Islington UAF - Launch Public Meeting

Unite Against Fascism

Celebrate Diversity
Defend Multiculturalism
Oppose Islamophobia
and Racism

Islington UAF will be holding a launch public meeting on Wednesday January 25th at 7pm in Finsbury Park Mosque (7-11 St Thomas’s Road N4 2QH). There is Disabled Access with internet @ Finspace 225-229 Seven Sisters Rd, N4.

The meeting is supported by Islington Trades Council, Finsbury Park Mosque, Islington Hands Off Our Public Services and Muslim Welfare House.
All are welcome to attend.

Speakers will include;

• Jeremy Corbyn (MP for Islington North)

• Imam Ahmed Saad (Finsbury Park Mosque)

• Emily Thornberry (MP for Islington South & Finsbury)

• Hassan Mahamdallie (Editor, 'Defending Multiculturalism)

• Catherine West (Leader, Islington Council)

• Rev. Jennifer Potter (Chair, Islington Inter Faith Forum)

• Weyman Bennett (Joint National Secretary, Unite Against Fascism)

• Mark Campbell (Chair London Met UCU & UCU NEC)

Click here to download a copy of the leaflet for the meeting. Please distribute.

Say NO to Nazi Bands in north London!

More than 40 anti-fascists picketed the Slimelight (Electrawerkz) club on Saturday night (25^th June). The Islington venue hosted Sol Invictus and a number of bands with known fascist links. Slimelight’s manager May Uan Mak refused to cancel the concert despite telling a local reporter:

“These bands do have clear fascist connections…It would be impossible for me to deny that...Art can be fascist too. The fascist language can be just as powerful as any other language”

Many local residents passing by were shocked that such a concert headlined by a band that includes one member, Andrew King who recently released a song that includes lyrics about “monkey men” and “only the smell of blood will smother the smell of subhuman dung” and concludes “you’ll never kill the Aryan soul…White man was born for battle” should be taking place in their borough and a number joined the picket.

Although many going to the concert were unaware of Sol Invictus’ history, worryingly there were a number of concert-goers that sported swastikas and SS uniforms and were a direct insult and a threat to every Jew, Muslim, Black, Asian, gay and lesbian trade unionist and socialist who were horrified by the symbols of the Nazis that were responsible for the Holocaust that exterminated millions in Germany in the lead up and during the Second World War. An Islington councillor, James Murray spoke to the protestors promising that he would support the campaign to stop any fascist concerts taking place in the borough in the future.

Despite the protests, more bands stuffed with fascist sympathisers are billed to play at Slimelight on 1^stOctober. Headlining in October are Sutcliffe Jugend, led by Kevin Tomkins, who plays with a band called Whitehouse. Whitehouse leader William Bennett is quoted as saying how Whitehouse are "concerned with the struggle against the unhealthy Negroid influence in popular music". Another Whitehouse member Peter Sotos was convicted for possessing child pornography after he was busted by Chicago PD for producing a fanzine called Pure, in which Sotos says "females are dogs whose only worth is as pawns for my pleasure" and describes death camps as "Triumphs of Nazism". The local trades council, teachers, civil servants, lecturers and health service unions in Islington have pledged to back the campaign to stop Slimelight management allowing fascist bands a platform in the area.

LoveMusicHateRacism and Unite Against Fascism will continue to oppose the actions of Slimelight management, and will campaign for the cancellation of the gig in October.

We are holding a organising meeting at 7.30PM this Thursday July 14th at the Pleasance Bar (Near Caledonian Road Station). We invite all anti-racists and anti-fascists to attend.

Please contact LMHR north London: northlondon.lmhr@googlemail.com if you plan to attend.

Also.

National demo against racist EDL in Tower Hamlets: Saturday September 3rd.

Unite Against Fascism, together with United East End and other community organisations, is calling a national demonstration against the racist English Defence League on Saturday September 3rd.

Go here to download leaflets

The EDL is threatening to come to Tower Hamlets that day to spread race hatred and attack the local Muslim community.

