Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance: Closing Statement

Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance | 13.12.2011 21:27 | Anti-racism

After two years Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance is to call it a day.

Manchester Anti-Fascist Action: Closing Statement.
After much discussion, Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance is to be closed down as an organisation. This is not because, as individuals, we believe that fascism is not a threat to the working class of Greater Manchester. It is because we believe that, after around two and a half years, the exiting MAFA structure and focus is unable to carry on organising and politicising working class people in Greater Manchester. Our original aims to combat fascism ideologically and physically has been made redundant by: a split and divided English Defence League and a retreating British National Party. The tactics to combat fascism and continue politicising working class people must change.

We are proud of our achievements. We are proud that we brought together dozens of anti-fascists of different political backgrounds. We are proud that we stemmed the rise of the BNP in Salford to the extent that they were scared to have stalls in certain areas. We are proud that we brought to the attention of working class people in Greater Manchester that the BNP does not represent working class interests. We are proud that the EDL never managed to gain a foothold in Salford and south Manchester. We are proud of all our achievements.

The political scene has changed dramatically since the summer of 2009 particularly since the riots in August. Electorally the BNP were achieving impressive results now they are split, financially crippled and have had their electoral bases smashed. The EDL initially having large numbers on their demonstrations have had their numbers dwindle; the split of the more hard-core racists, the Infidels, have been proved wanting when their first demonstration drew mere dozens. Now the EDL have signed up with an obscure and political nobodies: the British Freedom Party; prompting more division. Just as the political
environment changes so must those trying to defend, organise and politicise the working class. The changes in the situation regarding the far-right, the post-riot changes in policing and civil justice and the assault on the working class from the Tory-Lib Dem government requires we change too. Individuals associated with MAFA will, separately, continue to defend, organise and politicise the working class in new and existing organisations.

No Retreat

Fat Lad

Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance

Comments

Hide the following 45 comments

IWCA

13.12.2011 22:42

Heard its down to the IWCA

toerag

IWCA

13.12.2011 22:49

Heard wrong.

Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance

Not so

14.12.2011 03:13

Think youll ffind some truth in toerags post..Caused an internal rift.

tubbydecker

Poor show

14.12.2011 13:02

Sorry boys n girls, but with that sort of staying power you've only proved those of us who thought you had a bit of a cheek taking on the mantle of Manchester AFA correct. Why not simply disappear quietly rather than give the fash something to celebrate?

You always seemed a bit of a politically confused bunch, and your achievements don't actually extend much beyond a fair bit of posturing and the production of an overly glossy leaflet. And of course it was your posturing that got you into hot water on urban 75 (and elsewhere) when following the cowardly behaviour of some of your members when faced with an EDL attack on an Oppressed gig, you did your best to get some other antifascists nicked. Doubt you'll be greatly missed.

Hulme Mungous

classic guff from indymedia tossers

14.12.2011 17:38

who are you "hulme mongous" lol
one of them top 'ex-AFA' types that havent done fuck all but whinge on the internet for the past 15 years? mafa disbanding had nowt to do with IWCA and your obvs living in the past if you think it makes a slightest bit of difference what the IWCA thought of MAFA.

oh and stop treating urban 75 like its some don forum and all, only 1 MAFA activist had an account and got into no arguments at all, as if it fucking matters. if you didnt think MAFA activists had 'staying power' then do better or do one

alek

IWCA

14.12.2011 18:05

I don't want to treat the IWCA claims as serious but just to put it to bed for everyone else. IWCA had nothing to do with it.

Manchester Anti-Fascist Alliance

AFA

14.12.2011 18:09

Who are you to call it cheek Hulme? We never took the mantle. In fact most, at the beginning, had little idea of who the AFA were and what they were about.

