Fighting Fascism Is A Task For Us All (Antifa Statement)
Antifa England | 28.10.2009 15:49 | Anti-racism | World
In the past in Britain (and still today in most other European countries) opposing fascism was considered a duty by almost all anarchists and socialists. Today, many (particularly within the British anarchist movement) have abdicated responsibility for taking on the fascists, and either ignore the issue completely, or at best seed responsibility to specialist antifascist groups such as Antifa. Opposing fascism is something ALL of us have to play a part in, particularly with the growing influence of fascist groups like the British National Party (BNP.)
Organizations like ‘Unite Against Fascism’ (UAF) and ‘Hope Not Hate’ would probably agree with the above premise. However, while many of their rank and file supporters may be genuine in their intent, the organizations themselves have no real interest in defeating organized fascism. The UAF is a front-group dominated and controlled by the Trotskyite ‘Socialist Workers Party’ (SWP) who are far more interested in selling papers and recruiting members than in effectively confronting the BNP. ‘Hope Not Hate’ were set up by the State-affiliated entity ‘Searchlight’, who tell us we can stop the BNP by voting Labour and helping to strengthen the tools of the State itself (i.e. new laws.) Both groups merely seek to manipulate and exploit antifascists, and arguably their stupid politics must take some of the share of responsibility for the rise of the BNP in the first place. At best they are a waste of time.
Antifa is a network of ordinary men and women opposed to the rise of the Far-Right. We work autonomously, but are united by a shared set of principles enshrined in our Founding Statement. If you support our position, you can get involved with one of our groups, or you could even set up your own. Ultimately however, we are not asking for people to join us; we are not asking for your contact details or for your money; we are simply asking for you to ACT.
While their true aims have not changed in the slightest, the BNP are trying to make the move from the shadows of neo-Nazism to mainstream politics. They are hiding their old swastika armbands under suit jackets and going out leafleting instead of petrol-bombing the homes of Asian families (leaving that kind of terror to their fascist allies and their ‘off-duty’ members.) They stand candidates in elections and regularly hold stalls in town centres around the country. Going public in this way however, makes them vulnerable.
Besides the BNP, there are other fascist groups who must also be opposed when they come out onto the streets. They are in many ways even easier to combat. In fighting organized fascism the only limits are our imagination and courage, even small numbers of people can make a difference.
Antifa however, also believe in organizing within our own communities against the spread of racism stirred up by everyone from the mainstream media to New Labour, and against the fascism of the BNP. Only by organizing in our own communities and workplaces can we hope to defeat fascism once and for all. In the white working-class areas where the BNP have already gained a toe-hold (primarily former Labour strongholds where people rightly feel betrayed by the mainstream parties and have been conned into seeing the BNP as some form of ‘radical’ alternative), as well as confronting the BNP physically, we should aim to challenge the BNP’s fascist politics and replace them with our own anti-racist, anti-state, and pro working-class politics.
These are desperate times for antifascists and all of us must play our part in taking on organized fascism. Antifa believe we have already shown on numerous occasions that a relatively small number of dedicated antifascists can score decisive victories. Most of our actions and activities go unreported, but the fascists know and fear us. Imagine what a difference it would make if there were thousands of us.
Organizations like ‘Unite Against Fascism’ (UAF) and ‘Hope Not Hate’ would probably agree with the above premise. However, while many of their rank and file supporters may be genuine in their intent, the organizations themselves have no real interest in defeating organized fascism. The UAF is a front-group dominated and controlled by the Trotskyite ‘Socialist Workers Party’ (SWP) who are far more interested in selling papers and recruiting members than in effectively confronting the BNP. ‘Hope Not Hate’ were set up by the State-affiliated entity ‘Searchlight’, who tell us we can stop the BNP by voting Labour and helping to strengthen the tools of the State itself (i.e. new laws.) Both groups merely seek to manipulate and exploit antifascists, and arguably their stupid politics must take some of the share of responsibility for the rise of the BNP in the first place. At best they are a waste of time.