Last year, around 5,000 people marched through Tower Hamlets in an impressive show of strength and unity against the EDL, although the racists had already been forced to call off their own protest, admitting it would be “a suicide mission” to attempt to march through London’s East End.

The East End of London has a fine tradition of standing up to racists and fascists. Local people blocked Mosley’s Blackshirts in the 1930s. They drove the BNP out of the borough in the 1990s.

More details of the 3 September anti-EDL demonstration will be released in due course following consultation with community and antiracist organisations.

Please note this date has changed – the event is no longer scheduled for August.

Say NO to Nazi Bands in north London!

On Saturday 25th June, the Slimelight club in Islington will host a concert featuring bands with a history of fascist and racist links.


Love Music Hate Racism approached the Slimelight management, asking them to cancel the event because we believe racisma nd fascism have no place in our community. Hosting such events gives encouragement to racists and violent thugs everywhere.

Slimelight have refused to cancel.

Slimelight’s owner, May Uan Mak, insists the gig must go ahead, despite knowing the history and views of the bands, saying: “These bands do have clear fascist connections... It would be impossible for me to deny that” and “art can be fascist too. The fascist language can be just as powerful as any other language.”

Tony Wakeford, founder of the headlining group Sol Invictus, was an activist in the National Front. Since then, he has taken part in initiatives supporting the extreme right. He has often worked with known fascists, such as Michael Moynihan, who published a book which celebrates the random killing of Jews and mixed-race couples. One member of his band, Andrew King recently released a recording of a song with lyrics about “monkey men” and “only the smell of blood will smother the smell of subhuman dung”, and concludes: “you’ll never kill the Aryan soul... White man was born for battle”?

We believe that the majority attending the gig will not be racists or fascists, nor
be aware of the extrreme right wing links shared by Sol Invictus and their support acts.

This is certainly the case for most people who use and enjoy the venue on other nights.

We appeal to those fans to join Love Music Hate Racism, anti-racist groups, trade unionists, local activists and the diverse community in Islington in condemning this concert.

We believe that such associations are reason enough not to allow this concert to go ahead. We also believe that the vast majority of Slimelight fans reject the vile
beliefs of racists, and we call on them to join us in telling Slimelight to cancel the
concert."

SAY NO TO RASCISM AND FASCISM AT SLIMELIGHT!

Islington South Labour MP Emily Thornberry says: “It’s a shame and a disgrace that these peddlers of poison are playing in Islington. We have a proud history of tolerance in this borough”.

Contact Love Music Hate Racism on 020 7801 2781 or email northlondon.lmhr@gmail.com to get involved, or just come to show your support and help keep our streets racist-free.

Slimelight (Electrowerkz)
7 Torrens Street, Islington
Saturday June 25th 7pm

Billy Bragg heads list opposing Cameron on multiculturalism

Thursday 10 February 2011

Billy Bragg heads list opposing Cameron on multiculturalism

Musician Billy Bragg, Comedian Mark Steel, NAPO general secretary Jonathan Ledger and Elaine Smith MSP head the list of people who have signed a petition opposing David Cameron’s attack on multiculturalism.

Hundreds of other people have also added their names to the petition, launched yesterday, after Cameron’s attack on multiculturalism and Britain’s Muslims sparked outrage.

>> Add your name and pass on this link http://is.gd/multicultural

Here are just some of the petition signatories today

Billy Bragg musician, Asian Dub Foundation band, Mark Steel comedian/writer, Tim Wilson national chair NAPO, Jonathan Ledger general secretary NAPO, Elaine Smith Member of Scottish Parliament, George Hickman national committee Unite/GPM, Clive Dixon chair Jaguar Land Rover Unite branch 5/590, Abjol Miah national chair Respect, Sarah Soyei Show Racism the Red Card, Mark Dolan CWU London Area rep, Salah Beltagui convenor Muslim Council of Scotland, Andy Lawson branch secretary PCS DWP North London, Cllr Nick Forbes Labour group leader Newcastle City Council, Duale Yusuf chair Somali Youth Congress, Kevin Deegan-Hall NORSCARF, Paul Mackney former general secretary UCU, Kambiz Boomla GP, Jim Board branch secretary Doncater Unison, Jolyon Jones branch secretary Solihull Local Government, Paul Brandon chair Right to Work campaign, Barry Levine Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, Ali Ahmed treasurer Bangladesh Association, Cardiff, Dave Rogers artistic director, Banner Theatre.

