Regular round up of events and actions.
Vol 4, Issue 7, Jun/July '00
West Midlands - Driving Them Out, Or Packing Them In?
Glasgow - Dangerous And Self-Defeating
Vol 4, Issue 6, April/May '00
West Midlands AFA - Tipton Black Country
Oxford AFA - Successful Fundraiser
Liverpool AFA - Fundraiser, The First Of Many
Vol 4, Issue 4, Dec '99/Jan '00
Cable St Commemoration (London)
Anarchist Bookfair (London)
AFA leafletting (Glasgow)
RA paper sale (Glasgow)
Searchlight conference (Birmingham)
Troops Out conference (Birmingham)
Vol 4, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '99
RA delegation (Belfast)
Celtic (Glasgow)
National Civil Rights Movement (London)
Tiocfaidh Ar La (Birmingham)
Cable St Beat (Brighton)
Vol 4, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '99
Republican Friends of AFA
Vol 4, Issue 1, June/July '99
Our Friends in the North
RA in Scotland
National Civil Rights Movement
Annual General Meeting
Celtic Supporters
Vol 3, Issue 6, Apr/May '99
St Patricks Day
Bhoys Against Bigotry
Vol 3, Issue 5, Feb/Mar '99
TAL Film Show
Newcastle AFA
AFA Addresses Race Seminar
Vol 3, Issue 4, Dec '98/Jan '99
Camden Ban Lifted
Cable St Commemoration
West Mids AFA
Glasgow and Manchester RA
Vol 3, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '98
West Mids AFA
RA relaunch in Scotland
Vol 3, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '98
AFA in Germany
Defections in West Mids.
Vol 3, Issue 1, June/July '98
Bloody Sunday March
Dover March
Sectarian Attacks
Aston Villa
Showing posts with label Point Blank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Point Blank. Show all posts
Point Blank, RA Vol 4, Issue 7, June/July '00
WEST MIDLANDS - DRIVING THEM OUT, OR PACKING THEM IN?
On June 6, AFA stewards attended a meeting called by the SWP/ANL in Dudley, just a mile or two from Tipton (see page 5).The public meeting entitled ‘Driving the Fascists out of the West Midlands’ inspired AFA to produce a counter leaflet: ‘Driving them out or packing them in..?’
AFA, as the only vocal participants to repeatedly throw a question mark over the continual lies and empty rhetoric of ANL organiser Julie Waterson, were well received by those in attendance from outside of the SWP. Amazing really how Waterson could conduct a two hour ‘smash ‘em and crush ‘em’ type meeting and yet only mention Tipton once, two minutes from the end, and in the context of being a ‘National Front stronghold’. Finger on the pulse, eh?
On June 6, AFA stewards attended a meeting called by the SWP/ANL in Dudley, just a mile or two from Tipton (see page 5).The public meeting entitled ‘Driving the Fascists out of the West Midlands’ inspired AFA to produce a counter leaflet: ‘Driving them out or packing them in..?’
AFA, as the only vocal participants to repeatedly throw a question mark over the continual lies and empty rhetoric of ANL organiser Julie Waterson, were well received by those in attendance from outside of the SWP. Amazing really how Waterson could conduct a two hour ‘smash ‘em and crush ‘em’ type meeting and yet only mention Tipton once, two minutes from the end, and in the context of being a ‘National Front stronghold’. Finger on the pulse, eh?
GLASGOW - DANGEROUS AND SELF-DEFEATING
AFA activists in Glasgow addressed a number of meetings recently organised by the SWP/ANL under the banner ‘Refugees Welcome Here’. In Govan Hill Scottish Socialist Party as well as the Lib Dems were also prominent. AFA made its point to those assembled, that counterpoising the interests of the refugees directly against the impoverished of the host communities, was dangerous and self-defeating. Only the SSP speaker recognised where AFA were coming from whilst the rest attacked that rational for the rest of the meeting. One prominent speaker did his credibility no good by reffering to the BNP leader as Nick Griffiths!
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 7, June/July '00
AFA activists in Glasgow addressed a number of meetings recently organised by the SWP/ANL under the banner ‘Refugees Welcome Here’. In Govan Hill Scottish Socialist Party as well as the Lib Dems were also prominent. AFA made its point to those assembled, that counterpoising the interests of the refugees directly against the impoverished of the host communities, was dangerous and self-defeating. Only the SSP speaker recognised where AFA were coming from whilst the rest attacked that rational for the rest of the meeting. One prominent speaker did his credibility no good by reffering to the BNP leader as Nick Griffiths!
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 7, June/July '00
Point Blank, RA Vol 4, Issue 6, April/May '00
WEST MIDLANDS AFA – TIPTON BLACK COUNTRY
AFA stewards began pre-election work against the West Midlands BNP in mid-March. Some 2,500 leaflets delivered door to door highlighted the opportunism behind the West Mid’s BNP’s Tipton based electoral experiment. A BNP member from the area phoned up the AFA national office stating that a copy of AFA’s Tipton leaflet was being forwarded to the police, precociously assuming a less than lawful AFA agenda with regards to the BNR Also a matter of concern to the caller was whether AFA itself would also be contesting the Tipton wards!
Orchestraters of the BNP campaign, Steve and Sharon Edwards, who live in the distant and largely middle class area of Wombourne, were vindicated by the caller as people whose family had lived in Tipton for four generations. Also cited was the BNP’s recent orientation towards community work and three local resident’s groups.
AFA stewards began pre-election work against the West Midlands BNP in mid-March. Some 2,500 leaflets delivered door to door highlighted the opportunism behind the West Mid’s BNP’s Tipton based electoral experiment. A BNP member from the area phoned up the AFA national office stating that a copy of AFA’s Tipton leaflet was being forwarded to the police, precociously assuming a less than lawful AFA agenda with regards to the BNR Also a matter of concern to the caller was whether AFA itself would also be contesting the Tipton wards!
Orchestraters of the BNP campaign, Steve and Sharon Edwards, who live in the distant and largely middle class area of Wombourne, were vindicated by the caller as people whose family had lived in Tipton for four generations. Also cited was the BNP’s recent orientation towards community work and three local resident’s groups.
OXFORD AFA - SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER
SCORES OF disappointed punters had to be turned away from an AFA benefit at the East Oxford Community Centre on 11.3.00. Popular local reggae band Mackating and DJ’s Hadyn, Natty Mark and Ras James rapidly had the venue packed to its capacity, forcing stewards to lock the doors on revellers unlucky enough to have arrived late.
The atmosphere in the club was buzzing all night and the dance floor heaved until the shut down. A total of £420 was raised on the door and the AFA stall reported an enthusiastic response. Both the venue and the performers stated that they were more than happy with the success of the gig and have offered their services for future fundraising.