Antifa is a network of ordinary men and women opposed to the rise of the Far-Right. We work autonomously, but are united by a shared set of principles enshrined in our Founding Statement. If you support our position, you can get involved with one of our groups, or you could even set up your own. Ultimately however, we are not asking for people to join us; we are not asking for your contact details or for your money; we are simply asking for you to ACT.
While their true aims have not changed in the slightest, the BNP are trying to make the move from the shadows of neo-Nazism to mainstream politics. They are hiding their old swastika armbands under suit jackets and going out leafleting instead of petrol-bombing the homes of Asian families (leaving that kind of terror to their fascist allies and their ‘off-duty’ members.) They stand candidates in elections and regularly hold stalls in town centres around the country. Going public in this way however, makes them vulnerable.
Besides the BNP, there are other fascist groups who must also be opposed when they come out onto the streets. They are in many ways even easier to combat. In fighting organized fascism the only limits are our imagination and courage, even small numbers of people can make a difference.
Antifa however, also believe in organizing within our own communities against the spread of racism stirred up by everyone from the mainstream media to New Labour, and against the fascism of the BNP. Only by organizing in our own communities and workplaces can we hope to defeat fascism once and for all. In the white working-class areas where the BNP have already gained a toe-hold (primarily former Labour strongholds where people rightly feel betrayed by the mainstream parties and have been conned into seeing the BNP as some form of ‘radical’ alternative), as well as confronting the BNP physically, we should aim to challenge the BNP’s fascist politics and replace them with our own anti-racist, anti-state, and pro working-class politics.
These are desperate times for antifascists and all of us must play our part in taking on organized fascism. Antifa believe we have already shown on numerous occasions that a relatively small number of dedicated antifascists can score decisive victories. Most of our actions and activities go unreported, but the fascists know and fear us. Imagine what a difference it would make if there were thousands of us.
Antifa England
Homepage:
http://www.antifa.org.uk
Comments
Hide the following 55 comments
A Yes/No question for Antifa England.
28.10.2009 16:41
I know that this was a security service tactic in Northern Ireland during 'the troubles' [1]. I speak as a Scot who was attacked by a local BNP 'white-power' drug gang just after I'd condemned a supposed peace activist who had boasted of his MI5 links, but I have no idea if this was simple coincidence.
I am not asking you to comment on my experience, and I also suggest you shouldn't comment on sectarianism in general since many working class 'loyalists' love to fight fascists, I simply want to know if there is existing evidence of state involvement in extreme right wing groups in England.
[1] How Britain created Ulster's murder gangs
"British military intelligency actually created loyalist murder gangs to operate as proxy assassins. They even cleared areas in which the gangs were operating of police and army, to allow them to carry out their hits and escape."
Danny
Resisting Centralised Control in Britain
28.10.2009 16:46
It seems to me that the Fascist movement has been helped rather than hindered by the mainstream political parties, which all seem to have Fascist inclinations these days.
I am very suspicious of all centrally controlled organisations, including the Communist and Socialist movements. They have very shadowy backgrounds and providence.
It seems to me that only individuals working on a local basis and building secure connections with those that they know they can trust have any answers to the emerging British Police State that we now live in.
I think you might be surprised at how many people are beginning to think along these lines. People from a variety of political and religious backgrounds who now realise that all organisations have been infiltrated and the leaders are selected rather than elected.
Most political and religious 'leaders' are now puppets being manipulated from behind the scenes. It seems to me that those who control the central banks and global corporations are the real power elite who are pulling the strings.
We all need to upgrade our strategy and tactics accordingly.
Little John
Good statement
28.10.2009 16:56
It's also good to see the wider movement being gently taken to task for their lack of engagement with antifascism. We see numerous examples of this all the time on Indymedia, a thread on the NF is currently being derailed because someone used the word 'cunt' for example, while Northern Indymedia doesn't even have a posting category for anti-racist or antifascist stuff.
