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==History==
==History==
Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was formed in Great Britain in late 2003 in response to electoral successes by the [[British National Party]] (BNP).<ref name=SW1 /> It began as a coalition that included the [[Anti-Nazi League]], the [[National Assembly Against Racism]], the [[Trades Union Congress]] (TUC) and leading British unions such as the [[Transport and General Workers' Union]] (T&G) (now [[Unite (trade union)|Unite]]) and [[UNISON]]. According to ''[[Red Pepper (magazine)|Red Pepper]]'' magazine, UAF was set up by the [[Socialist Workers Party (Britain)|Socialist Workers Party]] and the [[National Assembly Against Racism]].<ref name=RedPepper1 /> In 2005, the anti-fascist magazine ''[[Searchlight (magazine)|Searchlight]]'' disaffiliated from UAF after an argument over tactics to defeat the BNP.<ref name=SL1 /><ref name=SL2 />
They're pretty much a bunch of c*nts. They HATE Britain. They HATE the white working class. They are marxist w*nkers who hide behind the 'anti racism' message. Martin Smith is a stuttering, scruffy a*sehole, while his partner in grime..Weyman Bennett..really need to lay off the pies! In a nutshell, the UAF are a bunch of unwashed, flag burning, Islamic appeasing b*stards!

At UAF's 2007 national conference, speakers ranged from cabinet minister [[Peter Hain]] to Edie Friedman of the [[Jewish Council for Racial Equality]] and Dr. [[Muhammad Abdul Bari]] of the [[Muslim Council of Britain]] (MCB), as well as figures from the major UK [[trade unions]].<ref name=UAF4 /> At UAF's 2009 national conference, Bari was again a guest speaker.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20090618002431/http://www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=81219 Details announced for UAF 2009 National Conference]</ref>

Concern has been raised that the [[Socialist Workers Party (UK)|Socialist Workers Party]] is seeking to dominate the UAF,,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/may/15/theswordofrespectandthes?INTCMP=SRCH | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Tate | title=How to fight the BNP | date=2006-05-15}}</ref> and that the organisations involved in the UAF avoid condemnation of [[antisemitism]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/18/race-raceandreligion | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Toube | title=Why we must reclaim antiracism from the far left | date=2009-02-18}}</ref> However, UAF has received support from MPs of all mainstream UK [[political parties]].<ref name="BBCegg">>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8091605.stm BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Egg attack on BNP leader Griffin] BBC News. ''Egg attack on BNP leader Griffin'', 9 June 2009.</ref> It describes itself as a national campaign with the aim of alerting British society to a perceived threat of the [[far right]] — in particular the [[British National Party]] (BNP) — gaining a foothold at local, national and European elections, arguing that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions."<ref name=UAF1 />

===Protests against the British National Party===
Unite Against Fascism states on its website that its existence is to deny the British National Party any chance of "gaining an electoral foothold"<ref name=UAF1 /> stating that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions." It claims the support of organisations representing labour, teachers, and rights activists.<ref name=UAF2 />

In November 2007, UAF organised a rally of over 1,000 people when BNP leader [[Nick Griffin]] and holocaust denier [[David Irving]] spoke at the [[Oxford Union]].<ref name=Guard1/> On 9 June 2009, UAF demonstrated against a BNP press conference given by Griffin and [[Andrew Brons]] outside the [[Palace of Westminster]] following their election as MEPs. Demonstrators marched towards the group with placards, chanting anti-Nazi slogans, and threw eggs at Griffin, forcing the abandonment of the press conference. Members of the press were also hit. The protesters also kicked Griffin's car and beat it with placards as he was led away from the scene.<ref name="bbc-griffin-eggs"/> Two members of the public were hospitalized as a result of the [[demonstration]].<ref name=Sky1/> Griffin claimed that the attack was carried out with the backing of the Labour Party.<ref name=Telegraph1/><ref name=BBC1/>

The following day, UAF demonstrated at the BNP's next attempt to hold a press conference at a pub in Miles Platting, North [[Manchester]].<ref name=Times01/> They chanted anti-fascist slogans and tried to drown out Griffin by playing [[Bob Marley]] songs at high volume. One protester was arrested after spitting in the direction of a car belonging to a BNP member.<ref name=Times01/>