Oxford AFA has felt the need to raise its profile recently, in this part of the city, in response to a wave of reaction in the local press against asylum seekers currently residing here. AFA has drawn attention to the fact that the situation is ripe for exploitation by the far-right. It Is important therefore, that through such activities as benefit gigs, using the letters page of the local press etc, AFA is in effect ensuring that any vacuum that opens up to possible fascist infiltration is promptly shored up. Guaranteeing that AFA strongholds, such as East Oxford remain well and truly in our hands.
SCORES OF disappointed punters had to be turned away from an AFA benefit at the East Oxford Community Centre on 11.3.00. Popular local reggae band Mackating and DJ’s Hadyn, Natty Mark and Ras James rapidly had the venue packed to its capacity, forcing stewards to lock the doors on revellers unlucky enough to have arrived late.
The atmosphere in the club was buzzing all night and the dance floor heaved until the shut down. A total of £420 was raised on the door and the AFA stall reported an enthusiastic response. Both the venue and the performers stated that they were more than happy with the success of the gig and have offered their services for future fundraising.
Oxford AFA has felt the need to raise its profile recently, in this part of the city, in response to a wave of reaction in the local press against asylum seekers currently residing here. AFA has drawn attention to the fact that the situation is ripe for exploitation by the far-right. It Is important therefore, that through such activities as benefit gigs, using the letters page of the local press etc, AFA is in effect ensuring that any vacuum that opens up to possible fascist infiltration is promptly shored up. Guaranteeing that AFA strongholds, such as East Oxford remain well and truly in our hands.
LIVERPOOL AFA - FUNDRAISER THE FIRST OF MANY
LIVERPOOL AFA held their first benefit for five years on 11th March. 300 people packed into The Picket on Hardman Street to see Vamos, Western Avenue and Zeb play an eclectic mix of punk, hip-hip and dance grooves. The audience was a diverse mixture of dockers, Republicans, students, musicians and other odds and sods that make the Liverpool so unique. Liverpool’s own Tommy 8 provided the well-received poetry in-between Western Avenue and Zeb. Andy Johnson spoke on behalf of AFA, telling the audience “AFA was formed in the mid-eighties for the sole purpose of the ideological and physical confrontation of fascism in this country. It has been a very successful campaign. Britain in the year 2000 is the only country in Europe without a noticeable Far-Right presence. AFA claims the exclusive responsibility for this. But this is no time to be complacent”.
All in all a very successful evening with £933 taken on the door, and this gig is sure to be the first of many.
A week later an AFA contingent was present during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which had been stopped by Loyalists in l996. The opposition failed to materialise on this occasion. Liverpool has always had one of the most respected and active branches within AFA, and this gig is the opening of a new chapter in Liverpool’s anti-fascist history. An influx of new faces, along with the rebuilding of AFA’s Northern Network, means that the underlying anti-fascist presence on Merseyside will become visible on the streets again.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 6, April/May '00
LIVERPOOL AFA held their first benefit for five years on 11th March. 300 people packed into The Picket on Hardman Street to see Vamos, Western Avenue and Zeb play an eclectic mix of punk, hip-hip and dance grooves. The audience was a diverse mixture of dockers, Republicans, students, musicians and other odds and sods that make the Liverpool so unique. Liverpool’s own Tommy 8 provided the well-received poetry in-between Western Avenue and Zeb. Andy Johnson spoke on behalf of AFA, telling the audience “AFA was formed in the mid-eighties for the sole purpose of the ideological and physical confrontation of fascism in this country. It has been a very successful campaign. Britain in the year 2000 is the only country in Europe without a noticeable Far-Right presence. AFA claims the exclusive responsibility for this. But this is no time to be complacent”.
All in all a very successful evening with £933 taken on the door, and this gig is sure to be the first of many.
A week later an AFA contingent was present during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which had been stopped by Loyalists in l996. The opposition failed to materialise on this occasion. Liverpool has always had one of the most respected and active branches within AFA, and this gig is the opening of a new chapter in Liverpool’s anti-fascist history. An influx of new faces, along with the rebuilding of AFA’s Northern Network, means that the underlying anti-fascist presence on Merseyside will become visible on the streets again.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 6, April/May '00
Point Blank, RA Vol 4, Issue 4, Dec '99/Jan '00
Cable St Commemoration
Oct 7-10: In a departure from the normal format of public meeting/rally, the annual Cable St Commemoration was marked this year by a public debate on the relevance of ‘race and class’ as part of an effective strategy to counter the steady growth of racism and fascism. Following the 11 million votes plus for the Far Right in the Euro election: ‘Never Again?’ was the question posed. Among those on the panel were Guardian feature writer Gary Younge, academic Roger Hewitt plus representatives from the Anti Nazi League and AFA (full report page 5). The public debate was the highpoint of four days of AFA-sponsored events, which included the showing of Ken Loach’s acclaimed series Days of Hope, at the Lux Cinema, E. London.
Oct 7-10: In a departure from the normal format of public meeting/rally, the annual Cable St Commemoration was marked this year by a public debate on the relevance of ‘race and class’ as part of an effective strategy to counter the steady growth of racism and fascism. Following the 11 million votes plus for the Far Right in the Euro election: ‘Never Again?’ was the question posed. Among those on the panel were Guardian feature writer Gary Younge, academic Roger Hewitt plus representatives from the Anti Nazi League and AFA (full report page 5). The public debate was the highpoint of four days of AFA-sponsored events, which included the showing of Ken Loach’s acclaimed series Days of Hope, at the Lux Cinema, E. London.
Anarchist Bookfair
Oct 16: The biggest ever turnover from an AFA stall at the Anarchist Book Fair, some £350 in total suggests a number of things. One, the campaign using anarchism as a flag of convenience in order to discredit AFA, appears to have suffered a serious loss of credibility’ following the disclosure by RA that the real focus of the inquiry into the manipulation of the AFA Northern Network was not anarchism per se but Nick Lowles, the new Searchlight editor. Secondly, the gradual reawakening of interest in militant anti-fascism, indicates that at least this section of the Left no longer buy into the Searchlight/ANL fable of the ‘BNP on an ever downward curve’.
AFA Leafletting & RA Paper Sale
Glasgow: October: In response to a BNP recruitment campaign in the Southside of the city. AFA leafletters had an early morning start, when over 2,500 leaflets were distributed door to door in the tightly packed streets of the Croftfoot area of Glasgow. A fifteen strong team completed their task in little over two hours. A police attempt to intimidate R.A sellers at Celtic Park failed when the notion of ‘specific complaints’ from other Celtic fans in relation to R.A being ‘pro-IRA’ was effectively challenged by the sellers. In response to the charge that the ‘pro-republican’ nature of the material ‘was likely to provoke a breach of the peace’, a seller pointed out to the officer that he had actually ‘walked past Republican News sellers’ on his way over, and if he had come a little earlier he would have ‘had to pass Republican Sinn Fein paper sellers as well and you can’t get more ‘extreme’ than that!’ Despite the disruption, up to seventy RA bulletins were sold with the sale being supported by new members travelling from Dumbarton and Fife.
