Counter-demonstration: Against Fascism, Against Fundamentalism

Let them taste the pavement | 12.06.2007 09:16 | Sheffield

Date: 15th June 2007
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Location: Downing Street

This Friday, 15th June, will see two factions take part in
demonstrations outside Downing Street. The first, organised on the theme
of "British Oppression", is a call for Muslims around the UK to
demonstrate against attacks by the British State on the Muslim
community. The second, organised through the Stormfront White
Nationalist forum in opposition, calls for the British people to stand
up against the supposed Islamist threat walking our streets.

In reality, the two factions represent two sides of the same coin. The
first, organised by a supporter of Omar Bakri Mohammed (founder of the
now-disbanded al-Muhajiroun, spokesperson for Osama bin Laden and
supporter of al-Qaeda), calls for the Muslim community to be separated
from the rest of British society. In their view, it is the obligation of
every Muslim to be opposed to the "ways of the infidel" (identified as
secularism, democracy, and free expression), and to fight for the
establishment of Sharia law.

Similarly, the fascists of Stormfront and other fascistic groups have as
their ultimate goal the complete eradication of all non-whites
from the UK, based on this very same notion - that those of different
races, different religions, different cultures are inescapably
distinct from and different to one another, leaving the only options as
"peaceful separation" or racial war.

Both sides ultimately hold the same goal and work from the same basis;
using violence and intimidation to create an authoritarian society of
impoverished and repressed working class people living in silence and
fear for the benefit of a few rich men. For both, social problems are
identified as exclusive to their particular group and a result of the
actions of the other. Police raids and media misrepresentation are
exclusive to "the Muslims" and are the fault of "the British" as a
collective whole. Similarly, unemployment and lack of housing are solely
problems of "the white majority" as a result of mass migration on the
part of the ever-changing "other". As such, they reinforce one another's
agendas, both ideologically by pursuing the same separatist goals, and
through propaganda by providing a concrete example to point to as
evidence of the impossibility of co-existence.

That the British state and mainstream media are currently targetting
Muslims is transparently true. However, when we divide ourselves into
closed-off communities of race, of religion, of nationality, pitting
ourselves against one another, we only reinforce the work of
the authorities by ensuring that the majority of our society remains
divided. The state which has reduced Iraq to rubble is the same
state which has decimated our health service, leaving all - black, white
or Asian; Muslim, Christian or atheist - to suffer. The media which
identifies every person of Muslim descent as a potential terrorist does
not hesitate to stereotype and attack the white working class as
innately violent, thuggish, uneducated and brutal.

It is in unity that we find our greatest strength. As such, it is
important for us - of whatever heritage - to reject those who would
spread division. On 15th June, two such groups converge, offering a
false ultimatum of support for one or the other. We stand together to
show that both sides have nothing to offer in the struggle for a free
and peaceful society.

For further information:
- "Muslims Rise Against British Oppression":