London Transport to Luton on 5th February

Please note, the departure time has been revised for transport to Luton.

Calling all London UAF supporters:

Transport for Luton will now be leaving London at 8.30am, from York Way, London N1 (Kings Cross tube station).

Please contact the UAF North London to reserve your place (£6.50 per seat).

email: northlondon@uaf.org.uk
call: 07818553443

All antiracists and antifascists should be in Luton on Sat 5 Feb

Wednesday 12 January 2011

All antiracists and antifascists should be in Luton on Sat 5 Feb

UAF is calling on antiracists and antifascists across the country to mobilise against the English Defence League in Luton on Saturday 5 February.

The EDL, a violent racist organisation with links to the British National Party and other fascist groups, has called a ‘protest’ on that day – they describe it as going ‘back where it all began’.

It is clear what they mean: the EDL was formed after masked racist thugs went on the rampage through Luton last year, attacking Asian residents and spreading fear and intimidation.

That is the reason they are targeting Luton again – their own publicity is designed to remind its supporters of their hate-filled history. They claim Luton will be their biggest demonstration yet.

They are refusing to cooperate with police and EDL divisions are planning to split up and roam around the town in groups to threaten and intimidate local residents, especially Muslims. Their aim is to go on the rampage again.

UAF believes we need to have a peaceful counter-protest that makes it clear racists aren’t welcome in Luton. We are urging people to gather in Luton town centre for a peaceful counter-protest.

Assemble: 12 noon, George Square, Luton

We will also be supporting local people who will be gathering in the Bury Park area, where many local Muslims live, to help defend local homes and places of worship.

UAF national officer Martin Smith said:

It’s time now to make a stand. We cannot allow racists to rampage through our towns, threatening and attacking Muslims or anyone else. We urge all antiracists and antifascists to come to Luton on 5 February, in the largest possible numbers.

Local UAF groups should organise transport to be in Luton by midday and to leave the town no earlier than 4pm.

Where antiracists and antifascists have turned out in numbers to show their opposition to the EDL and to support our diverse, multicultural communities, the EDL has been unable to run rampage as it did in Luton last year.

We need to build the widest possible opposition to the EDL and their anti-Muslim racism and violence. We need to stand up for unity in our community.

>> Read the statement supporting the Luton demo
>> Download leaflets
>> Read more about the Luton demo

Getting to Luton

We will have transport details from around the country shortly.

London UAF groups will be meeting up at York Way, next to Kings Cross station, at at 10.30am and will leave for Luton at 11am sharp. Please bring £6.50 towards transport costs if you are coming from London.

Photo: Balaclava-clad racists in Luton, May 2009. Copyright: Martin Spooner

EDL backs down on Terry Jones: now stop home-grown racists

The English Defence League has backed down over its plans to invite Terry Jones – the anti-Muslim racist US pastor who sparked international outrage with calls to burn the Qur’an – to its demonstration in Luton on Saturday 5 February.

Jones is pastor of a church with just 50 members but his call to burn the Qur’an on the anniversary of 9/11 made him a key figure for anti-Muslim racists around the world.

The EDL, an organisation of racist thugs with links to the British National Party and other fascist groups, had boasted it was “proud to announce” that vicious racist and homophobic bigot Jones would speak at its demonstration in Luton on 5 February.

Backtrack

But the EDL has been forced to backtrack after its announcement sparked widespread revulsion among the public in Britain and abroad. The racist thugs did not have the confidence to carry through their invitation.

It has been reported that home secretary Teresa May was considering a ban on Jones. But that is not why the EDL backed off – home office bans on EDL marches in Bradford, Leicester and elsewhere have done nothing to stop the EDL from mobilising.