In January 2010, when the Pendle branch of the UAF removed a [[wreath]] from the War Memorial in [[Nelson, Lancashire|Nelson]] that was laid down by a [[British National Party]] member,<ref name="NelsonBNP">{{cite web|title=Police probe as anti-fascism group removes BNP wreath from Nelson memorial|url=http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/nelsonnews/Police-probe-as-antifascism-group.6027093.jp|publisher=Pendle Today|date=29 January 2010}}</ref> Richard MacSween of the Pendle UAF said "The BNP have left a wreath and we have removed it because we don't approve of fascism.". In response, Councillor [[George Adam]], from the Nelson and District branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "I'm annoyed - they have no right to remove that wreath. The BNP is a legitimate political party and they have a right to lay down a wreath just as any other members of the public do. BNP Councillor Brian Parker added: "It's disgusting, and it's theft".<ref name=Telegraph1/> <ref name=BBC1/>

===Arrests and controversy===
[[File:Uaf.jpg|thumb|right|UAF demonstration in [[Leeds]], 31 October 2009.]]
On 19 August 2009, police arrested 19 protesters during a demonstration by UAF against the BNP's Red, White and Blue festival in [[Codnor]], [[Derbyshire]].<ref name=SW2/> Four people were charged; three with public order offences and one with unlawfully obstructing the highway.<ref name=Guard2/><ref name=Reut1/><ref name=AP1/><ref name=Mirror1/>

On 22 October 2009, [[Question Time British National Party controversy#Protests|the UAF demonstration]] against [[Question Time British National Party controversy|Nick Griffin's appearance on the BBC's ''Question Time'' programme]] resulted in injuries to three police officers.<ref name=Times02/> SWP National Secretary and UAF national officer [[Martin Smith]] was found guilty of assaulting one of the police officers at South Western Magistrates' Court, London, on 7 September 2010. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 80 hours' unpaid work, and was fined £450 pending an appeal.<ref>[http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22373 , 9 Sept. 2010]</ref>

On 20 March 2010 demonstrations from UAF and the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) in [[Bolton]] led to violent confrontations and the arrest of at least 55 UAF supporters, including the UAF protest organiser Weyman Bennett, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit [[violent disorder]].<ref name="BBCBolton">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8577777.stm|title=Police battle to control EDL and UAF protest in Bolton|publisher=BBC|date=20 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="BoltonNews">{{cite web|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/5074006.Police_battle_to_control_protesters_at_rally/?ref=rss|title=Thousands face off in rally|publisher=The Bolton News|date=20 March 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5074044.55_arrests_at_protests/ 55 arrests at protests, The Bolton News]</ref> At least three EDL supporters were also arrested, and two UAF members were taken to hospital with a minor head and a minor ear injury.<ref name="BBCBolton"/><ref name="BoltonNews"/> After Bennett was charged and released, he accused the police of being hostile to anti-racists and called for an inquiry into the police's actions that day.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8578558.stm Anti-fascist charged after Bolton protests]</ref> The police, while criticising the EDL for "vitriolic name-calling" blamed people predominantly associated with UAF for provoking violence and said that they "acted with, at times, extreme violence".<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-blame-antifascists-for-violence-1925038.html Police blame anti-fascists for violence, The Independent]</ref> All charges against Weyman Bennett were eventually dropped. In response to this news he was quoted as saying: "This is a victory for anti-fascists and for the right to protest. I’m proud to say that the threat of these charges has not deterred any of us from continuing to stand up against the EDL. I can now continue my work without this serious false allegation hanging over me. It is imperative we continue to protest to protect our multi-racial communities."<ref>[http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1371724_antifascist_protesters_to_avoid_charges_after_edl_clash "Anti-fascist protesters to avoid charges after EDL clash"], Manchester Evening News, 19 November 2010</ref>

On 30 August 2010, violence occurred in [[Brighton]], [[East Sussex]], during a UAF protest against a march organised by a group called the [[English Nationalist Alliance]] (ENA). A spokesman for the police, who were attempting to keep 250 protesters and marchers apart, said "Unfortunately a small group from the counter-demonstration [UAF] resisted this and threw missiles at the police." There were fourteen arrests during the violence.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1307482/Police-pelted-missiles-anti-fascist-protesters-far-right-Bank-Holiday-march.html Police pelted with missiles by anti-fascist protesters] </ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-11133907 Three injured at anti-fascist demo in Brighton] bbc</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 21:52, 29 February 2012

Unite Against Fascism
Formation2003
TypeAnti-fascist pressure group
HeadquartersLondon
Chairman
Ken Livingstone
Key people
Weyman Bennett
(Joint Secretary)
Sabby Dhalu
(Joint Secretary)
Billy Hayes
(Treasurer)
Lee Jasper
Martin Smith
Websitehttp://www.uaf.org.uk www.uaf.org.uk
UAF members outside the BBC Television Centre protesting the appearance of BNP leader Nick Griffin on Question Time.