Alpha

Bit late in the day for fisticuffs MAEA

14.12.2011 19:08

Alek - Oh the arrogance of youth. Yes, ex AFA and still very much involved ta - unlike you who've done fuck all and now think you can retire on your 'laurels'. Lets be honest lad, you were a fucking joke. And I've said nothing about the IWCA. As for the Oppressed gig, as you well know the MAFA contingent shat their pants when some EDL turned up and le and left it to some "ex AFA types" to sort out. Then you gobbed off all over the internet as if you'd got stuck in, and were so loose-lipped that you put people in serious danger of getting nicked. Lot of mouth, no trousers.

Hulme Mungous
mail e-mail: .

yorkie troll?

14.12.2011 22:00

the mafa contingent didnt arrive at Leeds til well after that. The only people there from west of the pennines when it kicked off were a 17 yr old lad and his mrs who had kindly offered to set up a stall. Thats it, a few folk arrived hours later. most ppl arent into punk round here and didnt go. What was on the blog, and removed, was in the public domain, blame the source it was copied and pasted from.
Where are you from, Leeds?I wouldnt compare the 2 cities if i were you lad, not in your favour. How would you know anything about what MAFA had achieved or who was involved? You wouldnt, as people arent in the habit of dry snitching on themselves on the net. Petty sniping isnt what good antifascists should be doing, and the only posturing ever seen has come from middle aged anonymous men on the net

manc 161

More cheek

15.12.2011 00:13

It's bad enough to be accused of being a "troll", but a "yorky troll"?! What a lot of gibberish your post is. Don't know why you'd think I was from Leeds, care to elaborate? If I was, why would I give a fuck about what you call yourselves, why would anyone in Leeds (in particular) even care? The gig I was referring to was in Leeds, but plenty of people on both side of the Pennines, and elsewhere, know about what happened that day, and your stupid spluttering on the internet is a matter of public record. For a daft bunch of kids who never achieved anything and have publicly thrown io the towel you're very combatitive all of a sudden. What a shame you couldn't go the distance with the fash. Still, nobody ever accused 'MAFA' of not being able to talk a good fight.

Hulme Mungous

Ha

15.12.2011 01:38

Who are you to talk Hulme! lol. On whos behalf are you speakin on?

Get to fuck

Easter

explanation please

15.12.2011 09:28

In my humble opinion groups usually splt for a mix of personal/ ploitical reasons. The conditions for MAFA forming really havn't changed since forming ..yeah the EDL have split and demo numberrs are down but for Lefties the increasing physical attacks are a worrying sign , the BNP maybe in termoil but are still very very strong in alot of working class communities in the North .Packing it in for whatever reason and dressing it up as a victory speech is tad hollow to put it nicely,It reminds me in a way of the SWP stating that there was no fascist threat while they were being battered all over the place , Are the comments about a Manc IWCA off the mark ? doesnt really matter if thats the way MAFA activists want to go but less of the brow beating about how much influence MFA have had would be a more humble approach and probaably piss off less people .what will it be then lads ? Dennis 'C' laughing in his pint or Steve 'T' choking in his daily pie ?

Confused of Chorley

IWCA

15.12.2011 09:35

Hulme mungous is a middle aged above mentioned shit stirrer. Ignore him. From waht I gather maybe all that was wrong was over enthusiasm and a bit of naievity. Other people have gone down for that. Learn from it.

psBut keep onto Tumulty hes a Redwatch agent

sussed out

Nothing has changed

15.12.2011 10:03

I very much agree with the comments of Confused of Chorley, I don't know why the MAFA group have decided to call it a day, but please don't tell us that there is no longer a need for active antifascist groups because that is not only untrue, it is dangerous. The last time I met MAFA activists you still seemed to be finding your feet, if the project hasn't worked for whatever reason, please just call it a day rather than subject us to a self-justifying and dishonest salute to a false 'victory' which undermines the work of other antifascists, particularly in the Manchester area.