The EDL includes hardcore fascists who periodically try to “harden up” its racist support. From time to time, they test the water to see how far they can push their violent racism.

Mobilise

Where they have been pushed back this has been because the vast majority of ordinary people reject the EDL’s racism and violence and because antiracists and antifascists have been prepared to mobilise against them and demonstrate that opposition on the streets.

That is why it is essential that antiracists and antifascists turn out again to oppose the EDL in Luton on Saturday 5 February, when UAF is organising a major demonstration against them.

The EDL was formed after masked racist thugs went on the rampage through Luton last year, attacking Asian residents and spreading fear and intimidation.

That is the reason they are targeting Luton again – their own publicity is designed to remind its supporters of their hate-filled history.

Home-grown racists

The invite to US pastor Terry Jones was designed to whip up publicity for the EDL – but he is not the main event. The problem in this country is the home-grown racists of the EDL.

We need to build the widest possible opposition to the EDL and their anti-Muslim racism and violence.

The campaign to push back the EDL and marginalise their racist hatred must not be scaled back because Terry Jones will no longer be coming. Let’s show the EDL they are not wanted here either.

Saturday 6 November national demo: march route

The national demo against racism, fascism and Islamophobia on Saturday 6 November will march through central London to parliament.

The demo has been called by UAF and our sister campaign Love Music Hate Racism, and backed by the TUC and the Muslim Council of Britain, along with a host of trade unions, artists, musicians, writers and community organisations.

Come and show your opposition to the racists of the English Defence League (EDL) and the fascists of the British National Party (BNP)!

UAF North London Public Meeting - CHANGE OF DATE

Dear All,

Due to a number of events happening in north London on the Monday 18th of October, the UAF North London Public Meeting will now take place the following week, on Monday 25th of October at 7PM.

The Venue is unchanged.

Tottenham Chances, 399 Tottenham High Road, N17 6QN

We continue to build for the National Demonstration against Racism and Islamophobia on November 6th.

In the past week the Green Party have endorsed the event, joining the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Muslim Council of Britain. This broadening of support is of vital importance to the success of the demonstration, as is your support.

The scenes in Leicester this weekend clearly demonstrate the need for unity in the face of racism and Islamophobia. On Saturday the English Defence League descended on Leicester, attacking Police, Journalists, and Black and Asian people. The EDL have held over 30 demonstrations nationwide this year, bringing hate and violence with them. Over 800 local anti-racists joined the UAF demonstration in Leicester, with many more having to protect their community and places of worship.

We must not be complacent. The EDL and the Nazi BNP will not go away if we ignore them, we must show them that we oppose their poisonous ideas. November 6th is our chance to build momentum in the campaign against racism and fascism.

Contact UAF North London to get involved. We hope to see you at the public meeting.

uafnorthlondon@googlemail.com

UAF North London Public Meeting

NORTH LONDON PUBLIC MEETING

MONDAY 18^th October 7PM

Tottenham Chances

399 Tottenham High Road

N17 6QN

Racism, Fascism, and Islamophobia are persistent threats to the unity of our communities in North London. We have beaten back the Nazi BNP in Barking, and continue to oppose the Racist English Defence League nationally. However, the economic crisis is seeing scapegoating on the increase. Immigration controls, deportations and further attacks on the rights of asylum seekers is being encouraged by the media and politicians alike. It is of vital importance that we continue to show our unity and oppose intolerance at every turn.

On Saturday 6^th November Unite Against Fascism and Love Music Hate Racism, supported by the Muslim Council of Britain and the TUC, will coordinate a national march and carnival against racism, fascism and Islamophobia in Central London.

http://uaf.org.uk/2010/09/add-your-support-for-6-nov-antiracist-demo/

North London UAF will hold a Public Meeting on Monday 18^th of October at Tottenham Chances to bring together all those who would oppose these evils in society. We must defend our multicultural community, our individual freedom to worship, and not be divided by hate and intolerance.

All are invited to attend. Also, we require volunteers to leaflet and staff UAF stalls, please contact uafnorthlondon@googlemail.com for more information.

