Love Newcastle, Hate Racism: 6 observations on the #NewcastleUnites demonstration

Yesterday's anti-racist demonstration in Newcastle was successful beyond the hopes of all of us involved in organising and promoting it. Now for some reflection.

1) It was a huge local demo. Vera Baird, police and crime commissioner, tweeted that we had 3000 while the Pegida rally was only 200. Even if some media reports (putting the racists at 400) are correct, the ratio in favour of anti-racists is massive. This is especially significant for Newcastle because just two years ago 2000 EDL supporters marched through our streets (greatly outnumbering us) a few days after the killing of Lee Rigby.

 

With the exception of 30 November 2011 - when we had a demo of nearly 10,000 by striking public sector workers - that makes it Tyneside's biggest local demonstration (on any issue) for decades. I am informed by Nigel Todd - a historian of Tyneside anti-fascism in the 1930s as well as a local councillor - that it was the biggest anti-racist or anti-fascist protest in Tyneside since 1934, possibly ever. It also received vastly more media coverage than any Newcastle protest I recall.

2) The turnout was also magnificently diverse. Hundreds of Geordie Muslims turned out, but the great majority on the demo were non-Muslims. It became a spectacular gesture of solidarity with Muslims facing racist hatred and Islamophobia, while also asserting our collective pride in being a multi-cultural city and a multi-cultural society.

 

The symbolism of starting the march outside the Tyneside Irish Centre end of Chinatown - nodding towards two historically immigrant communities in Newcastle simultaneously - was beautiful. The fact that St James' Park, home of the club that wears black and white and currently fields a number of Muslim players, was in the background made it perfect. And Muslim player Papiss Cisse scoring the winner for NUFC in the home game which took place later the same day was a fitting bonus.

 

3) The fact that it was Pegida's first attempt at demonstrating anywhere in the UK gave yesterday considerable significance. I was co-chairing the rally and I announced at the start that our primary aim for the day was to make sure this would be Pegida's last demonstration anywhere in the UK. It was Newcastle's responsibility to show that Pegida was isolated and stop it before it got started.

 

Pegida had deliberately chosen Newcastle because the group viewed it - from afar - as a soft target where they would meet little opposition. That was an insult and regarded as such by people in Newcastle. Pegida thought that the city having a small Muslim population compared to some British cities would give it a free pass, then the group - emboldened - would move on to Birmingham and London.

 

Our counter-demonstration was important because Pegida has (or had, prior to yesterday) the potential to become a 'respectable' vehicle for anti-Muslim street protest. To a certain extent the EDL succeeded with that project in its early days - when it could mobilise on a much greater scale than today - but it didn't achieve what Pegida managed with its huge Dresden rally. In the north east, the EDL and similar groups can mobilise their own hooligans but have been reduced to a very small and narrow base incapable of appealing to a wider constituency. So the stakes were high yesterday.

4) It is crucial that the demonstration was built on a much broader basis, however, than simply opposing the far right. The issue is racism. The issue is Islamophobia.

 

The demonstration was promoted with that in mind. The likes of Pegida and the EDL feed off mainstream Islamophobia in politics, media and the British state. The demonization of Muslims, with a whole set of apparently 'respectable' prejudices and stereotypes, has flourished since 2001, when the 'war on terror' (and British participation in it) began.

 

At the same time, anti-immigrant rhetoric poisons establishment politics, often diverting popular anger away from the real enemies: the bankers, their politicians, and the savage cuts those politicians continue to impose on millions of working class people. The Newcastle Unites demonstration was an expression of opposition to all of that, and reflected the widespread yearning for a principled anti-racist political culture.

 

5) Unity always has to be fought for. It doesn't happen naturally. In the run up to the day there were in fact more arguments and problems than you would normally expect - a sign that we were doing something right, pushing out into new ground and taking on arguments rather than shying away from them.

 

For example, Dipu Ahad (at the centre of organising the demo) had to persuade some of his fellow Labour councillors that George Galloway speaking shouldn't deter them, while also arguing with some in the Muslim community that local Labour politicians have a place on the platform despite the war in Iraq (and much else besides).

 

There were meetings with various Asian groups in Newcastle to persuade them to support and participate - almost none of which previously backed counter-demonstrations against the EDL, due to fear and insecurity or because they were cowed by the endless media and political rhetoric about Muslim communities. There was a concerted effort in the mosques, but also invitations to other faith groups to be part of it. An unprecedented number of trade unions got on board too, while groups not normally associated with protest (like Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service) pledged support. 

 

The coalition we built in the short period building up to the day was thus truly remarkable - and it was reflected in the diverse array of (22) speakers given space in the rally. Even the Lord Mayor of Newcastle turned up - and was added to the list of speakers. 

 

6) No such coalition can, however, be built in just a few weeks. It reflected a long-term process of co-operation among a number of political and campaigning groups, crossing several boundaries.

