Say No to the EDL in Bolton! Saturday 20th March

The racist hooligans of the English Defence League plan to descend on Bolton to terrorise ethnic minorities. Unite Against Fascism has called a national counter demonstration for all those who want to defend our multiracial society against the EDL's thuggery and violence.

The EDL visited Manchester in October and desecrated Muslim graves in the area. Then in January the EDL went to Stoke-on-Trent and the words "Islam scum" and "EDL" were daubed on a local mosque.

However, the Scottish Defence League tried to march on Edinburgh (Saturday 20th Feb 2010) and were stopped by a large gathering of 2000 anti-facists, trade unionists, students, lgbt groups and religious groups. Weyman Bennett, chair of UAF, said, “Today marks a turning point. The EDL and their sister organisations in Scotland and Wales said they could march anywhere. Well, today, we showed them that they can’t.”

If we stand united in large numbers we can stop the EDL threatening our community's. We have beaten the facists before and can do it again.

A coach will be leaving Finsbury Park to take all those who want to oppose the facists and want to protect our society. Email uafnorthlondon@googlemail.com to buy your ticket - only £16 return!

Full story plus the Bolton Unity Statement - http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=100219

UAF Conference - a big success!

Over 600 people attended Saturday's conference to discuss how to take forward the campaign against the British National Party at the local and general elections this year.

Workshop sessions covered topics such as stopping the English Defence League, tackling racism and Islamophobia, and building anti-fascist campaigns in the workplace. The Love Music Hate Racism session unveiled plans for a series of anti-racist music festivals to take place across the country later this year.

Speakers at the conference included Margaret Hodge MP, Ken Livingstone, Dawn Butler MP, as well as Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism. They stressed the importance of campaigning against the BNP in Barking, Stoke and other areas targeted by the fascists, while also mobilising to stop the threat of the English Defence League and other racist hooligan groups.

Margaret Hodge is MP for Barking, where BNP leader Nick Griffin is running for parliament. She told the conference: "The BNP is a vicious and evil party. They are bringing fear into the borough. The battle is on in Barking & Dagenham – but this is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to take them on and show that there is no place for the BNP in this country."

Ken Livingstone said: "We need to recognise there has been a surge in racism as result of the BNP electoral breakthrough last June. The EDL demonstration in Stoke last month was a fascist riot. We cannot let mainstream parties pander to prejudice and use dogwhistle politics. Don't give an inch to Islamophobia or racism."

Weyman Bennett said: "We face a fight on two fronts – against the Nazi BNP at the ballot box and against the EDL's racist thugs on our streets. We need to get everyone who opposes the racists and fascists to come to Bolton on 20 March to stop the EDL, and to Barking and Stoke in coming weeks to stop the BNP at the elections."

Get in contact now to get involved!

UAF Conference this Saturday!

Remember sign up for the UAF Conference this Saturday. The day starts at 9.30am at the TUC Congress Centre in Central London, closest tube station is Tottenham Court Road. It is set to be a great day with a wide range of brilliant speakers attending.

UAF North London will have a caucus during the lunch break so that we can organise what we will do together over the next few months.

Book your place now at http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=91217

Stop Nazi Nick in Barking this Saturday 6th February

This Saturday, UAF are holding a Day of Action in Barking to help stop Nazi Nick who is trying to gain a seat in Barking & Dagenham.

Our last day of action in Dagenham saw some 200 anti-facist turn up. Caroline from the Barking Says No campaign. "We're really grateful that so many people came to support to support our efforts in fighting the far right and their political agenda in this borough. I'd urge everyone to come along next time to help the local community in Barking say no to the BNP".

We are meeting at 1pm sharp at Barking tube station - come along for a couple of hours and help do your bit to knock back the Nazi BNP!

Sign up for the UAF Conference 2010

Unite Against Fascism is holding its annual national conference on Saturday 13 February at the TUC Congress Centre in central London.

This will be a crucial event for everyone who opposes the fascist British National Party and wants to prevent it from making gains at the next general and local elections. It will also be a focus for all those resisting the rise of racist anti-Muslim groups such as the English Defence League.

The last year has seen the rise of the BNP - gaining 2 MEP's, Griffin on Question Time and now Griffin is standing to be an MP in Barking. BUT the BNP have not gone unopposed - UAF have mobilised large, high-profile demonstrations to fight the BNP. Also UAF groups across the country have regularly opposed the EDL in cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

The next six months will be vital for turning the tide against the fascists. UAF stands for uniting everyone who wants to fight back against the BNP and EDL - black and white, gay and straight, people of all religions and none. Come along to our conference and find out how to join the movement.

More info http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=91217