Why it is right to peacefully oppose the EDL in Bradford on 28th August

It is important that we oppose the EDL and stop them intimidating and terrorising communities. Please make sure you have booked your coach ticket to Bradford so that we can stop the EDL - email northlondon@uaf.org.uk for details.
http://uaf.org.uk/2010/08/why-it-is-right-to-peacefully-oppose-the-edl-in-bradford/

Keep Barking and Dagenham Nazi free!

Barking and Dagenham Unite Against Fascism is organising a day of action on Saturday 26 June, to make sure we keep the Nazi British National Party out of the borough when voters go to the polls for a by-election.

A by-election will be taking place for a council seat in Barking and Dagenham’s Goresbrook ward on Thursday 8 July.

A massive campaign by antifascists drove the BNP off the council in May – they lost all 12 of their seats and their leader, Nick Griffin, was humiliated in his attempt to take the Barking parliamentary seat, coming in third with a reduced share of the vote.

Now we need to make sure we keep the borough Nazi-fre and don’t let the BNP sneak back in at the by-election.

Day of action details
Meet 11am, Saturday 26 June at Jazzie Jake Caribbean Grill, 8-10 North St, Barking IG11 (nearest tube and railway station: Barking)

We are calling on everyone who helped in the recent election campaign to get involved. For more information email barkingdagenham@uaf.org.uk or call 07969 630 056.

Please come along and bring friends and colleagues!

By-election: keep the Nazi BNP out of Barking

East London's Barking and Dagenham council has announced a by-election in the Goresbrook ward. It is expected to take place in early July.

Due to a technical error, Louise Couling – one of the Labour councillors elected last month when the BNP were booted out of the borough – has been forced to resign.

The recent success against the Nazi BNP in the local and national elections in Barking and Dagenham has proved the power of the anti-fascist majority.

But as they have done in the past, the Nazi BNP will try to use the by-election to regain a foothold in the area. We cannot let them sneak back in through the back door.

Unite Against Fascism is organising a series of events – including leafleting, canvassing and a cultural event – in the Goresbrook ward to ensure the fascist BNP is kept out of the borough.

We are calling on everyone who helped in the recent election campaign to get involved. For more information contact Barking & Dagenham UAF on barkingdagenham@uaf.org.uk

Relief as BNP pulls plug on annual Red, White and Blue festival

Full article available here: http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/crime/Relief-BNP-pulls-plug-annual-festival/article-2256609-detail/article.html

Hodge: Unite Against Fascism ‘vital’ to beating BNP’s Griffin in Barking

Barking’s MP Margaret Hodge has acknowledged the contribution of campaign group Unite Against Fascism in the resounding election defeat of Nazi BNP leader Nick Griffin and his party’s council candidates.

Hodge said: “Unite Against Fascism was part of the winning strategy in Barking which focused on those areas where the BNP were strongest. Our emphatic victory on 6 May in the local and general elections is a reflection of the support we received from Unite Against Fascism who made a vital contribution to the campaign to drive the BNP out of Barking.”

She added: “UAF put in months of work that began before the elections. They knocked on thousands of doors and distributed many more leaflets. This helped to mobilise to beat the BNP and increase voter turnout which made such a difference in reducing the BNP’s vote.”

Hodge’s comments are cited in a post-election briefing on the UAF campaign.

Longstanding antifascist campaigner Peter Hain MP also praised the UAF campaign, saying: “The BNP's Achilles heel is that they live in the Nazi hinterland. Labelling them as Nazis was a central factor in defeating the BNP. It's great to see UAF organising like the Anti Nazi League.”

Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary of UAF, added: “The BNP has experienced its first defeat since electoral rise from the 2001 general election. It has lost 27 councillors - including 12 in Barking and Dagenham , held only 2 council seats and gained none.

“A big factor in the BNP's defeat was the rise in voter turnout because the local elections coincided with the general election so the BNP's vote was squeezed. However UAF's role was crucial because the BNP suffered a setback in the its key target areas of Barking, Stoke and Dudley where the BNP's vote was reduced from 2005 and UAF prioritised campaigning in these areas.”