Plenty of people seem to have nothing better to do than snipe at antifascists. Perhaps they will now set up their own autonomous antifascist groups and join the antifascist struggle in whatever way they feel able...But I doubt it.
Antifascist
Danger of anti-fascist groups trying to police the community
28.10.2009 17:23
Jay Knott
e-mail:
jayn0t@yahoo.com
Homepage:
http://palestinethinktank.com/2009/08/12/trial-by-indymedia/
What the fuck has this got to do with Antifa England??!!!
28.10.2009 17:45
Whoever this group are they have absolutely nothing to do with Antifa England. We also only have your side of this. A lot can be judged by your last sentence - More of a threat than fascists? You've obviously never seen pictures of Auschwitz you idiot.
Antifascist Always
Worse than the fascists
28.10.2009 17:51
Whatchtalkinboutsucka
Antifascists just can't win
28.10.2009 18:01
J.J.
Love the statement
28.10.2009 18:06
RobA
Smear against Portland Antifa - a blatant case of trolling
28.10.2009 18:14
Rose City Antifa: Statement on Anti-Semites and their Collaborators
author: Rose City Antifa e-mail: fight_them_back [at] riseup [dot] net
Recent events have highlighted the fact that anti-Semitic organizers in Portland, Oregon are relying on "Leftist" spaces and groups to tolerate their efforts and ideology.
On Wednesday, June 10, Valdas Anelauskas, a self-described "white separatist" who is involved with Holocaust-denial circles, gave a presentation to a group of sympathizers in Portland, Oregon. The event was sponsored by the Portland 9/11 Truth Alliance, and was initially scheduled to take place at the Laughing Horse Book & Video Collective.
Members of Rose City Antifascists ("Antifa") —the Portland affiliate of the Anti-Racist Action Network—were among those who contacted Laughing Horse Books about the scheduled event. The Laughing Horse collective canceled the anti-Semitic event within 48 hours of being notified about its true nature. Subsequently the Portland 9/11 Truth Alliance moved Anelauskas' talk—on the topic of "The Frankfurt School and Cultural Marxism"—to a secondary venue, which was also discovered by Antifa and then persuaded to cancel on the day of the event. Unfortunately, Anelauskas' talk then went ahead at a third venue, a restaurant obviously booked at the last minute.
Valdas Anelauskas is a "racialist" (read: racist) activist currently based in Eugene, Oregon. This Lithuanian immigrant has assisted the World Anti-Communist League, an organization that supported Latin American death squads and has harbored former Nazi collaborators. Anelauskas is now active in the Pacifica Forum, a Eugene, Oregon organization which hosts Holocaust-denial speakers such as David Irving plus Mark Weber of the Institute for Historical Review. Anelauskas himself claims that the evidence for the Holocaust is "shaky", that Jewish people are responsible for "Bolshevism", and that the infamous Protocols of the Elders of Zion are credible. Anelauskas' position on Jewish people is clear:
"Only from people of that peculiar tribe can we expect such Talmudic hatred for humanity. There is even a famous saying that wars are the Jews' harvest."
While Portland 9/11 Truth Alliance activist Tim Titrud was one organizer for Anelauskas' talk in Portland, Titrud appears to have been assisted by a cast of several others, especially Tim Calvert, who is well-known in Portland as a co-founder of Laughing Horse Books as well as the Citybikes Workers' Cooperative. Calvert's conspiracy theories about Jewish power, and his denial of the Nazi genocide against the Jewish people, have been an open secret in Portland for years.
Footage of Anelauskas' speech, including an introduction by Tim Calvert, is available at the following link:
http://www. mefeedia. com/entry/pdx-9-11-truth-on-frankfurt-school-cultural-marxism-in-america/19360151
The anti-Semitic, racist and fascistic nature of Anelauskas' presentation is obvious. We would like to note, however, Tim Calvert's insinuation during the introduction that his critics are actually state agents—an extremely dangerous claim to make in the absence of any evidence.
