The Amber Valley and Derby Campaigns Against Racism and Fascism and Notts Stop the BNP are jointly planning a mass demonstration to oppose the BNP’s Red, White and Blue festival this year, on Saturday 15th August 2009. This is attracting widespread support. These local campaign groups are meeting with the Midlands TUC, who have passed a resolution calling for a protest with them, and calling for all their constituent unions to mobilise.

The protest will begin with as many local activists as possible assembling in Codnor from 9 am. It is anticipated that contingents will arrive from elsewhere in the country leading up to a National Rally at 11 am, with a demonstration to follow that. These details may change nearer the time.

The objectives of the protest against the BNP’s RWB festival will be:
1.to bring together those who oppose the BNP in a peaceful and unified show of mass opposition to this major national event of theirs;
2.to make clear to participants in the BNP event that they are not welcome in attempting to use Amber Valley as a base for their activities;
3.to attempt to make the protest seen by as many as possible of those thinking of attending the festival;
4.to encourage opponents of the BNP in the Amber Valley district and wider area to continue to campaign against the divisive policies of the BNP and the violent activities of their members;
5.to safeguard as much as possible the safety of those protesting.

Representatives from all of the campaigns planning the protest will be meeting on a weekly basis from now on up until the event itself.

A number of organisations, such as UAF and Hope not Hate, have not been actively involved as yet, but UAF have said they will work with the local campaigns, and have announced the same event time.

Last year there was confusion and division as the UAF attempted to organise separately, make their own arrangements with police, and then to hijack the main march.

Also last year at the opposite end of the festival site police violently attacked a separate action by atifascists trying to disrupt the BNP.

A major planning meeting is planned for July 18th in the centre of Nottingham. The details of this will be posted on the website soon.

The website  http://nobnpfestival.wordpress.com/ will be used to keep people informed of this protest as well as other campaigning activity in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area. For further information please contact  nobnpfestival@riseup.net