We'll go along with that...
Over 200 anti-fascists gathered in Blackpool today to protest at the British National Party holding their conference at the resort. Protesters came from Blackpool, Lancaster, Barrow, Preston, Manchester and Liverpool, and included students and trades unionists.
Speakers included Weyman Bennett: Joint Secretary UAF, Ruquayyah Collector: Black Students' Officer NUS, Alec McFadden: North West TUC, Pete Marsden: Blackpool Unison, Mark Barker: Vice-Chair Regional PCS, Paul Jenkins: Barrow and South Cumbria UAF and Mike Killian: Manchester UAF.
Following the gathering at the entrance of the Winter Gardens, marred only by three sieg-heiling idiots in masks, the crowd marched through the town centre, distributing leaflets en route, to the New Kimberley, the hotel hosting the conference, the location of which we had already confirmed thanks to a bit of co-operation between the press and UAF.
We spoke to the BBC who had just left the Kimberley after interviewing Nick Griffin inside the venue, who informed us that total attendance of the conference appeared to be around 50-60 people including security - a far cry from the 5-600 the BNP claimed would be there. The promised counter-demonstration never materialised, unless you count the three morons already mentioned or the small group photographing us (no doubt for Redwatch) in the town centre who literally ran away as soon as the police showed an interest in them.
A restaurant-owner who had come to see what all the fuss was about as we marched to the New Kimberley was horrified to hear that the BNP was meeting in Blackpool. He offered free teas and the use of his facilities to all the protestors - an offer which we gratefully accepted after a few hours in the wind and rain.
We held our rally directly in front of the BNP's hotel, with more speeches and an awful lot of shouting as the BNP security watched us nervously from the foyer and trainee BNP-councillors made rude gestures from the windows or peeped around curtains at us.
Despite numerous appeals from leaders of Blackpool City Council for hotels to deny the BNP a venue in the town, and warnings that unions would boycott any venue that provided the BNP with space for any reason, the management of the New Kimberley decided to go for short-term gain and accomodate the fascists. They'll soon find this backfiring on them as UAF and trades unionists are beginning an immediate campaign to place a permanent boycott on the hotel - and any other hotel - that provided space for the BNP.
If you wish to make a complaint direct to the New Kimberley Hotel, you can do so by ringing 01253 341184, faxing them at 01253 408737 or writing to them at 585-589 New South Promenade, Blackpool FY4 1NQ. Curiously, for all its much-vaunted two-stars, it can't rustle up an email address.
We'd be interested in finding out who owns this fascist-friendly B&B so if you know, please share your information with us by emailing
lancaster.uaf@zen.co.uk
http://www.ukhotel.com/north-west-england/the-new-kimberley-hotel.htm 
Homepage:
Comments
Hide the following 10 comments
Master Race?
25.11.2006 21:27
Here's a report of the demo...
Anti Fascist Demo Blackpool
I have just reurned from the anti fascist demonstration in Blackpool, called because the bnp were holding what they claimed was a "national conference". The venue of their "conference" the Kimberley Hotel - Blackpool was kept a closely guarded secret. A demonstration called by local Trades Councils, Student Unions, and UAF was held in the Town Centre. There was a lively gathering, speakers, and leafletting. It was heartening to see the rednblack flags flying amongst the usual UAF placards.
The venue of the fascist "conference" was inevitably leaked and we set off to confront the bnp. A small group of people arrived before the main body of the march. At that point the venue was left reasonably easy to get to, with a very small police presence being some distance away. The small group of anti fascist exchanged unpleasantaries with the bnp security scum guarding their pathetic gathering at the doorway of the hotel. Eventually the fascists called the police and asked them to move us away. The police quoted Public Order Section 60, and advised anti fascists to remove head scarves, but with little success. (Though two female anti fascists were picked on by the police, pushed around, searched, and photographed.)
After a short time around 250 people from the Town Centre demo arrived outside the Kimberley Hotel and the fascists inside were forced to lock themselves in, and scuttle away from the windows, and doorways. The demo was noisy with the usual chants aimed at the fascist scum inside. The anti fascists outnumbered the bnp "delegates" by quite a margin. Only about 50 delegates managed to join Nick Griffin, and Blackpool bnp organiser Roy Greenwood, at this poor excuse for a national conference! The only shame is that the whole event wasn't shut down by militant anti fascism.
We should now take the anti fascist struggle back into our own communities. We can't afford simply to react to them standing in a local election in Decemeber. We need to build community resistance to the politics of the bnp here, and now. We also need to make sure the promised NUS position of "No Platform" is applied to bnp member and Lancaster University employee, Chris Hill. The struggle against fascism doesn't begin or end by voting labour at elections. After all new labour politicians must take a big slice of the blame for creating a climate of islamophobia and anti immigration prejudice which has allowed the bnp to grow. The fight against fascism will be won in our communities, workplaces, and on the streets.
Blackpool Dave
Nice photo's...
25.11.2006 23:11
That New Kimberley looks a bit of a rathole. Just about right for the people in there today.
Lancaster UAF
Homepage:
http://82.69.12.18/lancasteruafblog/
No objection
25.11.2006 23:41
Hi res versions available if you let me know where to upload them.
seasider
Well done
26.11.2006 00:51
Jo
A good Laugh
26.11.2006 22:22
They go to great lengths to avoid the counter demonstrators finding the location of the event, dismissing hundreds of their own members from attendance to maintain security, only to allow the BBC, the very people who have just had the top 2 muppets in court access to the location .
What did they expect, a interview with the head henchman on the 9 o clock news ?
Well done to the guys at the BBC for shouting over the venue, what did collet say BNP 2 BBC 0 ..
Well then its 2-1 now muppets !!!
Delta News
Free speech
26.11.2006 23:41
When public funding of political parties comes in, as Blair and his party wants, some of your tax cash will go to the BNP. Think on that, and campaign against tax funding of political parties.
simon
hypocrites
27.11.2006 12:41
I think the UAF should unite against itself as it is claerly a FACIST anti Free Speech, anti Freedom of Assocation organisation which behaves like Hitlers Brown Shirts. No surprise as so much funding comes from the War Mongoerer Blairs chums. If the BNP did'nt exist im sure the UAF would be harrasing normal people in teh street becuase they were not wearing the red star a symbol of oppression..
If the UAF hate the BNP why can they not stand in an election or is it so few people would vote for them as the majority don't belive in the lies and state funded misinformation/opression they keep spreading.
joel bernstein
freedom?
03.12.2006 22:01
do you moan when the islamic respect party have a meeting or labour the most totalitarian regime this nation has ever known?
cultural marxism or it's acceptable name p.c. has brainwashed too many into believing everything they hear!
Thank you!
SHIELA
e-mail:
SHIELAKENNEDY@AOL.CO
Crush The Hitler Worship Rabble
17.12.2006 13:46
They are not a political party.
The losers will be crushed.
Hitler's Bunker Busters
More Trolls Than A Fjord
06.01.2007 23:19
You're so sad!!!
GANDALF THE TROLL SLAYER