Rose City Antifa strongly opposes attempts to make excuses for anti-Semitism, or to pretend that it is any less poisonous than any other form of racism. Anelauskas' speaking event in Portland took place on the same day that white supremacist James von Brunn opened fire at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, murdering a security guard there.
By making its anti-Semitism explicit, and by organizing in association with racists, fascists and Holocaust-deniers, the Portland 9/11 Truth Alliance has shown its true colors. It has cleared up any confusion in anti-fascist ranks about how we should consider the organization.
With all this stated, we applaud the Laughing Horse Books collective for its brave decision to cancel the Anelauskas event at the store. We have now received information that Tim Calvert has retired from Laughing Horse Books, although this may or may not actually be the case. Needless to say, we believe that Laughing Horse should not host any future events of the Portland 9/11 Truth Alliance. We also believe that most of the Laughing Horse Books collective have acted commendably so far.
Rose City Antifa calls for the Citybikes Workers' Cooperative to remove Tim Calvert from the co-op, and to thereby stop putting food on his plate. We believe that those pushing organized Jew-hatred and pogrom politics should be collectively resisted. If a collective or co-op can't deal properly with an anti-Semitic activist within its ranks, then it does not deserve to be supported.
Other organizations involving Tim Calvert, such as the Cascadia Education Project, are also advised to take notice.
This statement is a beginning; other fascist collaborators should not consider themselves to have been let off the hook in any way.
No compromise and no half-measures!
- Rose City Antifa / Portland ARA
fight_them_back [at] riseup [dot] net
Not So Green
Jay Knott
28.10.2009 18:26
Get Knotted
Oh Danny,
28.10.2009 18:40
Cheers Fella
@narchist
Same old divisions...
28.10.2009 18:50
Paul Newham
e-mail:
nogsrocks@hotmail.co.uk
way 2 go
28.10.2009 18:56
jo
uaf- fuck em
28.10.2009 19:24
Nobody mentioned anarchist movement here btw.
Antifa can't fight the battle alone, but it definitely would do all of us a massive favor if UAF would disappear and stop ruining everything. If any of their membership are serious about combating fash effectively they should leave the group and start their own ones.
antifascist
A serious question for antifa
28.10.2009 19:40
No problems with the content, just concerned about the autonmous activities of some going under the antifa name and maybe jeopardising the prospects of those in uncertain circumstances?
No comment
Well done Antifa
28.10.2009 19:49
The UAF are idiots and continue to constantly publicise the BNP and support religious fascist nutters.
The future is small autonomous groups agitating in our communities aswell as getting hands dirty.
Bring on the long war.
Interesting analysis by the IWCA here for those interested in getting away from the lie of multicultural and identity politics being banged about by the redundant left
Cedric
What has this got to do with Antifa England?
28.10.2009 20:26
Jay Knott
Homepage:
http://palestinethinktank.com/2009/08/12/trial-by-indymedia/
a plea
28.10.2009 20:35
Facists killed millions in WW2
Communism/Far left etc killed millions in russia, china, Eastern europe etc
how about the human race just stops behaveing like spoilt rich uni kids on a gap year. We bleat about civil liberties and human rights...how about human responsibilities.
anon
So?
28.10.2009 21:27
A-Nonny-Nonny
Some comments
28.10.2009 21:31
No Comment - If you are involved with Antifa you shouldn't need to ask how this statement got approved, and you should know better than to make that post. If you're not, don't expect a reply on a public forum. Needless to say it was produced both collectively and democratically.
As for Jay Knott, as has been said, you are blatantly trolling this thread. Can you please respect that this is a discussion centred on antifascism in England, and nothing whatsoever to do with Portland, Oregon?
