46

I'm still waiting for you to explain what your strategy is as it is not in any of your contributions or on the website you refer people to. It seems to me it is clandestine actions by small groups of people with no attempt to mobilise any large forces or anyone who does not share your anarchist views. This is clearly wholly inadequate to defeat the BNP in the 21st century. The UAF aims to make anti Fascism mainstream and not isolated. This is not sowing illusions in mainstream parties; those illusions are there as a political reality with real; historical and material roots and not created by us You cannot defeat fascism by hiding under hoods which the public sees as scary and the rest of us see as theatrical and limiting your activists to those who share your world view.It can. only be defeated by building a mass movement which includes those who have illusions in mainstream parties (ie the vast majority of society). Please give me explain to me what your strategy is without just attacking the SWP as I and most UAF supporters are not members of that party and I reiterate that the SWP is not the leadership of Leeds UAF just because you say it is a fact does not make it reality.

Leeds Mick

Leeds Mick

18.06.2009 11:25

For someone representing an organisation whose sole analysis seems to be "The BNP are a Narzi party", you've got quite a cheek Mick, but there's plenty of analysis on the Antifa website for those who aren't too thick to look. It was Antifa that led the call for a mass mobilisation against the RWB (many months before the UAF stuck their oar in) and against the BPP in Leeds. Those were not ‘clandestine’ actions, nor did they involve small groups of people. Our recent ‘Call to Arm’, printed on the front page of our newsletter ‘No Pasaran!’ and reproduced on our website and on Indymedia could hardly be more ‘open’. Please go away and look at the website and use your brain for once, I don’t have the time or inclination to engage in a ‘one to one’ tutorial with you.

As for your claim that Leeds UAF aren't led and controlled by the SWP, I don't believe you're that stupid, so I guess we can just put it down to bullshit. You’ll be trying to tell us that the SWP’s Weyman Bennett is UAF leader because of his intelligence and charisma next!

While 'Loyalists' were burning out Romanian families in Belfast at the weekend, the UAF were busy conspiring with the cops to let their brethren in the Orange Order (as well as others from openly fascist parties) march virtually unopposed through the streets of Leeds. Go on Mick, tell us the UAF didn't know about the Orange Order march, and I doubt I'll be the only one calling you a liar. I'd be surprised if even you would be that brazen, but many antifascists in Leeds won't forget that the UAF not only changed their schedule to accommodate the bigots and fascists, not only helped to keep their presence in the city quiet, but cleared the square of 500 antifascists so that the OO march could assemble there. Are the words 'cowards', 'traitors', and 'scum' too strong? Personally I don’t think they are.

Antifascist
- Homepage: http://www.antifa.org.uk

my experience

04.01.2010 14:29

Uaf were making speechs at people who are allready commited to antifascism for a painfull amount of time.Weyman bennet just wanted his face on camara.When some of my friends were penned in by the police with the edl i toild weyman as they were on the phone to me he said itll just be a rumour.
at least antifa act

steve scum
mail e-mail: swellbelly@hotmail.co.uk

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