 

Above all, it built on the legacy of anti-war and pro-Palestine campaigning. The majority of those involved in organising the demo worked together in organising last summer's series of local protests, marches and vigils for Gaza. There has been joint campaigning over war and Palestine on an on-going basis for some years.

 

What was true of the organisational core was also true more widely. I recognised a great many faces from last summer's protests against Israel's war on Gaza, or from other protests and public meetings organised by our local Stop the War Coalition or Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Such long-term activity has been especially important for building relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims, especially those of us on the organised left.

 

This is a precious coalition. We will need it again - whether against war, in opposition to racism, or in solidarity with Palestine.

 

Also see: my Counterfire article in the build-up to the demonstration

Share

International Brigades - 75th anniversary

Via Philosophy Football:

'This Saturday, 22 October, is the 75th anniversary of the Spanish Republic issuing the decree to recognise the International Brigades which were forming to join the defence of Spain's Land and Freedom. In a short period of time some 32,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries joined the Brigades.

Made by Sanum Ghafoor, Philosophy Football's film of the Gala to celebrate the 75th Anniversary features Billy Bragg, Robert Elms, Jackie Kay, Tayo Aluko, Grace Petrie, one of the last remaining International Brigaders David Lomon, and many others.

It is educative, entertaining and inspiring, a fitting way to mark the anniversary.

Plus! Philosophy Football's 75th Anniversary T-shirt design features the iconic solidarity poster designed by one of Catalonia's greatest artists.'

See HERE for the shirt.

Video by Sanum Ghafoor:



Share

Cable Street: they did not pass

Via Philosophy Football:

'Seventy-five years ago, on 4 October 1936, the people of the East End united to stop Sir Oswald Mosley's blackshirted British Union of Fascists from marching through their community. An estimated 100,000 gathered to prevent this parade of anti-semitic hate behind the slogan 'They shall not pass'.

After hours of confrontation, sometimes violent and centred on Cable Street, Mosley was forced to abandon his march. They did not pass!

Philosophy Football's design is based on the original 1936 street sign for Cable Street.'

Available from HERE
 
Share

BNP could split after Nick Griffin wins leadership by 9 votes

Former friends: Andrew Brons and Nick Griffin

While the BBC was, disgracefully, giving an EDL leader a platform on Newsnight, the corporation's website brought us something to smile about. It seems the divisions inside the British National Party run as deep as we thought. BBC News reports:

'Nick Griffin has been re-elected as leader of the British National Party, according to the party's website. It said he received 1,157 votes and his opponent, Andrew Brons MEP, received 1,148. Eleven papers were spoiled.

The website quoted Mr Griffin as saying the "time for division and disruption is over" and urging members of his party to "go forward together". In May, the BNP, which has been hit by divisions, lost many of the seats it held on local councils in England.'

June 2009 seems a long time ago. That's when two MEPs were elected from the BNP: Nick Griffin in the north west and Andrew Brons in Yorkshire and Humberside. The European Parliament elections marked a high point for the fascist party, following breakthroughs in local elections during the previous few years. Growing 'respectability' was symbolised by Griffin's infamous appearance on the BBC's Question Time.

In two rounds of local elections since then - last year and again this May - BNP support has fallen, with the party losing most of the seats it defended. Most spectacularly, the BNP lost all its 12 seats on Barking and Dagenham council in east London in May 2010. The party's activists were also disappointed by their general election results, feeding disaffection and division.

Since then the tensions have turned into open revolt, with Brons becoming a figurehead for those challenging Griffin's fuhrer status. The two MEPs have clashed publicly. Their party has also suffered a deep financial crisis, leaks of membership lists and embarrassing revelations about violent conduct by its members.

This has all been rather cheering for anti-fascists, whose activity opposing the BNP over many years helped prevent it getting more of a mainstream foothold. Defeats and disappointments for the fascists encouraged the divisions which now threaten to fragment it. Griffin's hope for an end to 'disruption and division' is likely to prove forlorn.

Share

Newcastle: uniting to stop racist EDL

We had a UK Uncut action planned for Newcastle yesterday, assembling at Grey's Monument (typically regarded as the city's central point) at midday. It was initiated at a local Coalition of Resistance open meeting which planned a number of things to do in the wake of the huge 26 March demo.

A number of other groups, ranging from Amnesty International to Revolutionary Communist Group, had decided to have stalls at the Monument, also from noon onwards, because it was feared racists and fascists might take St George's Day as an opportunity to gather there.

The idea was that a number of different groups all having simultaneous stalls and activities, plus a sound system, would ensure anti-racists retained the space if a rabble of racists turned up. Our plan was to go ahead with the UK Uncut tour - a positive antidote to racist hate, as well as being important in itself - but a couple of us would stay there on the Coalition of Resistance stall, and immediately call and ask everyone to return if the EDL showed up.

When I arrived at about 11.45 there were already 30 grim-looking National Front supporters on one side of the Monument, but we (and a couple of other groups) still started setting up our stalls. By 12.30 many more anti-racists had arrived, and the police ensured the NF kept their distance, so we decided to start the tour of tax-avoiding businesses and bailed-out banks.