Searchlight Conference
Birmingham Nov 10: Despite being denied a stall, AFA members made a decisive intervention during a seminar jointly hosted by Searchlight and the Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit. In the workshops AFA reps took on all corners from Black Nationalists to the ANL exposing and winning the arguments hands down, (further report Not Waving...)
Troops Out Conference
Nov20: A one-day conference entitled ‘The North of Ireland, What Next?’ was considerably enlivened by a Red Action presence both during and after the event. Highlight of the event was a stinging attack by the TAL editor on the representatives of the Brit Left who accused the SF representative of ‘selling out’. Noting the ‘ridiculous pretence of their pretending to be more radical than Irish Republicans while at the same time supporting a Labour party that has possibly a worse Human Rights record in Ireland than even the Tories!’ Later the TAL stall in particular did a roaring trade.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 4, Dec '99/Jan '00
Point Blank, RA Vol 4, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '99
Red Action Delegation - Belfast
August 6, 7, 8: The biggest Red Action delegation for years travelled to the annual West Belfast Festival. The majority there for the first time. The impression made was considered invaluable in regard to taking in the bigger political picture both over here, as well as over there. (full report here)
Celtic - Glasgow
Despite work around Celtic Park remaining impressive, sales of the Red Action bulletin, which currently sell at an average of 10 bulletins per seller, will only continue to rise if supply meets demand: ie. if there are more sellers.
National Civil Rights Movement - London
September 19: Plans by London AFA to secure a stall at a National Civil Rights Movement benefit in Hackney were continually thwarted by the organisers who insisted there was no room. Only the NCRM itself, the ANL, 'Friends of Garvaghy Rd' (or Gadaffi Rd as the organiser insisted on calling them!) were facilitated. Why AFA, who are represented on the NCRM Steering Committee, were not invited was not adequately explained. Instead people were leafleted on the way in. Less than 200 attended.
Royal National Theatre security was called after a couple of AFA leafleters were spotted distributing material to people attending the play 'Lawrence Story' in order to highlight issues relating to race attacks. Not only did one 'jobsworth' stop further distribution but attempted to retrieve those already handed out. Following negotiations 200 leaflets were placed on a stall in the lobby next to recruitment leaflets for the Metropolitan police!
Tiocfaidh Ar La - Birmingham
September 11: In the face of confident forecasts, a benefit organised by West Midlands AFA in conjunction with the hugely popular and influential Celtic fanzine Tiocfaidh Ar La was something of a let down. Haphazard organising and a failure to put in the required amount of work to guarantee a respectable turn-out meant the attendance was poor. Must do better.
Cable St. Beat - Brighton
October l: Cable St. Beat gig in Brighton, despite a relatively small attendance of less than 200, proved hugely successful politically and financially with fresh contacts established. The AFA stall doing steady business throughout the evening and £300 made on the door.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '99
August 6, 7, 8: The biggest Red Action delegation for years travelled to the annual West Belfast Festival. The majority there for the first time. The impression made was considered invaluable in regard to taking in the bigger political picture both over here, as well as over there. (full report here)
Celtic - Glasgow
Despite work around Celtic Park remaining impressive, sales of the Red Action bulletin, which currently sell at an average of 10 bulletins per seller, will only continue to rise if supply meets demand: ie. if there are more sellers.
National Civil Rights Movement - London
September 19: Plans by London AFA to secure a stall at a National Civil Rights Movement benefit in Hackney were continually thwarted by the organisers who insisted there was no room. Only the NCRM itself, the ANL, 'Friends of Garvaghy Rd' (or Gadaffi Rd as the organiser insisted on calling them!) were facilitated. Why AFA, who are represented on the NCRM Steering Committee, were not invited was not adequately explained. Instead people were leafleted on the way in. Less than 200 attended.
Royal National Theatre security was called after a couple of AFA leafleters were spotted distributing material to people attending the play 'Lawrence Story' in order to highlight issues relating to race attacks. Not only did one 'jobsworth' stop further distribution but attempted to retrieve those already handed out. Following negotiations 200 leaflets were placed on a stall in the lobby next to recruitment leaflets for the Metropolitan police!
Tiocfaidh Ar La - Birmingham
September 11: In the face of confident forecasts, a benefit organised by West Midlands AFA in conjunction with the hugely popular and influential Celtic fanzine Tiocfaidh Ar La was something of a let down. Haphazard organising and a failure to put in the required amount of work to guarantee a respectable turn-out meant the attendance was poor. Must do better.
Cable St. Beat - Brighton
October l: Cable St. Beat gig in Brighton, despite a relatively small attendance of less than 200, proved hugely successful politically and financially with fresh contacts established. The AFA stall doing steady business throughout the evening and £300 made on the door.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '99
Point Blank, RA Vol 4, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '99
'Republican friends of AFA '
June 6: Of all the regions contested by the BNP in Euro elections in June, Scotland showed the poorest returns. Partly as a result of being driven underground in the early 1990's the organisation thereby surrendered any public profile whatsoever. So despite the Euro-Nationalist strategy being implemented with considerable success elsewhere the Scottish BNP are still betwixt and between terrorism (talking about it anyway) and electoralism. In an effort to remedy the situation, considerable graft was put into decorating lamp posts with BNP placards stretching for miles through central Glasgow, only for equally dedicated Republican 'friends of AFA' making sure they literally never saw the light of day. The last placard ripped down at exactly 8am. In an unrelated incident a gentleman wearing a KKK t-shirt coming badly unstuck on a city centre bus in Edinburgh was a further reminder to all concerned 'we haven 't gone away you know '.
July 1: A 1,000 strong audience to hear Stuart Hall, former Marxism Today columnist, lecture on nation and race in the millennium was leafleted by AFA. Hall, a firm proponent of 'race first style anti-racism, ' spoke for an hour. Later questions were answered with aplomb, until it came to questions posed by an AFA activist and strangely, former NF leader Martin Webster. Both questions were quite straight forward. Webster asking whether Hall 'really believed the indigenous population could be kept down by the use of further legislation ' while the AFA representative asked if he agreed the 'very the obvious dangers of racialising social issues that pitched working class communities against each other could in the end only benefit the Far Right '. Hall 's response was to clumsily conflate the two questions clearly assuming fascism and the working class were peas in the pod. But in admitting discourses other than his own had validity he fatally undermined his earlier hour long lecture in which class was mentioned only once in passing. Instructive.
July 10 & 11: At a two day event in High Wycombe, six bands publicly endorsed the AFA message. Merchandise and Fighting Talk 's were sold. At a fund-raiser elsewhere over £200 was surrendered to the AFA coffers.
