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This is what effective antifascism looks like!

Bristol antifascists | 25.04.2012 08:55

Bristol antifascists, still buzzing from the huge success of the cracking antiracist gig the night before in Bristol, joined the opposition to the nationalist March for England in Brighton on Sunday 22nd April. This march is about fascists taking to the streets to air their racist, bigotted views under the guise of “national pride”. They complain that Brighton is a city of “reds” and speak of the need to target left wing organisations and others they see as “anti English”. Other than that, they don't really have much to say for themselves

Well, it wasn't a big day for fascism in Brighton. Hundreds of people from Brighton and beyond took to the streets to disrupt, harrass and attack the fascist demonstration. With people lining Queen's Road clearly preparing to block the street, police took a very long time to get the necessary numbers in to try to keep people on the pavements, delaying the start of the march for a long time. As soon as the march left the station and entered Queens' Road, people decided the pavement was not the place to be and were quickly on the road, defying police orders to stay back. The police were, as always, intent on forcing the fascist demonstration through, protecting free speech and the right to protest for fascists with their habitual violence against antifascists and anyone who gets in their way or questions their authority.

But for all their attacks with fists, batons, cs spray and horses the antifascists remained absolutely solid, blocking the road continously in waves with banners, barricades and sheer courage and determination. The sonic weaponry provided by a mobile punk sound system kept us bouncing, buzzing and battle ready, boosting morale with some street fightng classics of rebellion and resistance! There was little of the usual separation between members of Unite Against Fascism and militant antifascists and both joined forces to make sure that the chant of “Whose streets, our streets” was more than just a slogan. We meant it. The solidarity on the street was impressive and we knew from early on that the day was ours. This was what effective, militant anti fascism looks like!

Under such pressure and constantly losing control the police re-routed the fascist march cutting it short by 2/3 of it's intended route. All the way along their sorry trajectory of shame the fascists were ridiculed, abused and attacked. The bigots tried to put on a brave face but their frustration and humiliation was clearly the only thing on display. Throughout the embarrassing spectacle the looks on their faces gave the distinct impression that they just wanted to get out and go home. Understandable. A few fascists holed up in a pub near the sea front were confronted and quickly dealt with.

As a final insult their rally point was occupied by hundreds of antifascists, showing the extent of the odds against them. There were no fascist speeches today and when asked what they had to say for themselves there was quite literally nothing. Instead they found themselves on the receiving end of plenty of loud and angry antifascist chanting. After a walk of shame to the train station, still under heavy police protection and relentless ridicule from hundreds of counter demonstrators and passers by joining in, the fascists skulked off to their trains. Next stop internal conflict and collapse. The scores for the weekend: Antifascists 2 Fascists 0!

Antifascists, remaining vigilant, with a few straggling boneheads under the watchful eye of our spotters, retired for a well earned drink at the pub shortly followed for many by a celebratory gig as part of Brighton punk's picnic. We knew we had done the job and done it well. Our burns from CS gas, bruises from batons were insignificant compared to the battered confidence suffered by the fascists today.

The March for England organisers would do well to call it a day at this point. Let's see if, after such a level of disorder and opposition, the cops agree to organise the protection of the fascists again in Brighton.

Brighton antifascists should be well proud of themselves for setting such a good example and for all their hard work and organisation. It certainly made us proud to be part of such an effective opposition to the far right and we have massive respect for all who were involved.

We intend to return the favour by helping to organise a militant, effective and overwhelming response to the planned EDL march in Bristol on July 14th. We invite antifascists everywhere to our city to help give them the welcome they deserve. Zero tolerance of fascism in our city. We will stop them.

Related Link:  http://brightonantifascists.wordpress.com/

Bristol antifascists
- Original article on IMC Bristol: http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/708478

Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

MFE

25.04.2012 14:36

How is MFE a Fascist group? And have you provided any evidence that they are racist? Basically you have shown yourselves to be against free-speech.

Mc


Is the Pope Catholic?

25.04.2012 19:16

I have been there to witness the last few "Marches for England" in Brighton. The marchers shouted racial abuse to anyone who looked "foreign", and also sang racist chants, including "Where's you camel gone?" and "You're not English!!". I don't see how this kind of thing can be somehow twisted round so as to make out they are not in fact racist. Please explain.

Fascists are in favour of:
* war/the army
* police
* the nation/the flag
* racial/ethnic purity
* the church/religion

Fascists are not in favour of:
* foreigners
* other religions
* anyone left of them

I would say the MfE is the closest thing we have to fascism, at least here in Brighton. Free speech does not extend to racial abuse.

Brighton resident


Here's how the March for England is Fascist...

25.04.2012 19:59

Bill Baker - "sooner we start killing Muslims the better & their socialist pals"
Bill Baker - "sooner we start killing Muslims the better & their socialist pals"

March for England - Nazi salute
March for England - Nazi salute

... because it's organised by BNP Essex member Bill Baker, a man who publicly advocated nuclear war against Muslims and - BEFORE Anders Breivik - called for the indiscriminate murder of socialists

And because the last time the March for England came to Brighton they made Nazi salutes...
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel-eight/4946478596/sizes/l/in/photostream/

(photo by Pixel-Eight)

Dawn Patrol


Yep, they're Fascists

25.04.2012 20:27

March for England on Nazi web forum
March for England on Nazi web forum

Bill Baker - March for England
Bill Baker - March for England

Image 1 - Post from Nazi web forum Stormfront the day before the March For England, discussing how "Anti-Fascist Losers Threaten Brighton Patriots March".

A Stormfront Nazi called "Falcon" confirms he'll be meeting other Stormfront users at the March For England, and confirms the MFE march will also include Nazis from groups like the League of St George, BNP splinter-group the England First Party and the openly Nazi British Movement (note the London Class War group he thinks will make up the opposition in fact ceased to exist some years ago)

Image 2 - Bill Baker in Brighton on Sunday (left of photo, wearing glasses)

The Signalman


March for England are Nazis because...

25.04.2012 21:33

March for England are Nazis because dozens of photos of the Anti-Fascist counter-protest in Brighton have been posted on the Nazi hit-list website REDWATCH, saying for "MORE INFO' NEEDED ON THESE BASTARDS NOW!" (sic)

Redwatch says "These pieces of human shit threw bottles and bricks at the peaceful demonstration", omitting to mention it was the March for England / EDL who threw missiles first (watch the You Tube video for proof), and says "a young girl of ten hit in the face with a bottle" - in other words admitting that, having started the violence, the "brave" Nationalists used CHILDREN as HUMAN SHIELDS

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcJlrhcQQuM

Sean Bell


NAZI SALUTE IN BRIGHTON

25.04.2012 23:22

Nazi Salute (bottom left of photo)
Nazi Salute (bottom left of photo)

Typical bloody left-wing student ;)
Typical bloody left-wing student ;)

or maybe he was just was to his mam?!

Tess


or maybe he was just WAVING to his mam?!

26.04.2012 09:21

oops

T100