Antifa activist
Hope Not Hate
28.10.2009 21:44
Anarchist
FAO Paul (above)
28.10.2009 21:52
That might be just naive Paul, but it's also incredibly patronising. Don't you think loads of us have tried working with these groups (and their forebears) before? Some of us have been at this for decades. Time and time again we have been shafted. It's hardly anything new, hardly anything you wouldn't expect from the authoritarian Left (or in Searchlight's case - the State.) If you can't wake up and smell the coffee please don't assume that everyone else is just being sectarian. There are very good reasons not to work with the UAF/SWP and with Searchlight, reasons that should hardly need repeating - except that it seems some people constantly need reminding. There are plenty of good well-meaning people in the UAF - but they're having their time and energy wasted and exploited by their poisonous (SWP) leadership.
Another Antifascist
Something missing?
28.10.2009 22:02
I would like to know who put this out, there is a thing called a honey trap.
The security services have infiltrated antifa, and anyone who denies that is a liar.
If the security services can get inside the IRA and UVF, I don't think there is much problem getting into antifa is there?
After the first few arrests people talk, that's how people are. Then jail awaits.
Some arrested are turned into informers, look at the history of the IRA.
And that is what has happen now in antifa.
Independent groups forming, what you just take on who comes along?
Organising violence or just talking about it, will cost many serious time away.
Paul
Missing link
28.10.2009 22:13
Antifascist
Paul
28.10.2009 22:19
Can't you read? The statement is signed and here on the Antifa England site:
You tin-foil helmet conspira-loons spend so much time hiding behind the sofa, you really don't know what's going on in the real world do you? Then again, you're probably a cop trolling for info and trying to persuade others to hide behind the sofa.
ACAB
What IS this idiot on about?!
28.10.2009 22:24
"there is a thing called a honey trap"
Yeah it's fiendish that one!
(There are also some people who are generally called 'IDIOTS'!)
White Coat Squad
Antifa
28.10.2009 22:27
Antifa in england must have changed their previous stance, what has happened to the house inspections and wanting to know everything about people wanting to get involved.
Could have told you over two years ago it was a dumb thing to do.
The less you know about your comrades the less you can divulge when put under pressure from the forces of the crown.
Deep behind enemy lines
Bollocks!
28.10.2009 22:27
Fuck off copper!
Sqiddy
Agreed
28.10.2009 22:28
There is an on going police investigation into ANTIFA.
I hate to say it, put someone has been talking to the police.
June
Deep behind enemy lines?
28.10.2009 22:33
Oh, you know each other? How convenient. Want to tell the rest of us who this Paul is?
'Deep behind enemy lines' ? You mean you both work out of the same police station?
Antifa groups remain as security-conscious as ever.
Nice try
Troll Alert!
28.10.2009 22:37
28.10.2009 22:28
Paul is correct, there have been arrests.
There is an on going police investigation into ANTIFA.
I hate to say it, put someone has been talking to the police.
June
What absolutely fucking pitiful trolling! 'June' is it now?!
Guess all you like mug, it means fuck all to those of us involved. You'd really have to be thick not to see through this.
Antifascist
Jog on Troll!
28.10.2009 22:47
And you'd know? I don't think so!
@nti-fascist
Good statement ANTIFA
28.10.2009 22:50
Nazi Hater
"Deep behind enemy lines"!!
28.10.2009 22:56
So why didn't you?
"The less you know about your comrades the less you can divulge when put under pressure from the forces of the crown."
Right, so we just work with people we don't know? Brilliant! You've been reading too many Commando comics sonny!
Captain Mainwaring
what we really need...
28.10.2009 23:08
Henry Julius Compton
Northern Indymedia
28.10.2009 23:12
Leeds activist
Henry
28.10.2009 23:19
zzzz
Good statement Antifa
28.10.2009 23:21
Tom Jones
To @nar©hist
29.10.2009 00:22
My question was 'Have British state security services ever been caught creating or aiding fascist gangs on the UK mainland?' A 'No' would've sufficed. I apologise to Antifa if that seems a distraction from an obviously important statement but I simply don't know and wanted to ask the people who would.