July 18: In a genuinely bizarre encounter in Worcester, the ANL, having had a planned internal BNP meeting at a local leisure centre cancelled on Searchlight instruction, still held a seven strong silent picket outside 'in solidarity with the local community '. On the appearance of some AFA scouts their resolve crumbled, with over half their party making a break for it leaving the remainder to face what they evidently imagined was the music. Predictably local headlines read 'Celebrations as BNP foiled '. In reality all the intervention achieved was to disrupt AFA's monitoring of the situation. Motive enough from a Searchlight perspective.
July 28: An AFA representative addressed a central London branch of the MSF, giving AFA's analysis of the political situation. Originally scheduled for 30 minutes the discussion lasted over an hour with the branch itself offering to propose a speaking slot at regional level.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '99
July 1: A 1,000 strong audience to hear Stuart Hall, former Marxism Today columnist, lecture on nation and race in the millennium was leafleted by AFA. Hall, a firm proponent of 'race first style anti-racism, ' spoke for an hour. Later questions were answered with aplomb, until it came to questions posed by an AFA activist and strangely, former NF leader Martin Webster. Both questions were quite straight forward. Webster asking whether Hall 'really believed the indigenous population could be kept down by the use of further legislation ' while the AFA representative asked if he agreed the 'very the obvious dangers of racialising social issues that pitched working class communities against each other could in the end only benefit the Far Right '. Hall 's response was to clumsily conflate the two questions clearly assuming fascism and the working class were peas in the pod. But in admitting discourses other than his own had validity he fatally undermined his earlier hour long lecture in which class was mentioned only once in passing. Instructive.
July 10 & 11: At a two day event in High Wycombe, six bands publicly endorsed the AFA message. Merchandise and Fighting Talk 's were sold. At a fund-raiser elsewhere over £200 was surrendered to the AFA coffers.
July 18: In a genuinely bizarre encounter in Worcester, the ANL, having had a planned internal BNP meeting at a local leisure centre cancelled on Searchlight instruction, still held a seven strong silent picket outside 'in solidarity with the local community '. On the appearance of some AFA scouts their resolve crumbled, with over half their party making a break for it leaving the remainder to face what they evidently imagined was the music. Predictably local headlines read 'Celebrations as BNP foiled '. In reality all the intervention achieved was to disrupt AFA's monitoring of the situation. Motive enough from a Searchlight perspective.
July 28: An AFA representative addressed a central London branch of the MSF, giving AFA's analysis of the political situation. Originally scheduled for 30 minutes the discussion lasted over an hour with the branch itself offering to propose a speaking slot at regional level.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '99
Point Blank, RA Vol 4, Issue 1, June/July '99
Our Friends in the North
AFA in the North West have been linking up with bands on the hard core scene over the last few months, and the response of bands and punters have far surpassed what we had hoped for. Initial contact with some of the prominent bands on the scene prompted a three gig benefit tour in late May. In preparation other gigs were leafleted while AFA stalls promoted the tour. 150 attended a 'highly politicised' AFA benefit in Manchester. Bradford, despite clashing with the European Cup Final, was also a success. The bands committed to doing the third gig, which had to be pulled due to venue problems are putting out a benefit CD for AFA instead. A second mini-tour is already planned to promote this CD.
RA in Scotland
APRIL 3: Red Action sale at Celtic park. AFA Benefit with band Recidivist in Edinburgh. Literature sold, money raised. May 15: over 60 copies of the RA Bulletin sold at Celtic Park followed by a joint Fighting Talk/RA sale outside Wolfe Tones concert. More political literature sold at another gig later in the evening. May 22: well over 1,000 Tal's sold outside Scottish Cup Final. June 5: James Connolly Society March in Edinburgh. Attended by a 50 strong Campaign Against Sectarian Attacks/AFA delegation. A bizzare request by some march stewards that CASA placards be taken down in case they might prove provocative to police was politely rejected. March leafletted and large number of FT,s sold. A small number of off-duty AFA members, socialising with friends, clashed with BNP/ICF (Rangers FC casuals) in Edinburgh city centre in the afternoon.
National Civil Rights Movement
LONDON AFA representatives attended the first steering group meeting of the recently launched National Civil Rights Movement held in London on May 16. A proposal that in addition to a legal/monitoring approach to race attacks (now running at 2, 000 a month in London alone) there was an obvious need for a political strategy and a working party should be set up to investigate thisÓ - was rejected. Or more accurately given that three or four conversations spontaneously broke out as the AFA delegate addressed the meeting - ignored. In addition, it also now clear that the title Civil Rights Movement' is also misleading. For a majority of the steering committee ambitions stretch no farther than securing government funding for a monitoring type project on a National scale. Nonetheless a national conference is planned for early September when the AFA proposals will be vigorously re-submitted.
Annual General Meeting
WEST MIDLANDS AFA held its AGM in north Birmingham on May 9. The well attended meeting voted unanimously to support all IWCA initiatives as an integral part of an ongoing strategy opposed to attempts by the BNP in BirmingHam and the Black Country to present itself as the radical alternative locally. A 17.3% BNP vote in Tipton, quadrupling that achieved by the nominal socialist candidate, shows militant anti-fascist concerns are well grounded. The regional AFA organiser told the meeting: The entire position in which we find ourselves is the logical conclusion of all the years we spent dismantling the BNP's street operation. We must now see it through to its natural course.
Celtic Supporters
RED ACTION Celtic FC supporters in the west Mids have joined forces with other Celtic fans in the region to launch a Tiocfaidh Ar La supporters club. The club will serve to link up supporters of the fanzine on both a social and political level throughout the Midlands area. If interested in getting involved make contact via Tal or West Midlands RA.
AFA in the North West have been linking up with bands on the hard core scene over the last few months, and the response of bands and punters have far surpassed what we had hoped for. Initial contact with some of the prominent bands on the scene prompted a three gig benefit tour in late May. In preparation other gigs were leafleted while AFA stalls promoted the tour. 150 attended a 'highly politicised' AFA benefit in Manchester. Bradford, despite clashing with the European Cup Final, was also a success. The bands committed to doing the third gig, which had to be pulled due to venue problems are putting out a benefit CD for AFA instead. A second mini-tour is already planned to promote this CD.
RA in Scotland
APRIL 3: Red Action sale at Celtic park. AFA Benefit with band Recidivist in Edinburgh. Literature sold, money raised. May 15: over 60 copies of the RA Bulletin sold at Celtic Park followed by a joint Fighting Talk/RA sale outside Wolfe Tones concert. More political literature sold at another gig later in the evening. May 22: well over 1,000 Tal's sold outside Scottish Cup Final. June 5: James Connolly Society March in Edinburgh. Attended by a 50 strong Campaign Against Sectarian Attacks/AFA delegation. A bizzare request by some march stewards that CASA placards be taken down in case they might prove provocative to police was politely rejected. March leafletted and large number of FT,s sold. A small number of off-duty AFA members, socialising with friends, clashed with BNP/ICF (Rangers FC casuals) in Edinburgh city centre in the afternoon.