Everyone was just about to set off from the COR stall - banner, placards and flyers at the ready - when a large group of EDL supporters suddenly arrived en masse. I'd estimate 80, but it's difficult to be sure. The police swiftly moved in to separate them from us. After momentary shock and disorientation, we all stood firm and started anti-racist chanting.

It was very tense, to begin with, but everyone stayed together and refused to budge. We obviously took the very quick decision that we needed to stay put, be part of defending the Monument from the racists, and re-arrange UK Uncut for a weekend in May. There was a tremendous sense of unity and we turned the tide against the assorted racists and fascists.



A stand-off continued for around an hour. Anti-racist numbers grew. We out-did the EDL hooligans in chanting, and the sound system kicked in with some reminders that our side has all the best tunes. The racists started to disperse, and looked rather miserable.

The EDL numbers were unexpectedly high. It was far from clear beforehand that there'd be any presence at all. But this shouldn''t be interpreted as evidence that the EDL is a growing threat - overall my impression is they have stalled, and may be in decline. It's obvious they chose St George's Day as a chance to make an impact and drew in some of their softer support.


Anti-racists protest EDL and National Front in Newcastle from William Lloyd on Vimeo.


It was clearly a frustrating and discouraging experience for them. We should take heart from that. But their mobilisation yesterday does indicate that something bigger and broader on our side is required next year (and may be needed before then).

We will need the organised left, anti-racist groups, the anti-cuts movement and trade unions all pulling together to create a powerful demonstration and festival of unity.

In the meantime, make sure you're on the May Day march and rally next Saturday - assemble 11am at Centre for Life, near Newcastle Central Station, marching to Exhibition Park for a rally against cuts, racism and war. I'll post details of the re-arranged UK Uncut action when I have them.

Share

From all 25 wards to zero: BNP collapses in Sunderland

Via Ross Robertson's report in the Sunderland Echo:

'THE British National Party appears to have been bowled out on Wearside after failing to field a single candidate in this year’s council elections.

In the past, the right-wing extremist party made Sunderland a key target, with previous elections having seen them stand candidates in every city ward.

But in the list of candidates for this year’s local elections, the party was conspicuous by its absence.

“I think it is a very good thing for the city,” said Sunderland Council leader Paul Watson.

“The BNP were rejected in 2004 and have been rejected ever since. I think it shows how astute the people of Sunderland are.”

Tory leader Tony Morrissey said the BNP had nothing to offer, and Independent leader Colin Wakefield said while there may be issues to tackle with immigration, the BNP’s way was certainly not the answer.

Lib Dem leader Paul Dixon added: “The BNP are not needed, not supported and not wanted in Sunderland.”

No one from the BNP was available for comment. The Echo understands North East organiser Ken Booth was sacked last year.'

Also see: BNP disappearance act

Share

BNP disappearance act

An appetising slice of local news via the South Shields Gazette (click on the link for full article). I imagine this will be of interest to anti-racists elsewhere too.

'FAR right political party the BNP will not field a single candidate in South Tyneside in May.

A spokesman for the party said the move was a political decision in a bid to persuade national leader Nick Griffin to stand down.

Martin Vaughan, fundholder for the party in South Tyneside, said the party was “finished” under Mr Griffin’s leadership.

The move comes despite the BNP standing candidates in all borough electoral wards up for grabs at last year’s local elections.

Rival parties in South Tyneside today expressed their delight at the announcement.'

Share

Philosophy Football's 'Hopemas' party

From Philosophy Football:

'Why Hopemas? Because the defeat of the BNP in Barking and the humiliation of their hateful leader, Nick Griffin, was one of the great signs of hope in 2010.

Philosophy Football's Hopemas Christmas party is on Friday 17 December and is generously sponsored by the PCS trade union. It's a fantastic line-up!

Featuring the superb poetry of Lemn Sissay . Performing a special version of her hit Edinburgh show 'Afroblighty' (on nationwide tour in 2011) the supremely talented comic Andi Osho. Rap mixed with comedy from Doc Brown opens the night. And filling the dancefloor into the early hours, music from the Melstars sound system.

With a review of the year from Clive Bloom, author of the hugely topical Violent London : 2000 Years of Riots, Rebels and Revolts , PCS National Executive Member Zita Holbourne, Zaiba Malik (author of the August R4 book of the week We are a Muslim,Please), Owen Hatherley (author of the recently published book A Guide to the New Ruins of Great Britain), and Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty.

Just a few handfuls of tickets left, just £8.99 and each ticket is a £5 OFF voucher on Philosophy Football shirts on the night, so if you combine the evening with your Christmas shopping the night costs less than a fiver.

At the brilliant theatre-pub The New Red Lion, 271 City Road London EC1V 1LA in Islington. Show starts 7pm.

Book either HERE or call 020 8802 3499.'
 
