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The EDL and SDL: they must be smashed
Following the relative success of their wee day out to Kilmarnock – where the shameful actions of Strathclyde Police ensured that their ‘march’ could go ahead – the SDL are intending to have another go at parading through Glasgow next month, on Saturday 18th September.
As you might recall, when the SDL last tried to march in the city, the first far-right demo in Scotland for decades, they were met by thousands of anti-fascists who opposed them directly on the streets and ensured that the police soon bussed them out of the city centre. It was a resounding victory, and a repeat of this situation when they tried to hold a demo in Edinburgh in February was enough for many to see the organisation as finished. Not so – they came back for a jaunt to Killie, had a nice day, and since then have been intent on making their trip to the big city as much of a success.
Responding to an official complaint from the Scottish Anti-Fascist Alliance, the police have sought to defend their actions in Kilmarnock on the grounds that they cannot discriminate against ‘legal protest’ and that their heavy-handed treatment of anti-fascists was both ‘justified and proportionate’ in keeping order on the day.
This all sets a worrying precedent for September 18th. The SDL have learnt from their previous mistakes, and now know that by meeting inside pubs, they’ll invariably just end up getting kettled within by the police, and in turn, hundreds of anti-fascists. On the other hand, meeting on the street offers them both police protection, and guarantees that they’ll get some kind of street protest/shouting match. So this time, the SDL have applied for a demo which will, they claim, gather in Blytheswood Square towards the west of the city and march to George Square, where they intend to lay a wreathe at the cenotaph. It will be doubly ironic if the SDL are allowed to assemble at their desired location, given that Blytheswood Square is now off limits to everyone else.
What Kilmarnock demonstrated though was that the state cannot be relied on at any level to stop the threat of organised fascism. Ultimately, the police will attempt to keep public order – and if this means allowing the SDL/EDL/NF to march, then so be it. It’s a game of numbers, one which worked to our advantage in Glasgow and Edinburgh, less so in Kilmarnock and countless EDL demos down south. Mobilising against fascism doesn’t have to be difficult – in fact it’s been one of the best, most gratifying and worthwhile things that SSY has been involved with over the past 12 months. In Glasgow and Edinburgh hundreds, even thousands, of ordinary people have been angry enough to take to the streets in direct action against fascism.
Which makes it all the more bizarre that there’s a growing school of thought which says that the EDL “shouldn’t be opposed”, because this is “playing into their hands” and “harming community relations”. It doesn’t come as any great surprise to hear that this is being spearheaded by the ‘anti-fascist’ magazine Searchlight, and their establishment-backed front organisation Hope Not Hate. The entire strategy of Searchlight and HNH rests on making appeals to the state to ‘ban’ nasty people – bans which then all too easily backfire against the left. Their major success in this so far was Luton last year, where they managed to get ALL political gatherings banned for several months in a bid to stop one EDL march – great job guys!
Bradford is a special case in many respects, given the race riots which happened there in 2001. But simply calling for the EDL to be banned does not get around this – the main catalyst for the disorder in 2001 was a march by the National Front. A march that, as it happens, was banned by the authorities from taking place. But this ban didn’t stop some of the Nazis showing up anyway – and similarly, a ban on the EDL’s march isn’t going to stop a large amount of their support showing up either. They’ve been building up this demo for months, constistently referring to it as ‘the Big One’ and one that ‘one wont be for families’. It doesn’t take long to figure out what they want: a ruck with the local Asian youth (with one third of Bradford’s population being Muslim).
It’s particularly shameful that the local trade union council has come out against any planned counter-demo, alongside “most political parties, faith groups and community groups”, according to Hope Not Hate. In effect, all they’re doing is alienating those that will come out to oppose the EDL – abandoning any local youth who come out to defend their community from attack by the thugs of the EDL. The local labour movement should be at the forefront of direct action to stop the EDL, not cowering at the back cause they’re scared they might get hit. A broad, united anti-fascist demo would send a clear message to the EDL, and people watching from all over the UK, that Bradford stands against them. Sitting at home and abandoning the local Asian youth to defend their city is exactly what will lead the media to portray the whole thing as a ‘race riot’. And that’s what we all want to avoid.
Dresden shows how it’s done – 13.02.2010
What total shitebaggery from those saying “just leave it to the cops”
I will be out and about in Bradford with anti fascists from different areas teaming up with lads from Bradford and surrounding towns, well out of any police kettle and away from the UAF and any multicultural jamborees. Mobile and ready to defend areas of Bradford and confront any EDL we can get at. Hope the SSY and the GAFA and others are with us. No pasaran- fuck the EDL.
It is unacceptable to continue with the stand off view many take. Many of the unions are to scared they’ll lose their office and the people must do everything to stop the SDL in Scotland and England.
we call the EDL fascist because they are. we don’t call them Nazis because we’re well aware that they’re not.
we’re well aware on the differences between racism and fascism. the EDL are an organised racist group, funded by millionaires, who employ street violence and pogroms while singling out one religious group as the root of all society’s ills – this is what we call fascism. the SDL are a bunch of pathetic loyalists trying to emulate them. We haven’t said anywhere that the BNP and EDL are the same thing – they’re not.
as for the imminent Islamic Sharia Law takeover of Britain, the whole idea is laughable.
also, ur wrong lol
Seeing SDL members make fascist salutes is also a bit of a give away.
Its not just the SSY and the usual student lefties that oppose you and your attempts to scapegoat the entire Muslim population of the disUK, you will see in Bradford locals and AFA and Irish Republicans out against you. We have crews from Manchester and Liverpool etc that you know can more than take care of you.