National Civil Rights Movement
LONDON AFA representatives attended the first steering group meeting of the recently launched National Civil Rights Movement held in London on May 16. A proposal that in addition to a legal/monitoring approach to race attacks (now running at 2, 000 a month in London alone) there was an obvious need for a political strategy and a working party should be set up to investigate thisÓ - was rejected. Or more accurately given that three or four conversations spontaneously broke out as the AFA delegate addressed the meeting - ignored. In addition, it also now clear that the title Civil Rights Movement' is also misleading. For a majority of the steering committee ambitions stretch no farther than securing government funding for a monitoring type project on a National scale. Nonetheless a national conference is planned for early September when the AFA proposals will be vigorously re-submitted.
Annual General Meeting
WEST MIDLANDS AFA held its AGM in north Birmingham on May 9. The well attended meeting voted unanimously to support all IWCA initiatives as an integral part of an ongoing strategy opposed to attempts by the BNP in BirmingHam and the Black Country to present itself as the radical alternative locally. A 17.3% BNP vote in Tipton, quadrupling that achieved by the nominal socialist candidate, shows militant anti-fascist concerns are well grounded. The regional AFA organiser told the meeting: The entire position in which we find ourselves is the logical conclusion of all the years we spent dismantling the BNP's street operation. We must now see it through to its natural course.
Celtic Supporters
RED ACTION Celtic FC supporters in the west Mids have joined forces with other Celtic fans in the region to launch a Tiocfaidh Ar La supporters club. The club will serve to link up supporters of the fanzine on both a social and political level throughout the Midlands area. If interested in getting involved make contact via Tal or West Midlands RA.
Reproduced from RA Vol 4, Issue 1, June/July '99
Point Blank, RA Vol 3, Issue 6, Apr/May '99
St. Patrick's Day
MIDLANDS - based supporters of the Republican fanzine Tiochfaidh ar la, caused controversy by leafleting the St. Patrick's day parade in Birmingham to highlight the eccentric decision of the parade organisers to allow the West Midlands Police pipe band onto the parade; a police force particularly notorious for their ill treatment of the local Irish community. The leaflet also pointed out that 'we have nothing more in common with the Irish businessmen or businesses who support or sponsor the event than we do the police (is it better to be shown the door by an Irish subby or a Brummy one?)'
Bhoys Against Bigotry
GLASGOW CELTIC football club sought to capitalise on the consistent work of Celtic Fans Against Fascism and Tiochfaidh Ar La fanzine, by hosting a conference entitled 'The Equality Goal' which sought to put on display the club's 'anti-racist' credentials, courting Asian businessmen, of whom a number were assembled to make up the 200 strong audience for the day. Once representatives from CFAF and the Campaign Against Sectarian Attacks were spotted in the audience, they were immediately approached and assurances demanded that they would 'behave' themselves. Meanwhile the club's chairman Fergus McCann, who had been billed as the main speaker, suddenly withdrew due to 'a mystery illness'. Celtic's PR man went on to proclaim that not only were 'Asians the new Irish' ie subject to systematic discrimination, but in line with this, the club felt free to continue with the forced removal of the last vestiges of sectarianism and bigotry (ie the singing of Irish rebel songs and displaying Irish tricolour flags) from the ground. It was left to a representative of CASA to point out that Celtic FC had done little to address the rampant racism of the mid-80s leaving it to people like him, and more recently nothing to address the real issue of sectarianism; the routine harassment, physical attack and even murder of Celtic fans by loyalist bigots travelling to and from the ground. Buttonholed later the PR man explained that the club's hostility on the issue was due to TAL's 'terrorist links'. Then visibly blanched when informed that TAL was increasing it's print run to 5,000 to deal with demand, putting his earlier triumphalist claims of imminent victory over the 'irreconcilables' into perspective. The biggest round of applause was reserved for former player Paul Elliot, who revealed that when playing for Charlton FC he reacted to sustained racial abuse by a rival player, by sticking one on him!
MIDLANDS - based supporters of the Republican fanzine Tiochfaidh ar la, caused controversy by leafleting the St. Patrick's day parade in Birmingham to highlight the eccentric decision of the parade organisers to allow the West Midlands Police pipe band onto the parade; a police force particularly notorious for their ill treatment of the local Irish community. The leaflet also pointed out that 'we have nothing more in common with the Irish businessmen or businesses who support or sponsor the event than we do the police (is it better to be shown the door by an Irish subby or a Brummy one?)'
Bhoys Against Bigotry
GLASGOW CELTIC football club sought to capitalise on the consistent work of Celtic Fans Against Fascism and Tiochfaidh Ar La fanzine, by hosting a conference entitled 'The Equality Goal' which sought to put on display the club's 'anti-racist' credentials, courting Asian businessmen, of whom a number were assembled to make up the 200 strong audience for the day. Once representatives from CFAF and the Campaign Against Sectarian Attacks were spotted in the audience, they were immediately approached and assurances demanded that they would 'behave' themselves. Meanwhile the club's chairman Fergus McCann, who had been billed as the main speaker, suddenly withdrew due to 'a mystery illness'. Celtic's PR man went on to proclaim that not only were 'Asians the new Irish' ie subject to systematic discrimination, but in line with this, the club felt free to continue with the forced removal of the last vestiges of sectarianism and bigotry (ie the singing of Irish rebel songs and displaying Irish tricolour flags) from the ground. It was left to a representative of CASA to point out that Celtic FC had done little to address the rampant racism of the mid-80s leaving it to people like him, and more recently nothing to address the real issue of sectarianism; the routine harassment, physical attack and even murder of Celtic fans by loyalist bigots travelling to and from the ground. Buttonholed later the PR man explained that the club's hostility on the issue was due to TAL's 'terrorist links'. Then visibly blanched when informed that TAL was increasing it's print run to 5,000 to deal with demand, putting his earlier triumphalist claims of imminent victory over the 'irreconcilables' into perspective. The biggest round of applause was reserved for former player Paul Elliot, who revealed that when playing for Charlton FC he reacted to sustained racial abuse by a rival player, by sticking one on him!
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 6, Apr/May '99
Point Blank, RA Vol 3, Issue 5, Feb/Mar '99
TAL Film Show
THE GLASGOW - based Republican fanzine Tiochfaidh ar la, hosted the British premier of 'War and Peace in Ireland' at the Rio Cinema in East London on December 12. This excellent film was introduced by its director Arthur MacCaig, having travelled from Europe especially for the occasion. Possibly because of being so close to Xmas, less that one hundred people saw the film. Nonetheless the occasion was useful in pulling parties interested in establishing a London branch of the TAL Supporters Club.