Share

Mobilising to stop the EDL

I've been ill and stuck indoors the last 2 or 3 days, which has meant missing not only a Eurovision party (I'd been designated Greece, with appropriate political topicality, as my country) but unfortunately also the anti-racist mobilisations greeting the EDL's visit to Newcastle. At least 1000 people turned out, and a local comrade and friend has written this report for Counterfire which I'm republishing here.

'At least 1000 trade unionists, LGBT activists, Muslims, anti-war campaigners, students and others turned out on the streets of Newcastle today to succesfully counter the racist English Defence League (EDL) march.

The 600-strong EDL march was kept to its Bigg Market march route through pressure from a 600-strong Unite Against Fascism (UAF) counter-march and a 100-plus mobilisation by North East Against Racism (NEAR). It was denied control of Grey's Monument (commonly regarded as the centre of Newcastle) by an anti-racist rally jointly organized by the TUC and Hope not Hate, which attracted at least a further 400 people.

The TUC, UAF and NEAR events were constituted mostly by local anti-racists. In contrast the EDL, a far right marching organization consisting of football hooligans and racists, had bussed in most of its marchers from around the country to allegedly campaign against “the spread of Islam and Islamic extremism”. I overheard a member of its 'Gateshead Division' stating to his friend “Its like a match day”.

The UAF march began at St James Park, home of Newcastle United, and proceeded to move through Newcastle city centre to passionate chants of “EDL, Off our Streets” and “When the EDL spread racist lies, We fight back and organize”.

Its climax was a rally at Newgate street, right next to the EDL march route, where UAF demonstrators cheered speeches from UAF, NUT, RMT and trades council speakers.

As Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of UAF, said, “we have trade unionists on our side who have a history of protecting workers rights. Who do the EDL have? Football hooligans, good at nothing but spreading hatred and violence”.

Josh and Rose, from near Berwick-upon-Tweed, caught the bus to attend the UAF demonstration and commented that it was “great to see this many people demonstrating against the EDL today” and said that they wanted to “see more people challenging racist views in their everyday lives”.

A group of local LGBT activists said the various counter marches, when added up, had resulted in a “good turnout ” of anti-racists, though one said it was "a shame about the separations between them.”

The marches all passed off peacefully, thanks in part to high quality stewarding by UAF and NEAR members. Police kept the anti-racists and EDL members separated at all times, without resorting to using the controversial 'kettling' tactics that provoked widespread condemnation on a number of previous occasions.'

N.B. No comments on this one, so don't even try! (anything on EDL and UAF attracts racists and sectarian loons alike).

Share

Griffin will go: a victory for anti-fascists

A short item of mine for Counterfire:

Nick Griffin has announced he will resign as leader of the British National Party by 2013. The announcement follows recent general and local election results which were a massive setback for the fascist BNP.

This means Griffin will no longer be BNP leader at the time of the next elections to the European Parliament - in 2014. Last June he was elected to the parliament from the North West of England. He is clearly hoping this will stave off dissent amongst his party's members, many of whom are currently unhappy about his leadership.

The BNP lost all 12 of its seats on Barking Council, in outer east London, despite Griffin declaring it the number one target for making gains. There were damaging losses elsewhere, including in the BNP's second target area of Stoke.

Griffin's own vote in Barking and Dagenham in the general election was under 15%, putting him in 3rd place. The scale of the losses, and failure to make a breakthrough anywhere, has prompted fierce infighting inside the BNP.

Griffin's own position has therefore become vulnerable. Previously credited with making the fascist organisation appear respectable - through pursuing an electoral strategy, posing as a legitimate mainstream politician and downplaying openly fascist sentiments - the shine has now worn off.

This is not an accident or a quirk of changing fashions on the far right. It is a symptom of the BNP's failure to retain council seats or make any breakthroughs at Westminster. Some in the BNP feel it may be time to ditch the 'respectability' strategy and turn increasingly to the streets.

Others draw the opposite conclusion: what's needed is a more respectable image, but Griffin's notoriety is an obstacle to them successfully presenting such an image. The fascists are deeply divided over how to proceed.

The setbacks for the BNP are, to a large extent, a consequence of anti-fascist campaigning. This has made it harder for the BNP to organise as publicly as it would wish, and has prevented the party attaining the level of credibility Griffin has craved. In the recent elections it also helped that increased voter turnout - due to the general election - boosted parties competing with the BNP in local elections.

Griffin has also been undermined by a series of damaging revelations in the last couple of months, including an incident in which a senior BNP organiser was filmed fighting in the street. It has become obvious that even prior to the election results there were tensions simmering inside the party.


Share

BNP wiped out in key areas

The sobering news of the results in the general election was followed by something to cheer about in the local election results: the complete wipeout of the BNP's presence on Barking and Dagenham council.

It is, as Unite Against Fascism (UAF) says, the fascist party's 'worst ever defeat'. What is really remarkable is that BNP leader Nick Griffin had aspired to his party taking control of the council, building on its existing 12 seats in the outer east London borough. In fact it has lost every one of those 12 seats. And not won a single new one.