Antifascist

re-read it

15.12.2011 11:07

The statement doesnt say theres no threat, it says people are continuing in new and existing organisations which are/will be more fit for purpose. The group accomplished as much as possible its goals in specific areas where it had a base such as salford, some reasons may not be publishable (and not necessarily in a negative manner). People move on and new people fill their place in the movement, the same goes for orgs. The IWCA talk is completely irrelevant.

salford

Better politics please

15.12.2011 11:30

What has the perceived age of your detractors got to do with anything MAFA? Ageism runs through this whole thread. You really ought to develop better politics.

anarchist

Moving on

15.12.2011 12:53

In my experience, over the past 15 years, when antifascists they have NOT been replaced. At several antifascist conferences I've been to in the last 5 years or so the average age has been around 35. It's a shame about Mancs AFA because some of us had seen you as the younger generation coming through and had hoped that WE could retire. Hopefully some of you will continue as antifascists.

Antifascist

mafa'd

15.12.2011 13:30

Looks like Mafa wanted an instant antifa euro style and dived into it way too quick and not intelligently enough. Too much enthusiasm and adolescent testosterone..but were right to fuck off Clifford and his IWCA cronies who would have questioning your anti racism. Or as has been mooted some have fallen in with the middle aged gang who cease fired out of the streets when they realised they probably were a wee bit racist. At least when Tilzey and Im no admirer of Searchlight spoke at its launch meeting he said things had to be done differently... not that they shouldnt be done at all.

me old china

Confusion

15.12.2011 17:35

I think there has been confusion. We recognise there is still a fascist threat to the working class; and will be for decades perhaps.

What is meant is that the structure of MAFA was not longer relevant or workable in the new political times. Things have to change. This was that time.

I don't know why people are criticising because they can go do what they think we did wrong. Nothings stopping you.

Also the talk of the past and the IWCA is totally irrelevant. Whilst we appreciated the input of ex-AFA they had no sway over the decision to close it and weren't even consulted. MAFA was our own project; no one elses.

Anyone want to carry on or learn from our mistakes then go right a head. We're not stopping you.

Rush'd

Clarification

15.12.2011 17:40

No one was 'fucked off' at all. All the old timers input was valued.

All this posturing is laughable. The only people who knows what the real score is are those in MAFA. So anyone making these bizarre suggestions such as the IWCA split it, we fucked the IWCA off do not know what they're talking about because they weren't involved.

Constructive criticism is welcome. Because maybe it will help anyone wanting to similar things to the AFA.

Rush'd

Poor Analysis

15.12.2011 17:46

Bad news when members of Stormfront are better at analysing the statement than people on here lol!

The Messenger

fascist attacks

15.12.2011 17:56

There are fascist attacks on the left and they do seem to have increased particularly on the swp and the occupy movement.

However MAFA could not be the personal security guards of the swp although we did mobilise to protect them on occasion. Further it doesn't help when swp are grassing you up to the filth.

The occupy movement in manchester never came under attack.

Organisations have to be prepared to defend themselves physically. As for the swp: fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. The swp should have learnt by now.

The offensive fascist violence now is no where near comparable to that when the afa was operating.

Alpha

The Leeds Oppressed gig

15.12.2011 18:39

What actually happened is that 30 EDL tried to storm the gig, but a local antifascist stepped in to repel them. Later, the shyster who had put on the gig posted up something very stupid on his Facebook page, which could have got people nicked. He was told to take it down, but not before MAFA had spread it all over the internet. Now the idiot from Leeds is just a fucking scam merchant, no politics other than a pound note, but MAFA passed themselves off as antifascists, so why did they do something so blatantly stupid, practically grassing up antifascist comrades? Pretty shit, but mistakes sometimes get made. But then to try and twist the truth now? I'd say antifascism is well shot of you to be honest.

Wobbly Bob

This could be an interesting discussion

15.12.2011 18:58

Share your opinions and practical analysis RE the SWP Alpha.

Helpful post Rush'd, but is it possible to say more about why the structure of MAFA was no longer relevant and what has changed for antifascists generally?

Interested

Searchlight

15.12.2011 19:20

Is that right that Tilzey spoke at the MAFA launch? A good antifascist in his day but 100% Searchlight and a controversial figure in his own right. Was inviting Tilzey simply naivity on MAFA's part or were they allied to Searchlight?

tilzey etc.