Newcastle... Engaging the Enemy
"NO MORE marches meetings punch-ups" is the BNP statement that heralded their new found direction. Except, someone obviously neglected to tell their Newcastle branch. So in December they turned up intent on disrupting a benefit organised by Newcastle AFA. Expecting it to be a surprise the 15 strong gang led by Simon Biggs were instead greeted at the gig's entrance by expectant AFA stewards. The initial exchange saw Biggs armed with a spring loaded cosh attempt a solo and near suicidal charge into AFA ranks. He managed to stay on his feet for approximately a full second and a half before going down under a welter of AFA blows. Meanwhile his cohorts, (apart from the two armed with ammonia who advanced half way) stayed put threatening all sorts if only the force field preventing them advancing could be broken down. To the horror of the ammonia wielders, AFA then counter attacked, and the 'squeezy merchants', bottles now empty, fled along with the rest pleading "no weapons" (from what course on 'street-fighting ethics' are they graduates ?) Possibly the most dangerous moment for the stewards was 'trying to get back into the gig with dozens of skinheads eager to engage the attackers fighting to get out!' The rest of the evening went off without a hitch with 'Red London; Red Alert; and Running Riot' entertaining a large and enthusiastic crowd.
AFA Addresses Race Seminar
IN DECEMBER an AFA representative addressed a day long seminar held on the Isle of Dogs east London on the issue of 'Racism and Race Attacks'. The seminar was attended by leading academics in the field, professional youth workers from east and south London, community activists from a far afield as Glasgow, and a delegate from a government sponsored national youth agency. Given the range of backgrounds and experiences it was striking how quickly an understanding was established. AFAs particular area of expertise was to explain the thinking behind the BNP's change of strategy, the reasons behind it and the possible consequences of it.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 5, Feb/Mar '99
THE GLASGOW - based Republican fanzine Tiochfaidh ar la, hosted the British premier of 'War and Peace in Ireland' at the Rio Cinema in East London on December 12. This excellent film was introduced by its director Arthur MacCaig, having travelled from Europe especially for the occasion. Possibly because of being so close to Xmas, less that one hundred people saw the film. Nonetheless the occasion was useful in pulling parties interested in establishing a London branch of the TAL Supporters Club.
Newcastle... Engaging the Enemy
"NO MORE marches meetings punch-ups" is the BNP statement that heralded their new found direction. Except, someone obviously neglected to tell their Newcastle branch. So in December they turned up intent on disrupting a benefit organised by Newcastle AFA. Expecting it to be a surprise the 15 strong gang led by Simon Biggs were instead greeted at the gig's entrance by expectant AFA stewards. The initial exchange saw Biggs armed with a spring loaded cosh attempt a solo and near suicidal charge into AFA ranks. He managed to stay on his feet for approximately a full second and a half before going down under a welter of AFA blows. Meanwhile his cohorts, (apart from the two armed with ammonia who advanced half way) stayed put threatening all sorts if only the force field preventing them advancing could be broken down. To the horror of the ammonia wielders, AFA then counter attacked, and the 'squeezy merchants', bottles now empty, fled along with the rest pleading "no weapons" (from what course on 'street-fighting ethics' are they graduates ?) Possibly the most dangerous moment for the stewards was 'trying to get back into the gig with dozens of skinheads eager to engage the attackers fighting to get out!' The rest of the evening went off without a hitch with 'Red London; Red Alert; and Running Riot' entertaining a large and enthusiastic crowd.
AFA Addresses Race Seminar
IN DECEMBER an AFA representative addressed a day long seminar held on the Isle of Dogs east London on the issue of 'Racism and Race Attacks'. The seminar was attended by leading academics in the field, professional youth workers from east and south London, community activists from a far afield as Glasgow, and a delegate from a government sponsored national youth agency. Given the range of backgrounds and experiences it was striking how quickly an understanding was established. AFAs particular area of expertise was to explain the thinking behind the BNP's change of strategy, the reasons behind it and the possible consequences of it.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 5, Feb/Mar '99
Point Blank, RA Vol 3, Issue 4, Dec '98/Jan '99
Camden Ban Lifted
In an out of court settlement the Camden Irish centre accepted that the unprecedented ban placed on Anti-Fascist Action, which led to the cancellation of the International Anti-Fascist conference at the venue in 1997, would be lifted. Additionally they agreed to pay AFA a four-figure sum for financial losses incurred. AFA spokesman, Joe Reilly, said that 'the settlement vindicates AFA's position that this ban had been implemented without any justification'.
AFA annual Cable St Commemoration
Over the weekend of 3-5 October AFA held its third annual Cable St. commemoration weekend of events. Events included a public meeting in Conway Hall, London, entitled 'Counter Revolution in Sight?' which heard from speakers of a number of campaigns around the country. Special guests were delegates from the German anti-fascist group, Rote Antifa (Berlin), who outlined the size of the challenge facing militant anti-fascists both on the streets and electorally. Formal discussions were also held with AFA representatives. A successful fund raising gig was held with the band 'Selecter' and a film show which featured the UK premieres of 'All Power To The People (history of the Black Panther Party)and the '43 Group'. The films were introduced by a veteran of the 43 Group and a former member of the Black Panther Party.
West Midlands AFA
AFA recently took to the streets of Redditch in response to BNP attempts to establish a foothold in the area on the back of local opposition to a planned mosque. Media reports that the BNP had sizeable support there were exposed as a fabrication by an impressive AFA mobilisation which saw the estate leafletted and the BNP return to the press demanding police protection. An AFA spokesman said 'We physically stopped BNP activities in Birmingham a few years ago and are more than willing to do the same again'. The BNP have not been seen since. (see Something We Said, page 12)
Glasgow & Manchester RA
After the recent relaunch Glasgow RA held its first public activity with a number of RA sales at Celtic Park, with 58 copies sold in a couple of hours. Manchester RA held a successful public meeting recently on the subject of the Irish peace process.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 4, Dec '98/Jan '99
In an out of court settlement the Camden Irish centre accepted that the unprecedented ban placed on Anti-Fascist Action, which led to the cancellation of the International Anti-Fascist conference at the venue in 1997, would be lifted. Additionally they agreed to pay AFA a four-figure sum for financial losses incurred. AFA spokesman, Joe Reilly, said that 'the settlement vindicates AFA's position that this ban had been implemented without any justification'.
AFA annual Cable St Commemoration
Over the weekend of 3-5 October AFA held its third annual Cable St. commemoration weekend of events. Events included a public meeting in Conway Hall, London, entitled 'Counter Revolution in Sight?' which heard from speakers of a number of campaigns around the country. Special guests were delegates from the German anti-fascist group, Rote Antifa (Berlin), who outlined the size of the challenge facing militant anti-fascists both on the streets and electorally. Formal discussions were also held with AFA representatives. A successful fund raising gig was held with the band 'Selecter' and a film show which featured the UK premieres of 'All Power To The People (history of the Black Panther Party)and the '43 Group'. The films were introduced by a veteran of the 43 Group and a former member of the Black Panther Party.