This follows a poor result for Griffin in the Barking constituency in the general election. He was beaten into 3rd place in what was the BNP's top target seat, a 14.6% share representing a decline from 16.9% in 2005.

Victorious Labour MP Margaret Hodge welcomes the council results as "a great moment in history - a never to be forgotten moment for both the good people of Barking and Dagenham and for all of us in Britain."

"The message from Barking to the Nazi party is clear: Get out and stay out. You are not wanted here and your vile politics have no place in British democracy."



The BNP was defeated overwhelmingly throughout the borough. Its defeat was aided by higher turnout - from 38% in 2006 to 62% this time. This was partly because polling coincided with a national election, but also reflects concerted efforts by campaigners and trade unions to mobilise the anti-fascist vote.

These results prove that BNP breakthroughs can be reversed. Barking and Dagenham was the party's strongest area and a focus for continued campaigning by its activists.

Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism (UAF), says: "The BNP were defeated by mass anti-nazi activity. We built a coalition against them of black, white and Asian people, trade unionists, LGBT people and members of different faith groups."

"We systematically visited every ward, every major workplace and council estate, exposing the BNP as Nazis."

The fascists also suffered a major setback in its 2nd priority area. They stood in 3 general election seats in Stoke and took under 10% of the vote in all of them. They appear to have won no seats on Stoke-on-Trent council.

Elsewhere the BNP had mixed results, with decent votes in Westminster constituencies like 10.4% in Rotherham, 9% in Burnley and similar percentages in several others areas, showing there is no room for complacency. Nonethless, the fascists have suffered a serious setback - and the grin has been wiped off Nick Griffin's face.

Keep the fascists' hands off our schools

A survey in Barking and Dagenham, in east London, reveals that 94 % of teachers would not want to work for a BNP-led council. 75% of those surveyed by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and Hope Not Hate would consider no longer working in Barking and Dagenham.

The fascist British National Party already has a group of councillors in the borough. It aims to take control of the council in the 6 May local elections. Nick Griffin, BNP leader, is standing for Parliament in local constituency on the same day.

The survey highlighted teachers’ concerns that a BNP gain would impact negatively on the morale of teachers and have a detrimental effect on the education of children in the area.

One teacher commented "I think it would be the worst thing in the world. I would be frightened for people’s safety. I see the ethnic mix of this borough as a positive thing for me and my children. Please stop them." Another simply said ‘Disaster!’

105 local NUT members participated in the online survey. Some of them spoke of the need to stay on in the borough and continue to fight against the BNP.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, said:

"This survey shows that teachers have a genuine fear of the consequences that a BNP-led council would bring to schools in Barking and Dagenham and the threat it will pose to ensuring our schools are protected as havens of tolerance and community cohesion. The growth of far-right organisations in recent years is of grave concern to the NUT, particularly when this means they could have influence on schools, and the lives of our members and the pupils they teach."

The NUT has a political fund, which is used to campaign against the BNP. The union is currently funding campaigns to help stop BNP candidates being elected on 6 May, in Barking and Dagenham and elsewhere.

Hope Not Hate said: "This poll graphically illustrates the danger of the BNP. Would you want your child's education in the hands of a party that praises the Nazis and claims the Holocaust never happened? Their politics of division, extremism and hate have no place in our classrooms."

This is cross-posted at Counterfire.

Should universities be Nazi Free Zones?

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) has issued a statement defending the NUS Black Students' Officer, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, after she was censured by NUS Conference last Thursday. The censure was for her co-authorship of a letter to Durham Uni's Students Union, concerning the SU's failure to criticise Durham's debating society for inviting two BNP leaders to speak. She was upholding the national union's policy of No Platform for fascists, yet has now been attacked by a minority of the leadership and a layer of delegates.

There's a lively exchange of views in the comment thread for Counterfire's publication of the statement, much of it concerning the contested issue of No Platform. I've previously blogged about No Platform HERE and about the Durham controversy HERE. On this particular episode there's useful background, including this video of Bell addressing NUS Conference, HERE.



What follows is only slightly adapted from my comments at Counterfire:

I observed parts of NUS Conference and was at a number of fringe meetings, including a very good UAF fringe which discussed the continuing need for no platform. Wes Streeting and others have disgraced themselves and seriously undermined the student movement's commitment to no platform policy - and potentially the welfare of students.

It's worth noting that the vote was only won by 6 votes and happened first thing on Thursday morning (last day of conference), i.e. when attendance was at its lowest. There was only one round of short speeches for and against prior to the vote censuring Bell. This is shamelessly anti-democratic behaviour from Streeting and others.

A number of comments challenge the current policy of No Platform in NUS. But it's essential that NUS, like most trade unions, maintains No Platform. The reasons were discussed at the Unite Against Fascism fringe meeting on Wednesday.

Giving the BNP - a fascist organisation - a platform offers them respectability and legitimacy they don't deserve. At the fringe meeting the current Women's Officer recalled Griffin speaking at the Oxford Union when she was a student there, saying it was a breakthrough for the BNP in gaining respectability. It helped make the party seem reasonable and part of the mainstream.