15.12.2011 19:58

tilzey has nothing to do with Searchlight crew for a long time now. And he is still firmly commited to antifascist ideas.

antifascist

Analysis

15.12.2011 20:01

Never had any contact with this group, but the analysis of the far-right in that statement is absolute rubbish. Groups often don't work out, but you can't just make stuff up for the sake of saving face. It is terribly irresponsible to be dismissing the BNP and EDL in the way this statement does.

T.S.

What a track record!

15.12.2011 22:09

Way to go MAFA! Sorry ex MAFA!

LOL!

RE: TS

15.12.2011 22:10

Its a manchester based group and is only commenting on the situation there, in the areas where they had a base there is now very little to oppose, plus the question of what fills the void in the future. noone is saying give up opposing fascists, its one group that has closed, it doesnt mean antifascism will or should stop, its one group in one area that is moribund atm. Some projects require time limits

re: wobbly ob - that post was put up by one person and then taken down when requested, nothing can be done about it now unfortunately and when someone said there was a contingent present from manc when the gig was attacked is not true

One thing that should be discussed on this thread is the amount of antifascists who are clearly not UAF, yet there are few AF groups around the country, should a new network be started?

macky

Leeds gig

16.12.2011 01:15

Not having a go or anything, but I was at that gig when it was attacked and there were some MAFA comrades there already. They had put up a banner and set up a stall, there were just a few of them 2 or 3 maybe, but later there was more. I didn't see the start of what happened with the edl as I was in the gig room. After me and my mate ran into the main part of the pub a window or two got smashed by retreating edl. The MAFA people seemed a bit oblivious to it all really and just sat behined the stall, in fact some blokes had to tell them to move as the window behind them was about to get a stone through it. They seemed like nice people, just a bit suprised by what had happened I think. The bloke who put the gig on is a right liar, my mate is in one of the bands and they played for free cos he told them it was a benefit when it wasn't.

Archie

correction

16.12.2011 08:05

Tilzeys formal relationship with Searchlight ended in 1994 due to his refusal to stop associating with certain organisations and his refusal to toe the party line but he kept on terms with them. Hear his speech at the No Retreat Bristol indymedia event in 2009. He spoke at our launch and hes well liked and respected but due to his other commitments didnt take an active part in Mafa though he supported us. The IWCA lot did not have any influence on us. Infact Ive heard they made right cunts of themselves recently on Urban 75 when they attempted to out a guy as a grass to us at a MAFA meetingg and then shit themselves when they found out his antecedents. Tilzey had little to do with Mafa but we dont take the shit about him. Hes solid guy and the personal shit is bang out of order.

cruet set

Searchlight

16.12.2011 09:42

No time for the IWCA, but why would anyone maintain any relationship at all with Searchlight, they are poison? Reading between the lines, you do seem to have had your work cut out with MAFA, perhaps all the baggage from the past is why Manchester was without an antifascist group for so long. Shame It didn't work out, but hopefully you've learned a few things for the future.

Bill

Mafa

16.12.2011 11:48

Mafa seemed an odd mix of anarchists n trots, not surprised they've fallen out. Not sure it needed an announcement tho, just gives the bnp,edl,nf a laff.

Anarcho

pinch of salt

16.12.2011 16:48

Lot of people of here claiming to have been involved and stirring up trouble or rumours. The group had nowt to do with anything searchlight affiliated. lol @ tumulty pretending to be people the guys a loon

Disclaimer

tumulty

16.12.2011 19:55

Redwatch agent....so what Salford BNP so's leaky their queing up to grass each other.

doggo

nwn

17.12.2011 08:32

Jones is behind northwestnationalists together with Pete Barker. Both washed up old fascists. They will remember the batterings they got from the old squad. The NF were a threat then,. The BNP tossers today in the area today I wouldnt worry about with clowns like Tumulty and Fairhurst. The EDL are football yobbos, more concerned with beer and cocaine and a punch up.It looks rosy for Manchester imo.