Unite Against Fascism is a left-wing[1][2][3] anti-fascist[4] pressure group in the United Kingdom, with support from MPs of all mainstream UK political parties.[5] It describes itself as a national campaign with the aim of alerting British society to a perceived threat of fascism and the far right.

Its chairman is the former Labour Party Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone[6] and its joint secretaries are Weyman Bennett of the Socialist Workers Party and the Anti-Nazi League, and Sabby Dhalu, formerly of the National Assembly Against Racism (NAAR).

History

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) was formed in Great Britain in late 2003 in response to electoral successes by the British National Party (BNP).[7] It began as a coalition that included the Anti-Nazi League, the National Assembly Against Racism, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and leading British unions such as the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) (now Unite) and UNISON. According to Red Pepper magazine, UAF was set up by the Socialist Workers Party and the National Assembly Against Racism.[8] In 2005, the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight disaffiliated from UAF after an argument over tactics to defeat the BNP.[9][10]

At UAF's 2007 national conference, speakers ranged from cabinet minister Peter Hain to Edie Friedman of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality and Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), as well as figures from the major UK trade unions.[11] At UAF's 2009 national conference, Bari was again a guest speaker.[12]

Concern has been raised that the Socialist Workers Party is seeking to dominate the UAF,,[13] and that the organisations involved in the UAF avoid condemnation of antisemitism.[14] However, UAF has received support from MPs of all mainstream UK political parties.[5] It describes itself as a national campaign with the aim of alerting British society to a perceived threat of the far right — in particular the British National Party (BNP) — gaining a foothold at local, national and European elections, arguing that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions."[15]

Protests against the British National Party

Unite Against Fascism states on its website that its existence is to deny the British National Party any chance of "gaining an electoral foothold"[15] stating that "there is a real danger that the BNP could get a significant platform in elected institutions." It claims the support of organisations representing labour, teachers, and rights activists.[16]

In November 2007, UAF organised a rally of over 1,000 people when BNP leader Nick Griffin and holocaust denier David Irving spoke at the Oxford Union.[17] On 9 June 2009, UAF demonstrated against a BNP press conference given by Griffin and Andrew Brons outside the Palace of Westminster following their election as MEPs. Demonstrators marched towards the group with placards, chanting anti-Nazi slogans, and threw eggs at Griffin, forcing the abandonment of the press conference. Members of the press were also hit. The protesters also kicked Griffin's car and beat it with placards as he was led away from the scene.[18] Two members of the public were hospitalized as a result of the demonstration.[19] Griffin claimed that the attack was carried out with the backing of the Labour Party.[20][21]

The following day, UAF demonstrated at the BNP's next attempt to hold a press conference at a pub in Miles Platting, North Manchester.[22] They chanted anti-fascist slogans and tried to drown out Griffin by playing Bob Marley songs at high volume. One protester was arrested after spitting in the direction of a car belonging to a BNP member.[22]

In January 2010, when the Pendle branch of the UAF removed a wreath from the War Memorial in Nelson that was laid down by a British National Party member,[23] Richard MacSween of the Pendle UAF said "The BNP have left a wreath and we have removed it because we don't approve of fascism.". In response, Councillor George Adam, from the Nelson and District branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "I'm annoyed - they have no right to remove that wreath. The BNP is a legitimate political party and they have a right to lay down a wreath just as any other members of the public do. BNP Councillor Brian Parker added: "It's disgusting, and it's theft".[20] [21]

Arrests and controversy

UAF demonstration in Leeds, 31 October 2009.

On 19 August 2009, police arrested 19 protesters during a demonstration by UAF against the BNP's Red, White and Blue festival in Codnor, Derbyshire.[24] Four people were charged; three with public order offences and one with unlawfully obstructing the highway.[25][26][27][28]

On 22 October 2009, the UAF demonstration against Nick Griffin's appearance on the BBC's Question Time programme resulted in injuries to three police officers.[29] SWP National Secretary and UAF national officer Martin Smith was found guilty of assaulting one of the police officers at South Western Magistrates' Court, London, on 7 September 2010. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 80 hours' unpaid work, and was fined £450 pending an appeal.[30]

On 20 March 2010 demonstrations from UAF and the English Defence League (EDL) in Bolton led to violent confrontations and the arrest of at least 55 UAF supporters, including the UAF protest organiser Weyman Bennett, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder.[31][32][33] At least three EDL supporters were also arrested, and two UAF members were taken to hospital with a minor head and a minor ear injury.[31][32] After Bennett was charged and released, he accused the police of being hostile to anti-racists and called for an inquiry into the police's actions that day.[34] The police, while criticising the EDL for "vitriolic name-calling" blamed people predominantly associated with UAF for provoking violence and said that they "acted with, at times, extreme violence".[35] All charges against Weyman Bennett were eventually dropped. In response to this news he was quoted as saying: "This is a victory for anti-fascists and for the right to protest. I’m proud to say that the threat of these charges has not deterred any of us from continuing to stand up against the EDL. I can now continue my work without this serious false allegation hanging over me. It is imperative we continue to protest to protect our multi-racial communities."[36]