When fascists get a hearing, racist violence increases. Racist thugs are emboldened and feel more confident. This is threatening to the welfare of students, which is surely a major priority for student unions and NUS. The safety and rights of minority groups are threatened by allowing fascists the 'right to speak'. Universities need to be safe spaces.

BNP members have nothing constructive to offer. Why offer them a platform, allowing them to pose as respectable while jeapordising student welfare? There is absolutely nothing to be gained. What did Durham's debating society hope to achieve? A bit of attention-grabbing controversy, I suspect.

It is vital the whole student movement re-commits to No Platform. It was welcome to hear NUS President-elect Aaron Porter, who I disagreed with on most things at the conference, stressing his commitment to this.

"Scandalous" behaviour: BNP candidate in North East

A judge has described a BNP general election candidate's behaviour as "scandalous". Mark Walker, BNP candidate for Sedgefield in County Durham, had previously been sacked as a teacher due to misconduct.

A tribunal report, leaked to a local newspaper, reveals that Walker would have been sacked from his job at a secondary school regardless of his sickness record. Walker was originally suspended in 2007 after claims he sent inappropriate emails to a 16-year-old former pupil and watched pornography on his laptop at work.

After later being dismissed from his job, Walker claimed he had been "victimised" because of his allegiance to the BNP. It has just emerged that his appeal was rejected in January, at a tribunal hearing in Newcastle.

Walker developed a poor attendance record following his initial suspension in 2007 - and claimed this was due to stress brought on by his alleged mistreatment. But the leaked report includes employment judge Andrew Buchanan saying: “If he had not acted in the way that he did towards that former pupil, he would not have had reason to be stressed and anxious and he would not have become ill.”

The judge said Walker’s “culpable and blameworthy conduct contributed to his dismissal to the extent of 100 per cent” and that “he was the author of his own unfortunate illness”.

Walker's dismissal had been triggered by him participating in a demonstration, staged outside the school to support him. This was held on an induction day for new pupils.

The judge said: “The claimant’s conduct during the time of his suspension was, frankly, scandalous. For a teacher to be associated with a rowdy demonstration at the school gates on a day when pupils new to the school were being inducted demonstrates a failure to observe professional standards which this tribunal finds breathtaking.”

The report also rejects claims that Walker's sacking was politically motivated: “The tribunal does not accept that the headteacher herself was motivated by antipathy to the BNP, but recognises that that party does provoke antipathy in many people.”

Walker’s brother, Adam, also a BNP candidate in the forthcoming elections, played a part too. He wrote a letter to 80 school staff saying attempts were under way to “destroy his brother’s life”.

The judge concluded: “The claimant clearly was also cognisant of and supportive of the attempts of his brother and others to write to the staff and to seek to undermine the authority of the headteacher.”

This latest episode is yet another reminder of the reality of BNP candidates who pose as respectable politicians.

This article of mine also appears at Counterfire.

Senior BNP leader arrested for threatening to kill Nick Griffin

Mark Collett, a senior British National Party member, has been arrested. He is alleged to have threatened to kill his own party leader Nick Griffin.

It has been revealed that Collett, the BNP's publicity director, was arrested on Thursday. This apparently followed Griffin and a number of BNP colleagues giving statements to the police.

Collett was supposed to be a candidate in the forthcoming general election, standing against David Blunkett in Sheffield. But this now looks unlikely - he has already been removed from his position in the fascist organisation. Other leading BNP members accuse Collett of attempting to orchestrate a "palace coup" against Griffin.

The arrest of Collett is a serious blow to the BNP, as it gears up for an election campaign spearheaded by Griffin, who is standing in Barking and Dagenham. The background to the arrest appears to reveal infighting and tensions at the highest level, with party officals linking Collett to the "leaking on the internet of sensitive personal information" and "alleged financial irregularities".

This latest bad news for the BNP follows last month's ruling that its membership policy is discriminatory. It will severely damage its hopes of presenting a respectable and credible image in the pre-election period.

As a spokesperson for anti-fascist magazine Searchlight says: "Nick Griffin is constantly claiming he is the leader of a moderate, non-violent organisation. It is difficult to see how he can square that assertion with his statement to the police that his own head of publicity has been plotting to kill him."

Anti-fascist campaigners up and down the country will now be stepping up efforts to halt the BNP's bid for seats in the general and local council elections.

Updates from Bolton anti-fascist protests: "police tactics which are brutal and intimidating"

The Sauce is providing frequent updates - through words, pictures and video - from today's anti-fascist demonstrations in Bolton. Updates include:

11.48: The far right EDL has certainly chosen a northern town scarred by the bankers' economic crisis - Bolton is punctured with closed shops and businesses. Woolworths, one of the biggest victims of the recession, has not yet been replaced. The economy has managed to board up more windows than today's protests. Rather than attack the people who have damaged the country, the EDL attacks working class people.