Drubbing at the ballot box

In his introduction to the document, UAF joint secretary Weyman Bennett said: “The best news of the election was the drubbing the Nazi BNP received at the ballot box. First came the shattering defeat of Nick Griffin in Barking and Dagenham constituency in East London. In the BNP’s number one target seat and one which they thought they could win, Griffin came third with 6,620 votes (14.6% of the vote). Labour’s Margaret Hodge won with 24,628 votes (54.3% of the vote). Then came the glorious news that the BNP had lost every single seat it held on Barking council.

“This massive set back for the BNP was repeated around the country. It lost the large majority of the 31 council seats they were defending at these elections. They retained a seat in Pendle, but they lost the other 8 seats they stood for in the area. In Stoke, where Griffin bragged the BNP would take control of the council the BNP lost every seat including their three councillors up for re-election. They now have just four councillors on Stoke council. In Burnley the BNP lost all ten seats they were standing in, including the one seat up for re-election. Again in Barnsley they failed to win any seats, and in Sandwell the BNP lost two sitting councillors.

“Over the last two months hundreds of Unite Against Fascism activists campaigned, leafleted and canvassed in Barking. Across the country millions UAF leaflets were distributed, in Barnsley over 8,000 people attended the Love Music Hate Racism carnival and our anti BNP advan toured the country.”

Warning note

But Bennett also sounded a warning note, saying: “We must not be complacent. The BNP still got a worrying 563,743 votes across the country — and the combined vote of the BNP and UKIP was 1.6 million. The BNP are not going to disappear. The election setback for the BNP has seen tensions rise inside the organisation: there are a number of key members of the BNP calling for the head of Nick Griffin. There is also a strong possibility that sections of the BNP will be further drawn towards the racist street thugs of the English Defence League.”

Only 8 days left till the general election!

In the last few days we need one big push to make sure we have done our best to stop the Nazi BNP making any gains in the upcoming general and local elections. Please come along to at least one of the events on the list and send me an email to say what you can come to.

Thursday 29th April - 9.30am "Love Marmite Hate the BNP" at the Royal Courtsof Justice, nearest tube Holborn. Unilever are taking the BNP to court re the Nazis alleged use of the Marmite brand in their recent party political broadcast. The fascist BNP have called for their supporters to attend as Fuhrer Nick Griffin will be heading up the Nazis' 'defence'. Lets join together in a show of unity against them polluting our streets with their hate. Please spread the word and bring banners,

Friday 30th April - 5.30 pm leaflet Finsbury Park tube for gig (if you can do your local tube, I can send you the leaflets to print off)

Saturday 1st May - 11.30am UAF Day of Action in Turkey Street. The BNP are standing an MP for this area, we need to show that they are not welcome. Meet at 11.30 am at Turkey Street station, we will have a stall outside the station where people can help. We will also be leafleting houses Hertford Road.

Saturday 1st May - 8pm Love Music Hate Racism gig at The World's End, Finsbury Park with the Counterfeit Beatles (flyer attached)

Sunday 2nd May - ALL OUT FOR BARKING Unite Against Fascism Day of Action
Stop Nick Griffin's bid to become Barking's MP and the Nazis taking over Barking/Dagenham Council; meet from 11am at Jazzie Jake Restaurant, North St, Barking, 1g11, nearest tube BARKING. for more details call 07969 630056.

Please email uafnorthlondon@gmail.com to confirm what events you can attend.

Dudley celebrates multi-culturalism and rejects the race hatred of the EDL

On Saturday a number of coaches travelled from across the country to show solidarity with Dudley as Unite Against Facism held "One Dudley Many Cultures".

The carnival was brilliant with a wide range of speakers from Trade Unions and the inter-faith forum including David Walker, Bishop of Dudley, Cllr Pete Lowe, Lye & Wollescote, Khushid Ahmed, chair of Dudley Muslim Association, Steve Beardsmore, Unison, Jim Warner, Dudley Trades Council. Also, we were kept entertained with Dj's, drummers and other musicians.