manc man

record straightener

17.12.2011 18:41

Their is no Manchester IWCA..its one man and his dog..whose precise track record is campaigning to have a mobile mast removed 10 + years ago ffs. So talk of them taking over MAFA is bollocks. So is it being a Searchlight run show. Tilzey spoke at the launch. That was his only input.

nah nah

washed up losers

18.12.2011 11:21

Listen old-timers, as much as you'd like to be in Dad's Army. Things have changed.
We've got a thing called technology - heard of the internet. I'm sick of the old guard trying to act like the hard men going on about the good ol' days. Who cares?! None of you actually did anything useful. More just stood at the bar with bear in hand being hard when a fascist walked in. Well done - have a cookie. Meanwhile in the real world outside of a pub stuff is going on

wooden spoon

Now that is hard!

18.12.2011 11:29

"More just stood at the bar with bear in hand being hard"

bear amused

Hard act to folow

18.12.2011 21:31

I wouldn't like to take on someone who could hold a Bear in his hand...even if he was an old codger like me self

confused of chorley

bear = beer

19.12.2011 02:20

lol confused!?

i think it is a mis-type, its meant to be 'beer'
dumbass. not exactly difficult to work out, but there you go.
(apologise if your 1st language isn't english)

AFA

FAO AFA ...get a sense of humour

19.12.2011 21:37

If you'd been involved in AFA you must have had a sense of humour at some point , maybe all the sitting in the backs of shitty old transits /Sherpa vans [ think it was Boltons ] has knocked it out of you pal , regards Old codger with good grasp of the English language

confused of chorley

Press the advantage

20.12.2011 21:48

I agree with Confused of Chorley - and actually that mention of the SWP made me wonder if the Trots & social democrats in MAFA decided to shut it down unilaterally because they were concerned anarchism was becoming too influential in it and through it.

Even if fascism was entirely on the retreat it's not a reason to demobilise, we need to press the advantage by taking on institutional racism in the form of border controls, media racism & the exploitation of migrant workers, and casual racism. Here's a start

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-deportation-of-yidnek-haile-to-prison-in-ethiopia.html

Alison
mail e-mail: alanstevenson@hotmail.co.uk

border controls arnt racist

21.12.2011 20:31

Im no racist, but i never understood what the problem is with border controls?

migrant

Bollocks.

22.12.2011 22:57

For a start, the Leeds lot shouting there mouth off should really consider that whilst you gig got attacked, we've held a few gigs and very public meeting without a sniff from fash. That in itself implies to me you should spend less time bitching behind computer screens and more time sorting out your own city.
Secondly, theres no suggestion fo 'false victories' or 'retiring on your laurels' I expect most of the core lads are going to be involved in various Antifascist/Lefty stuff from now on. The problem really is not the group but the context. With massive increases in CCTV/police survelliance/proactive policing the political terrorism (which, thats what AFA was essentially, and before anyone gets offended I mean that in an admiring sense, AFA achieved a huge amount during the old days) employed in the 80's is much more difficult and much riskier. With the local BNP cowed in terms of actual stalls, public meetings etc, and the EDL falling apart, there is not much to fight in Manchester. Certainly nothing compared the the NF marches of 30 years ago. The problems are much deeper, cultural issues throughout most of the working class, rather than hardened groups of fascists. As such, a dozen or so lads are not in much of a position to change that staying in the semi-clandestine militant antifascism format.
Finally, @ Alison, well where can I start. Who did you turn to when that Vinnie BNP twat was threatening you? Ingrateful little sod. And secondly 'wonder if the Trots & social democrats in MAFA decided to shut it down unilaterally because they were concerned anarchism was becoming too influential in it and through it' ??? You must be taking the piss, firstly, I fail to see an influential anarchist bloc in MAFA. All this shite and the bollocks about the IWCA is complete bullshit, and instead off speculating and mouthing off snide insinuations about something you know very little about why dont you, instead of calling on us to sort the Manchester fash out for you, why dont you get off your fucking laptop and do something.

Grunt