There never used to be any local fascists operating openly here and I assumed there never would be, so I've never taken a great interest in the way they operate in England. Those that are here now are little more dangerous than any other drugs'n'knives gang, even less so now they've been identified on the BNP list.
Danny
FEBA
29.10.2009 01:43
Today FEBA invited Nick Griffin to a Hamilton Radio Station because a local BNP supporter donated £3000 plus some kit, on his way to campaign in the Glasgow NE by-election. Larkhall, nearby, is one of the few Scottish towns targetted constantly by fascist propaganda over decades. Griffin was pelted with eggs by protestors, forcing him to withdraw from electioneering here and the stations advertisers have withdrawn funding. The L107 studio on Bothwell Road later admitted it was 'commericial suicide' to invite him - but they don't know the half of it yet, it was more than just commercial suicide. Hopefully this will be the turning point where the orange community turns on the white supremacists.
The SNP have condemned this stunt as have every Scottish party and every Scottish military group. It is harder to deal with a decent charity that accepts fascist funding, but FEBA have crossed a line. Every effort will be made to rehabilitate their existing work within a respectable military charity such as 'Combat Stress'.
Danny
Come on Antifa is smarter than this, heres an assement many ex afa agree with
29.10.2009 05:12
Best tactic for antifash is to organise smartly on demos & if the BNP or EDL attack citizens arrest or self defend this looks appeaing to the public & gets more involved. Also worth getting evidence on nazi bnp combat 18 activists who are usually known in many cities by antifash & then passing info to the any antifash political figures to make sure police do something about it, then discreet action maybe worth it. Discreetly shutting down or making sure nazi companies get properly taxed is also worth doing.
Most importantly lets get involved in campaigns that aim for more democracy at every level&that arent too party political, this is the exact opposite of what fascists want & direct democracy is appealing. Getting millions who abstain to vote for candidates up for more direct democracy as well as organising in usual ways can only help, abstaining isnt working.
Getting into fueds on the streets is not the way forward, this is what Antifa England seems to be promoting, it puts alot of people off& can get people arrested wether idiots or not. Now Griffins a MEP making him a martyr isnt a good idea, getting him taken away by men in white or blue coats is a good idea, as he is already a foaming physcotic under the suit, white coats would be the most effective.
There are some amazing people in Antifa, dont waste your lives & fall into any traps. Change the wording from overt physical confontation to self defence of people & democracy
night shift
Not the Place
29.10.2009 07:13
As someone in the know it is really funny to hear some of the comments.
Some of you do not have a clue.
To those on the frontline onwards and upwards!
I commend your brave challenge to the status quo, to the rest - get a life!
As I said before, I was previously involved but not prepared for the house inspection
deep behind enemy lines
FAO 'nightshift' and 'D.B.E.L.'
29.10.2009 10:29
'deep behind enemy lines' - If you're who I think you are, why don't you get in touch with your pal on the inside?
Antifa supporter
Defending democracy
29.10.2009 14:16
I understand why you dont want to work with the police, shame that their force still has a undemocratic reputation, whilst there isnt real democracy their force will be largely corrupt, especially in political& business matters. Though even in a anarchist society using direct democracy a delegated,regulated force of law-health regulators would still be necessary to deal with people who for whatever reason extremely abuse others.
Ive helped deal with quite afew extreme abusers,after bashing many go home lick their wounds & go undercover, besides arrest this only leaves extra harsh measures, or imparement & imprisonment, I think we should increase links with any good people in the NHS white coat brigade. White coats are necessary for all blood thirsty dictators types, many police agree with this, but yeh any undemocratic force cant really be trusted, its a shame.
Government should be careful, fairplay is a very british tradition, people are becoming more educated & many across the spectrum view Antifa as hero's, majority really believe tyrants like Hitler should have been locked up or assasinated before he could lie his way to33% & crush democracy. They are carrying out a tradition made by churchill,hemingway& Orwell.