12.01: Riot police and officers are already attacking anti-fascist demonstrators trying to brake out of the kettle. Tear gas fired (Police deny this, saying it's a flare which is much more likely). Protesters shouting "shame on you." Loud bangs and UAF supporters being dragged from the crowd. An eyewitness says: "there are people passing out and getting crushed."

12.46: Two riot officers race a protester forward at speed to prevent them speaking to a legal observer.



13.07: Announcement that the police have arrested Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of UAF.

(The video is of legal advisor John Tipple)

BBC offers Griffin a sequel to Question Time appearance

It has emerged that Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time last October was no one-off. The British National Party leader, and North West MEP, is set to return to the BBC, appearing as part of the broadcaster's coverage of the general election this spring.

It was barely noticed, but on Tuesday the BBC announced plans for a 'minor parties debate'. This will follow the debate between mainstream party leaders (Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg). Giving a platform to voices outside the political Establishment seems promising, but it is clear this will include the fascist leader Griffin.

In a statement published on the BBC website, chief political advisor Ric Bailey said: "There will be arrangements in the programming around the BBC debate, a week before polling day, to ensure other parties
which have demonstrated they have some electoral support - UKIP, the Green Party and the BNP - will have their say."

It isn't yet known if ITV and Sky will include BNP representation in any of their live debates. But, worryingly, Griffin's deputy Simon Darby has also revealed the BBC's plan to feature the BNP in an edition of Panorama in the next few months. The BBC seems intent on giving legitimacy to a party that anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations believe should be stripped of false respectability and denied a platform for presenting its race hate propaganda.

Last autumn's appearance by Griffin on Question Time was greeted with large and lively protests at the programme's recording, with local protests at BBC regional centres elsewhere. Similar protests will be needed again, playing a vital role in rolling back the threat posed by the BNP in the forthcoming election campaign. More immediately, the corporation should be made aware of the disgust many will feel at its plans, with the aim of pressuring it to drop the proposal. Anti-fascists will also need to ensure the BBC's decision is not taken as a cue for others to offer a platform to Griffin and his fellow neo-Nazis.

More urgently: there's this protest against the English Defence League tomorrow.

Victory for anti-fascists: Durham University 'debate' with BNP cancelled

On Monday I reported the announcement of a Durham University debating society event involving two leading BNP members. Pressure during the last few days, including plans for a major Unite Agianst Fascism protest at next Friday's event, has paid off. Here is the good news.

A JOINT STATEMENT FROM DURHAM UNION SOCIETY AND DURHAM UNIVERSITY

Durham Union Society (DUS), with the support of Durham University, has today announced that it has had to cancel plans for a debate entitled
'This House believes in a Multicultural Britain' in Durham City, scheduled for Friday 12 February.

The DUS had invited political commentator and advisor, Kulveer Ranger, and Conservative MP Edward Leigh to propose the motion, and elected British National Party (BNP) representatives Andrew Brons MEP and Councillor Chris Beverley to speak in opposition.

The decision to cancel the debate was taken by both the DUS, a long-established, independent debating society, and the University, after extensive consultations with the Police on the issue of public safety. While the debate was to be open to DUS members only, evidence of an escalation in planned protests and violence outside the chamber from both anti-fascist and fascist groups had increased the risk of public disorder and intimidation to students and staff.

DUS President Anna Birley said: "There has been mounting interest in the debate with both concerned and very supportive feedback from students and staff. I am confident that the debate would have been intelligent and responsible and an opportunity for our membership to expose and challenge any offensive views. I am disappointed that the focus has been moved away from a debate about multiculturalism to a planned confrontation outside of the chamber.

"I respect the right of groups to protest peacefully, but when a minority of both fascist and anti-fascist groups use peaceful protests and a controversial debate as a pretext for threatening behaviour, we must prioritise the safety of students attending the debate. I'm particularly concerned that the National Union of Students (NUS), which the DUS has no affiliation with, had planned to go out of their way to bring coaches of students to Durham, putting both their students and our members between rival groups of impassioned demonstrators."

The University, which had initially given consent for the debate to take place on its premises after careful consideration of its code of practice and statutes which preserve 'freedom of expression' within the University's estate, was supportive of the Society's decision to call-off the debate when it became clear that the safety of students, staff and visitors outside of the debating chamber could not be guaranteed.

Carolyn Fowler, the University's Registrar said: "The welfare of students and staff has always been our first priority and the University statutes clearly state that any threat to public safety supersedes the importance of freedom of expression, so we fully support the decision of DUS to cancel the debate on these grounds. The University was not prepared to provide an occasion for external extremist groups to engage in provocative and intimidating demonstrations that could endanger people and property.

"The views of the BNP are diametrically opposed to Durham University's expressed ethos of cultural-diversity and tolerance. We welcome staff and students of all cultures and faiths and from all parts of the world."

Durham University has the highest percentage of international staff of any UK University and is proud to welcome more than 1800 international students from over 160 countries.