West Midlands AFA
AFA recently took to the streets of Redditch in response to BNP attempts to establish a foothold in the area on the back of local opposition to a planned mosque. Media reports that the BNP had sizeable support there were exposed as a fabrication by an impressive AFA mobilisation which saw the estate leafletted and the BNP return to the press demanding police protection. An AFA spokesman said 'We physically stopped BNP activities in Birmingham a few years ago and are more than willing to do the same again'. The BNP have not been seen since. (see Something We Said, page 12)
Glasgow & Manchester RA
After the recent relaunch Glasgow RA held its first public activity with a number of RA sales at Celtic Park, with 58 copies sold in a couple of hours. Manchester RA held a successful public meeting recently on the subject of the Irish peace process.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 4, Dec '98/Jan '99
Point Blank, RA Vol 3, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '98
West Midlands AFA
There has been an amalgamation of the West Mids National Democrats and at least one key NF organiser, under the BNP banner. New recruits have been drawn straight into high-level internal activity, and early signs are that the West Midlands and the Black Country in particular, are set to be a focal point for national BNP development. Intelligence work suggests a sizeable new Black Country branch and it's here that there's likely to be a concentration of activity, the likely area spans from Cannock, through to Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell. Notts AFA reported that a combination of fallout from the Leeds affair and lack of group direction had culminated in a poorly attended meeting where the group had apparently been dissolved. However the call for a regional gathering, given the West Mids situation, bought together all the elements still wishing to remain a part of AFA. A relaunch was proposed, similar to the June relaunch in the West Mids, with those present at this regional comprising the core. Mistakes and problems of recent times were discussed indepth, as well as measures that could be taken to ensure they weren't repeated.
Whilst the relaunches are essential now from a rearguard viewpoint, it's also imperative that any new initiatives take into account the fact that the physical strategy is by no means absolute, though it will always have validity when the opportunity arises. The goal posts have been shifted, which in many cases has made the old approach virtually redundant. West Mids BNP are as aware as London BNP of the effectiveness of the new 'Euro-Nationalist' approach, the fact that it takes the wind out of AFA's sails is a bonus for them. This means that AFA must politically orientate to the working class when mapping out its strategies - to fail to do so will mean resigning ourselves to the fate of Germany, where anti-fascists are locked in a bloody street war, while in the meantime fascists are busy taking council seats and preparing for government. West Mids BNP have already outlined their intentions to gravitate towards residents associations and grassroots community issues. The 'double edged sword' combination of both physical and ideological opposition must be more than just a soundbite - we have to learn from what has happened in Europe.
Red Action Relaunch in Scotland
RED ACTION in Scotland held an encouraging relaunch meeting in Glasgow recently. As well as integrating a number of new supporters and contacts, the successes and problems of the past were discussed at length. At the end of the meeting officers for the region were elected, some of them taking on posts for the first time.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '98
There has been an amalgamation of the West Mids National Democrats and at least one key NF organiser, under the BNP banner. New recruits have been drawn straight into high-level internal activity, and early signs are that the West Midlands and the Black Country in particular, are set to be a focal point for national BNP development. Intelligence work suggests a sizeable new Black Country branch and it's here that there's likely to be a concentration of activity, the likely area spans from Cannock, through to Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell. Notts AFA reported that a combination of fallout from the Leeds affair and lack of group direction had culminated in a poorly attended meeting where the group had apparently been dissolved. However the call for a regional gathering, given the West Mids situation, bought together all the elements still wishing to remain a part of AFA. A relaunch was proposed, similar to the June relaunch in the West Mids, with those present at this regional comprising the core. Mistakes and problems of recent times were discussed indepth, as well as measures that could be taken to ensure they weren't repeated.
Whilst the relaunches are essential now from a rearguard viewpoint, it's also imperative that any new initiatives take into account the fact that the physical strategy is by no means absolute, though it will always have validity when the opportunity arises. The goal posts have been shifted, which in many cases has made the old approach virtually redundant. West Mids BNP are as aware as London BNP of the effectiveness of the new 'Euro-Nationalist' approach, the fact that it takes the wind out of AFA's sails is a bonus for them. This means that AFA must politically orientate to the working class when mapping out its strategies - to fail to do so will mean resigning ourselves to the fate of Germany, where anti-fascists are locked in a bloody street war, while in the meantime fascists are busy taking council seats and preparing for government. West Mids BNP have already outlined their intentions to gravitate towards residents associations and grassroots community issues. The 'double edged sword' combination of both physical and ideological opposition must be more than just a soundbite - we have to learn from what has happened in Europe.
Red Action Relaunch in Scotland
RED ACTION in Scotland held an encouraging relaunch meeting in Glasgow recently. As well as integrating a number of new supporters and contacts, the successes and problems of the past were discussed at length. At the end of the meeting officers for the region were elected, some of them taking on posts for the first time.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 3, Oct/Nov '98
Point Blank, RA Vol 3, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '98
AFA in Germany
A leading AFA member recently spoke to German anti-fascists in Berlin. The Berlin meeting was attended by several groups including Friends of Ireland, Autonomen Kommunisten, Red Antifa Initiative, RotKapchen, Prinzlerberg Anti-Fascists and Antifa (Berlin). The discussions centred around the need for a working class analysis to be the driving force of anti-fascism in Europe. Most of the groups and individuals who attended the Berlin meeting are close to the AFA analysis of the struggle against fascism. However, in the context of the German anti-fascist scene, they appear to be in the minority. Unfortunately, right wing ideology has not just affected German society and institutions, it also appears to have pushed most of the German left - including some militant anti-fascist groups - to abandon the idea that the working class can become the force for progressive change in society. The AFA representative also spoke to anti-fascists among the St. Pauli fans in Hamburg who have also expressed an interest in AFA. One young St. Pauli skinhead commented: "The problem with the left wing people in Germany is that they no longer speak the language of the ordinary people." Another well-known anti-fascist football fan went further when he said: " They can't relate to working class people because few of them come from the working class themselves. The worst thing is that the left actually think that they are winning."
