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First report back from RWB demo

BB Gunn | 15.08.2009 16:16 | Anti-racism | Repression | Social Struggles | Liverpool

Fun and frolics at the RWB demo

Early reports back from the demonstration at the BNP's Red, White and Blue piss-up suggest that there were in excess of 1500 protestors and a measly seven arrests (three for being outside the designated protest zone, for God's sake).

The other four arrests were made when those at the head of the march of about a thousand demonstrators tried to force their way past a cordon of mounted and standing police to the entrance to the RWB site 150 metres away. Bags of flour, plastic bottles, eggs and fruit were thrown.

The main body of demonstrators, which was monitored by a helicoptor, CCTV cameras and a camera mounted on a drone, gathered in Codnor's Market Place, chanting "Nazi scum, off our streets" and waving placards. The other arrests took place at the junction of Codnor-Denby Lane and Heanor Road, where smaller groups of protestors clashed with officers.

The march came a day after an open letter was published on Unite Against Fascism's website, condemning the BNP event. The letter, whose signatories include former London mayor Ken Livingstone, children's author Michael Rosen and trade union leaders, accused the BNP of trying to "build up a hardened neo-Nazi core at the centre of the organisation".

It said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda."

Non-copyright report pinched from Lancaster Unity  http://lancasteruaf.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-report-back-from-rwb-demo.html

* Anyone got any pictures?

BB Gunn

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

Images

15.08.2009 19:16

There are some images on the original post on Lancaster Unity now but surely some protestors can upload a few here too.

BB Gunn


Arrests

16.08.2009 15:30

The BBC are reporting 19 arrests....  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/8201022.stm


"(three for being outside the designated protest zone, for God's sake)."

It's worth at least pointing out that there wouldn't be a designated protest zone if the SWP weren't communicating with the police... which is why last year Notts-Against-The-BNP decided they weren't going to.

Anon-archist


By the way

16.08.2009 19:39

The BNP weren't granted an alcohol or music license this year. Rumour has it that they didn't apply for it. So they were probably pissed off rather than pissed merrily...mwa ha ha...

Peaceful Lefty Protestor


@ Anon-archist

17.08.2009 16:07

I'm not saying talking to the cops is a good thing but you are wrong as a Section 14 or 12 could be still put in place even if there is no communication with the cops.

ARA