Durham Uni debating society invites BNP - build united protest against fascists

In an astonishingly stupid decision, Durham University's debating society has invited two leading BNP members, Andrew Brons MEP and Chris Beverley, to speak in a 'debate'. It begins at 8.30pm next Friday (12 February) - anti-fascists will gather to protest from 6pm.

Unite Against Fascism explain on the Facebook Event page:

'Andrew Brons was a member of the National Socialist Movement, a group which was deliberately founded on the date of Hitler’s birthday and which was also responsible for a number of arson attacks on synagogues in the 60s. Brons later became the chairman of the National Front between 1980 and 1984 and co-edited their journal New Nation. Since he has joined the British National Party and was elected in the Euro election in 2009 for Leeds and Humberside.

Chris Beverley is a Leeds councillor for the BNP and is their main liaison with German nazi National Democratic Party, along with other Nazi BNP members he attended a gathering of the European National Front in 2007.

The Durham Debating Society are playing with fire by inviting these fascists onto campus. We cannot allow fascists a platform to divide the community and incite racist attacks. Brons and Beverley have no interest in open debate, they are leading members of an organisation that that explicitly justifies violence and repression and campaigns to whip up racism against Muslims.

This is not an abstract argument, wherever the BNP organise racist attacks rise. They may use the word “freedom” and “liberty” and they may receive votes at elections, but this does not hide the fact that they are racist, homophobic, sexist and violent organisation.

We must learn the lessons of history…we cannot give fascists an inch. If we are to stop the Nazi BNP we must unite together, whether black or white, asian or Jew, gay or straight, Muslim or Atheist.'

This is a statement that makes all the core points I'd emphasise - I've blogged previously about the need for a No Platform policy. This is a particularly idiotic instance of Nazis being offered a platform, lending them a false respectability that is utterly undeserved - and dangerous. Hopefully Durham students will themselves organise to get the invitations cancelled. For the rest of us the challenge is to mobilise a large and lively demonstration which totally isolates these fascists and deprives them of legitimacy.

What can you do? Here's UAF's excellent advice:

• Sort out transport and bring people to the UAF demonstration outside – assemble 6pm outside Durham University – Friday 12 February (national mobilisation).
• Get a motion passed through your union to condemn the invitation
• Send a complaint to the debating society (info@dus.org.uk), copy in the vice-chancellor (chris.higgins@durham.ac.uk ) and students union (dsu.president@durham.ac.uk ).
• Organise a Unite Against Fascism meeting in your college and attend the Unite Against Fascism annual conference in London on 13 February

One other thing: it's worth noting that the Durham Uni invitation comes on the back of this news from Newcastle University.

Picture: Brons (left), National Front leading member Martin Webster (centre) and current BNP Fuhrer Nick Griffin (behind Webster)

Ten flashpoints in 2009

Which of these was the most significant? Which of them are a glimpse of what is to come? Which will still be remembered, and regarded as important, in a year's time - or in 5 or 10 years' time?

Please note this is an unashamedly parochial selection, compiled from a UK perspective. I'd be interested for any suggestions for a more international list.

1. The 100,000+ demonstration for Gaza on 10 January: one of the most radical, militant and angry marches I've ever been on, and a reminder of the mobilising power of this country's anti-war movement.

2. The wave of student occupations for Gaza, involving action at more than 30 universities, which constituted the most impressive example of student solidarity action for many years.

3. Put People First and G20 protests: 35,000 marched on 28 March, focused on the issues of jobs, justice and climate, with smaller but lively and highly political protests during the following days. Ian Tomlinson was tragically killed by police towards the end of the City protests on 1 April.

4. Strasbourg's anti-NATO demonstrations followed hot on the heels of the G20, facing an extraordinary and repressive operation by French police. Stop the War contingents from the UK were amongst those protesting.

5. Workers went into occupation when Visteon unexpectedly announced mass redundancies. This raised the spectre of workplace occupations in a way not known for many years.

6. The fascist British National Party picked up two seats in the European Parliament from June's elections, including leader Nick Griffin in the North West of England. Anti-fascists campaigned against the BNP threat before the elections, and have continued to campaign since - including the protest at the Red, White and Blue Festival in August and mobilisations against the English Defence League's racist hooligans. The Euro elections also highlighted the depth of disillusionment with mainstream parties after the expenses crisis.

7. Vestas brought together the issue of rising unemployment with the politics of climate change. A group of non-unionised workers occupied their wind turbines plant on the Isle of Wight. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the militant action carried forward the idea that occupations are the way to resist closures and job cuts.

8. Postal workers took national strike action in the autumn. The leadership ended up selling them short with a shoddy compromise deal, but on the plus side it signalled the potential for mass public sector strikes.

9. Stop the War's October 24 march and rally, including a speech by serving soldier Joe Glenton, captured the growing public discontent with the war in Afghanistan, which is becoming especially pronounced amongst relatives of troops and in the working class communities they come from.

10. Copenhagen's UN summit on climate change was greeted by a wave of protest, in the host city and internationally, with a demonstration of 100,000 or more in Copenhagen on 12 December.