On 30 August 2010, violence occurred in Brighton, East Sussex, during a UAF protest against a march organised by a group called the English Nationalist Alliance (ENA). A spokesman for the police, who were attempting to keep 250 protesters and marchers apart, said "Unfortunately a small group from the counter-demonstration [UAF] resisted this and threw missiles at the police." There were fourteen arrests during the violence.[37][38]

See also

References

  1. ^ [1] TimesOnline 10 Aug 2009 "Left-wing groups including Unite Against Fascism "
  2. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1304139/Police-halt-English-Defence-League-march-riot-fears.html
  3. ^ [2] IBTimes 19 Nov 2010 "the left-wing group Unite Against Fascism (of which Prime Minister David Cameron is a supporter)".
  4. ^ "Anti-fascist group Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is one of a number of groups taking part in a "Unity" community event at the weekend to demonstrate the diversity of the city". BBC News. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  5. ^ a b >BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Egg attack on BNP leader Griffin BBC News. Egg attack on BNP leader Griffin, 9 June 2009.
  6. ^ UAF website,"Ken Livingstone speaks out against “the BBC’s gift to the BNP”" 29 Oct 2009 [dead link]
  7. ^ "Unite Against Fascism". Socialist Worker. 6 December 2003. Archived from the original on 28 December 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Unite Against Fascism". Red Pepper (magazine). Retrieved 12 September 2009. {{cite web}}: Text "Red Pepper" ignored (help)
  9. ^ Editorial in Searchlight, July 2005
  10. ^ Letter of resignation to UAF in Searchlight, July 2005
  11. ^ UAF website, "Hundreds gathered to launch campaign against the fascist BNP's May election offensive" 23 Feb 2007
  12. ^ Details announced for UAF 2009 National Conference
  13. ^ Tate, David (15 May 2006). "How to fight the BNP". The Guardian. London.
  14. ^ Toube, David (18 February 2009). "Why we must reclaim antiracism from the far left". The Guardian. London.
  15. ^ a b UAF website, "What is the UAF?"
  16. ^ UAF website,"UAF supporters include:"
  17. ^ Matthew Taylor, "Irving and Griffin spark fury at Oxford Union debate", The Guardian, 27 Nov 2007
  18. ^ "Egg attack on BNP leader Griffin". bbc.co.uk. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  19. ^ "Two People In Hospital After BNP Protest". BSkyB. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  20. ^ a b "BNP leader Nick Griffin pelted with eggs by protesters". London: The Daily Telegraph. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
  21. ^ a b "Why we threw eggs at the BNP". BBC. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  22. ^ a b Jenkins, Russell (10 June 2009). "BNP's Nick Griffin finally gets to make a speech - Times Online". London: timesonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Police probe as anti-fascism group removes BNP wreath from Nelson memorial". Pendle Today. 29 January 2010.
  24. ^ "BNP thugs cower behind police lines|22Aug09". Socialist Worker. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  25. ^ Taylor, Matthew (16 August 2009). "Four charged as far-right festival brings chaos to Derbyshire village | Politics". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  26. ^ Fineren, Daniel (17 August 2009). "Three charged over racial taunt at BNP rally | UK | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  27. ^ "4 charged after demo against UK far-right festival". Taiwan News Online. Associated Press. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  28. ^ Justin Penrose (16 August 2009). "Protest Clash At Bnp Festival". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  29. ^ Hines, Nico; Foster, Patrick; Hamilton, Fiona; Kerbaj, Richard (22 October 2009). "Anti-fascist protesters charge BBC before Nick Griffin booed during Question Time - Times Online". London: timesonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ , 9 Sept. 2010
  31. ^ a b "Police battle to control EDL and UAF protest in Bolton". BBC. 20 March 2010.
  32. ^ a b "Thousands face off in rally". The Bolton News. 20 March 2010.
  33. ^ 55 arrests at protests, The Bolton News
  34. ^ Anti-fascist charged after Bolton protests
  35. ^ Police blame anti-fascists for violence, The Independent
  36. ^ "Anti-fascist protesters to avoid charges after EDL clash", Manchester Evening News, 19 November 2010
  37. ^ Police pelted with missiles by anti-fascist protesters
  38. ^ Three injured at anti-fascist demo in Brighton bbc

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