Speaking in the House of Commons in 1937, Churchill said "I will not pretend that, if I had to choose between communism and Nazism, I would choose communism"
make_at_least_a_favorable_reference_to_the_devil_in_the_House_of_Commons
night shift
GET OUT ON THE STREETS!!!
29.10.2009 15:08
Bash the fash
FAO Danny - State involvement in fascist groups
29.10.2009 15:40
In reference to your question at the beginning of this thread, in my personal opinion there is evidence of state involvement and manipulation of fascist groups, but I have not seen evidence of that extending to attacking progressive groups. Maybe others think different, I don't know.
Antifa member
Link
29.10.2009 16:15
Shandy
My final open air post
29.10.2009 17:17
You can take direct action without being involved with Antifa but it does help.
As for the flag waving UAF and hope not hate platoon there are some good people involved with both, but yes I agree their overall agenda is not quite right.
I am not sure if I am who you think I am but I will contact the aforementioned contact and see where it leads. But please please don't ask for a house visit again - you know the reply and it is not pleasant.
Deep behind enemy lines
"I used to shoot people like you"
29.10.2009 20:36
Just as fascists have no place in any other group, every other group must be mobilised against them, but especially the regiments who fought their Nazi forebears.
Danny
D.B.E.L.
30.10.2009 00:04
...
Too decentralised; too disorganised - so far
31.10.2009 02:36
By stating that they don't want people to join them, Antifa are rejecting all of these things. They are relying on spontaneity. They are assuming that individuals will suddenly set up groups on their own, that they will adopt the 'correct' tactics, and that they will have sufficient knowledge of the hundred things that a militant anti-fascist movement must be good at to succeed. It is asking too much.
If Antifa are going to have an impact they need to provide a lead. They need to come out of deep cover and suggest a few things, organise a few things, create something, other than a name. People go on anti-fascist demos these days and don't know where Antifa is, how to link up with it or what, if anything, it's doing. It's so underground that no-one can bleedin' find it!
And it's no good saying that YOU are Antifa and YOU decide what it does. That's utopian nonsense which will mean that 99% of anti-fascists WON'T be Antifa because too much is being asked of them at too early a stage. YOU who are already in Antifa are Antifa and it is YOU who have the responsibility to provide a real vehicle for your ideas and a realistic means of bringing in new people.
ALL anti-fascist activity is going to attract police attention. The trick is not to try and disappear, leaving only a website and a statement on view, but to be able to survive the attentions of the police while still providing a focus and an argument for militant activity; a physical and ideological counter-balance to those groups which Antifa criticises. A public profile does not preclude effective action against fascism any more than invisibility precludes arrest or imprisonment.
Direct action can be carried out by small or large groups, inspired by, even discussed by, but not officially organised by a public organisation. But without that organisation in the first place, many of those wishing to take direct action are left isolated, in the dark and vulnerable. People join a militant movement, then form direct action groups with people they get to know and trust, not the other way around.
In addition, invisibility leaves no roles for those who wish to provide the myriad functions an effective movement needs. Where are the intelligence-gatherers, the researchers, the spotters, the drivers, the writers, the bloggers, the ideologues, the printers, the bands, the legal advisors, the prison visitors, the flyposters, the leafleters, the first-aiders, the fund-raisers, etc supposed to go? How are they to be co-ordinated in support of direct action against fascism? 'No platform' is an idea, as well as a tactic. It needs something public to argue for it, explain it, promote it and organise around it.
Antifa will be judged on how well it does AFA's old job in changed times.
Anti-fascist pensioner
Surely one answers their own questions and points...
01.11.2009 09:59
The reason AFA no longer exist is because times changed. Antifa are not some sort of replacement and have no intention of being judged doing 'AFA's old job'.
Different times, different organisation.
Anarkite
Too decentralised; too disroganised - so far
01.11.2009 13:55
Anti-fascist pensioner
Get involved
02.11.2009 15:26
Antifa activist
Just do it
11.01.2010 15:54
steve
steveisscum
e-mail:
swellbelly@hotmail.co.uk