Defections in West Midlands
Midlands BNP are feathering the nest for the influx of realigning fascists that have gone over to their ranks in recent months. Prior to the May elections the West Mids National Democrats joined the BNP en masse, followed closely by Fullbrook fledgling Wayne Ashcroft, who had previously acted as a National Front organiser within the region. This will be the first time that fascists in the West Midlands have worked under one banner since the late 1970s, significant because that too was under a maligned Labour Government. At that time NF candidates contested virtually every electoral seat in the region, and harboured large pockets of support in many working class areas. AFA though are always willing and able to exercise the fine tradition of militant anti-fascism. The Midlands fascists are acutely aware of just how effective AFA can be, no matter what label they choose for themselves.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '98
A leading AFA member recently spoke to German anti-fascists in Berlin. The Berlin meeting was attended by several groups including Friends of Ireland, Autonomen Kommunisten, Red Antifa Initiative, RotKapchen, Prinzlerberg Anti-Fascists and Antifa (Berlin). The discussions centred around the need for a working class analysis to be the driving force of anti-fascism in Europe. Most of the groups and individuals who attended the Berlin meeting are close to the AFA analysis of the struggle against fascism. However, in the context of the German anti-fascist scene, they appear to be in the minority. Unfortunately, right wing ideology has not just affected German society and institutions, it also appears to have pushed most of the German left - including some militant anti-fascist groups - to abandon the idea that the working class can become the force for progressive change in society. The AFA representative also spoke to anti-fascists among the St. Pauli fans in Hamburg who have also expressed an interest in AFA. One young St. Pauli skinhead commented: "The problem with the left wing people in Germany is that they no longer speak the language of the ordinary people." Another well-known anti-fascist football fan went further when he said: " They can't relate to working class people because few of them come from the working class themselves. The worst thing is that the left actually think that they are winning."
Defections in West Midlands
Midlands BNP are feathering the nest for the influx of realigning fascists that have gone over to their ranks in recent months. Prior to the May elections the West Mids National Democrats joined the BNP en masse, followed closely by Fullbrook fledgling Wayne Ashcroft, who had previously acted as a National Front organiser within the region. This will be the first time that fascists in the West Midlands have worked under one banner since the late 1970s, significant because that too was under a maligned Labour Government. At that time NF candidates contested virtually every electoral seat in the region, and harboured large pockets of support in many working class areas. AFA though are always willing and able to exercise the fine tradition of militant anti-fascism. The Midlands fascists are acutely aware of just how effective AFA can be, no matter what label they choose for themselves.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 2, Aug/Sept '98
Point Blank, RA Vol 3, Issue 1, June/July '98
Bloody Sunday
Rumours circulating in far-right circles that a significant group of fascists and loyalists would be coming into the N. London area to confront the annual Bloody Sunday march drew an impressive response from AFA militants. Equally impressive was the turn out of the 'Met' who placed one hundred of their finest in the Archway area at precisely 11am to coincide with AFA's arrival. The occasion was used to extend and update what must already be a formidable 'rogues gallery. It was made quite clear from the beginning that it was AFA, rather than the 'IRA' march or the NF counter demonstration (both of whom cooperated fully with the police) who were the primary target of the security operation. Significantly, when dusk fell and events were coordinated without the use of mobile phones, police intelligence and bravado ebbed sharply. Consequently, on at least two occasions, fascists who should have known better loitered in the area and came close to having the frustration of the 100-strong AFA stewards group visited upon them.
Dover March
On 28.2.98 the NF held their second march in Dover against the presence of Romany asylum seekers. Over 300 Police were on hand to protect the 30 NF members who were bussed in. And after their stroll along the promenade bussed out. Given that everyone knew it would be a numbers game on the day the ANL turn-out comprised of little more than a few skinny students. This suggests that (a) they clearly weren't up for even formal demos and/or (b) they exist on paper only.
Given that the police greatly outnumbered the 150-strong anti-fascists, the 20 arrests on the day were entirely gratuitous. In addition the occasion was once again used to mount a huge intelligence gathering operation.
Sectarian Attacks
Following a mass leaflet outside the ground of Glasgow Celtic FC, an organising meeting to discuss the appropriate response to loyalist inspired sectarian attacks was held. Despite an orchestrated campaign by sections of the media, Fergus McCann (Celtic Chairman) and the police to the effect that RA were operating to a 'hidden agenda' over 80 Celtic supporters turned-out to discuss the campaigns next step. To warm applause an AFA spokesperson pointed out: 'The press are rarely on the side of those who stand up to such hatred. The mere mention that people should be prepared to physically defend themselves is enough for the press to turn victims into aggressors, the architects of their own misfortune.It is expected a formal committee will be in place for next season.
Aston Villa FC
Red Action members are lending support to the Villa Fans Against Loyalism and Fascism initiative. Matchday sales of the anti-fascist fanzine Well Prepared have been good and there's been an encouraging response from Villa supporters.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 1, June/July '98
Rumours circulating in far-right circles that a significant group of fascists and loyalists would be coming into the N. London area to confront the annual Bloody Sunday march drew an impressive response from AFA militants. Equally impressive was the turn out of the 'Met' who placed one hundred of their finest in the Archway area at precisely 11am to coincide with AFA's arrival. The occasion was used to extend and update what must already be a formidable 'rogues gallery. It was made quite clear from the beginning that it was AFA, rather than the 'IRA' march or the NF counter demonstration (both of whom cooperated fully with the police) who were the primary target of the security operation. Significantly, when dusk fell and events were coordinated without the use of mobile phones, police intelligence and bravado ebbed sharply. Consequently, on at least two occasions, fascists who should have known better loitered in the area and came close to having the frustration of the 100-strong AFA stewards group visited upon them.
Dover March
On 28.2.98 the NF held their second march in Dover against the presence of Romany asylum seekers. Over 300 Police were on hand to protect the 30 NF members who were bussed in. And after their stroll along the promenade bussed out. Given that everyone knew it would be a numbers game on the day the ANL turn-out comprised of little more than a few skinny students. This suggests that (a) they clearly weren't up for even formal demos and/or (b) they exist on paper only.
Given that the police greatly outnumbered the 150-strong anti-fascists, the 20 arrests on the day were entirely gratuitous. In addition the occasion was once again used to mount a huge intelligence gathering operation.
Sectarian Attacks
Following a mass leaflet outside the ground of Glasgow Celtic FC, an organising meeting to discuss the appropriate response to loyalist inspired sectarian attacks was held. Despite an orchestrated campaign by sections of the media, Fergus McCann (Celtic Chairman) and the police to the effect that RA were operating to a 'hidden agenda' over 80 Celtic supporters turned-out to discuss the campaigns next step. To warm applause an AFA spokesperson pointed out: 'The press are rarely on the side of those who stand up to such hatred. The mere mention that people should be prepared to physically defend themselves is enough for the press to turn victims into aggressors, the architects of their own misfortune.It is expected a formal committee will be in place for next season.
Aston Villa FC
Red Action members are lending support to the Villa Fans Against Loyalism and Fascism initiative. Matchday sales of the anti-fascist fanzine Well Prepared have been good and there's been an encouraging response from Villa supporters.
Reproduced from RA Vol 3, Issue 1, June/July '98
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