In contrast, the EDL were marched to a disused car park on the edge of town. There were several violent clashes as they attempted to break through police lines to run riot through the town. Witnesses describe hearing several vile anti-Muslim chants from the EDL, including: "If you build your f—king mosque, we'll burn it down."

Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of UAF, said: "Today was a success for anti-racists and anti-fascists. The EDL were forced to huddle in a car park on the edge of town. They showed their true colours when they unsuccessfully tried to break out and run riot. In contrast UAF and local anti-racist groups mounted a powerful show of unity against the EDL and their friends in the Nazi BNP.

"The policing of today's events in Dudley stands in sharp contrast to tactics used in Bolton two weeks ago. There the police marched the EDL into the centre of town and attacked the anti-racist protest. In Dudley the EDL were not allowed into the town centre and the anti-racist protest was allowed to go ahead unmolested. The authorities should take note when policing future such events."

From Dudley news - EDl begin to riot and get out of the police kettle, whilst police stand by: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf_ttJjxtL0&feature=related

Video of the EDl rioting and the police condemning the EDL, also showing the UAF peaceful demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPUdBArUntw

All who oppose EDL need to take a stand. Join Unite Aganist Facism and get involved.

Victory in Bolton and the upcoming events

On Saturday 50 people from North London travelled up to Bolton to join 3000 UAF protesters from across the country who successfully opposed the racist English Defence League's anti-Muslim rally.

The UAF protest was split up by the police - around 2000 UAF protesters held the north side of Bolton's Victoria Square from early morning and thoughout the day. A further 1,000 anti-racists were prevented from joining the main UAF demo until late afternoon. Once all the UAF supporters were finally allowed to gather together, they took part in an impromptu anti-racist parade through Bolton.

Around 800 EDL racists brandishing anti-Muslim placards were marched into the south side of Victoria Square by police at around 3pm. When a group of local Asian youths joined the UAF protest, the EDL responded with fury, hurling bottles and coins at the counter demonstration. The racists were hustled out of the square by police a short while later, around 4pm.

The scenes in Bolton on Saturday underline the urgent need for the trade union, anti-racist and workers' movement to mobilise against the EDL and the fascist BNP. We cannot stand by and let EDL racist thugs intimidate Muslims and spread terror on our streets.

We need to make sure all anti-racists and anti-facists are at Dudley on Saturday 3rd April to oppose the EDL's next demo. Contact uafnorthlondon@googlemail.com or 078453 291 469 for a coach ticket asap!

A few interesting links:
Analysis of the media coverage of Bolton - http://exposethebnp.com/2010/03/20/the-battle-of-bolton-and-the-media/
Video of the Bolton demo on Saturday 20th March http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np09fgMgpN4

BOLTON TOMORROW

Only 2 tickets left for the coach to Bolton - get in contact now to get your ticket before they all run out.

It is set to be a good day tomorrow - around 60 coaches from across the country are heading to Bolton to show solidarity with the people of Bolton and to say NO to the racist EDL.

To make sure that it is an absolutely brilliant day, we need to make sure everyone who opposes racism is on a coach to Bolton. To get on the North London bus leaving Finsbury Park - call 07853 291 469.

National Demo against the EDL this Saturday!

Only 3 full days left till Bolton - have you got your ticket yet? We are fast filling up on our second coach, so you must buy your ticket asap!

The racist English Defence League are hoping to march again - this time through Bolton - to whip up race hatred against Muslims. When they were allowed to march through Luton and Stoke recently they smashed cards, attacked shops and assaulted Asians. UAF have called a counter protest in Bolton this Saturday 20th March, meet 11 am at Victoria Square. It is ESSENTIAL that all anti-racists attend this demo - we are the majority and we need to show this to the EDL and BNP.

The coach will leave Finsbury Park at 6am and will bring us back - tickets cost £18 (students and employed can have a lower rate if needed). Please contact if you are interested, we need everyone there.

Email uafnorthlondon@googlemail.com or call 07853 291 469 to get a seat on the North London bus. If you need to catch a bus from somewhere else in London/England there are details of all other coaches on www.uaf.org.uk