No pasaran.
Hahahahahahahahaha what a perfect storm of comments.
“basic syntax errors” Learn to language.
Ruddie I saw them make the salutes, and there are pictures of them doing so – http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncanbrown/4714757895/in/set-72157624186717235/
You won’t bother any argument because you’ve been caught out and know it.
“The point I was making was that the principles of an entire organisation are not primarily represented by the actions of a few members. There is little or no corrolation between the EDL/SDL and fascism other than a few pictures of a few boneheads who probably don’t even know what the EDL /SDL are about anyway.”
Aye they just happen to be at the front of their demo and holding the banner – nothing to do wi the SDL at all eh? They knew enough about the SDL to find their demo and attend it. What ‘legitimate grievances’ have fascists got in Scotland?
“You seem to think I’m some sort of EDL/SDL apologist. I’m not. I don’t really give two shits for them. ” – you’ve taken the time to defend them when they’ve been caught out and tried to whitewash making fascist salutes as ‘embarrassing’.
We think the SDL/EDL are fascists because they have held demonstrations against mosques with no links to fundamentalists like Anjem Choudary, Abu Hamza etc, and attacked asian owned businesses (many not owned by muslims). Your only defence of the SDL/EDL is based on what they like to describe themselves as and not what they have actually done.
Ruddie the EDL is full of BNP and other right wing connected leaders. Its muscle is football firms of the usual English/British nationalist mind set and it attracts another layer of usually younger white working class men who want to vent their frustrations and want to tag along with the firms. The Danny Dyer, Green Street wannabes. The last layer is the sad little fascists who now feel emboldened because they are surrounded by what they perceive is swathes of handy lads in decent numbers against an enemy that ties in with British imperialism and its occupation of first Iraq and now Afghanistan ie militant Islamists but really any paki will do is the real mindset on the street.
You asked why Irish Republicans would be interested in what takes place on the streets of England or indeed Scotland. Well recent history tells us and our experience of it, that the far right street politics of England came to attack our marches, our communities, our people not necessarily because they were Republicans but any paddy would do.
Now whilst we have over a million people of Irish birth or extraction in England and the cause of the conflict between the two nations continues then we take an interest in our street enemies of tomorrow- thats likely to be EDL as NF are washed up. When you get your confidence up, with the dismal state of the left and official anti fascism- UAF, Hope not Hate, Searchlight etc, we think you will, we expect you to target us as well as muslims- enemy within and all that. So be sure we are not going to be meek little lambs and i think you know that. Dessie Noonan RIP.
Fucking boring shite. Start taking tips from Kris Seunarine and get funny or your useless shitearse is getting banned in the morning
Quite a few of us have actually studied racism and fascism academically, up to and including doing theses on the subject. I myself just completed an Honours Sociological course on racism, so strangely enough I do feel more qualified to talk on the subject than a disgusting racist internet troll.
I don’t believe that you’re not an EDL/SDL supporter, it’s an old tactic to claim “I dislike both groups but you guys are the worst” to try and conceal and your allegiance to the far right. You are in fact nothing but an abusive provacateur and are easier to see through than a window. Your constant defence of them as an organisation does nothing to convince me you’re not a sympathiser.
Btw, which is is, should the left be terrified of being beaten up by the EDL/SDL (as you basically said in an earlier comment, we need the police there etc.) or are we a bunch of handy thugs? The two statements seem inconsistent, although why we anyone should listen to a group who you yourself imply would like to beat up their opposition is beyond me.
“You’ve even started talking about fucking British imperialism for fuck sake! Get yourself an opinion consistent with the century you are living in you clown.”
Remind me again what century it was the British military invaded Iraq? The 20th and the 21st? Or Afghanistan? 19th, 20th and 21st? Is the City of London no longer a centre of international finance capital? Has Britain got rid of its nuclear weapons? Does it or does it not remain one of the top 10 military spenders in the world? (it’s actually number 3, well ahead of even Russia). Has the British state withdrawn from Northern Ireland?
The fact of the matter is that when you leave aside political theory, the EDL/SDL are a group of people that like to get together for a good day out kicking shit of people with brown skin. That’s what they’re about, and decent human beings try and stop them. You are not a decent human being. I assume you’re banned now, because of how desperately you’ve been trying to get a sexist comment posted. This is good, because people like you aren’t worth the attention you crave by trying to start flame wars.
Good response there Jack. Be intersting to see where this individual pops up next on the net. Good chance on an EDL forum claiming some kind of intellectual victory. I will give this one the credit of a reasonably sophisticated style, but the mask soon slipped and his real politics were glaringly obvious.
SDL have decided to cancel there march in September in Glasgow as the Council wouldnt give them permission and they decided not to have a static.
Now that is the type of creep who deserves to get banned quick.
Wipe the foam from your mouth pal.
If you walked into an SSP (or any other political party) meeting and started ranting, swearing and flinging abuse about, you couldn’t realistically expect a reasonable debate to proceed. Same goes here.
“However, your last point did make me chuckle. The EDL/SDL are fascists because they dislke Islam? Since when was it morally wrong to question, criticise or hate organised religion? There is nothing precious about Islam or any other dogshit religion.”
I said the EDL attacked asians not linked to anjem choudary or other fundamentalist organisations – you’re creating a strawmen that that equates with criticising religion. The reason folk think you’re an apologist for the SDL/EDL is because you are one, you’re going to ridiculous and bizarre lengths to defend them (including attacking folk for wearing clothes that are made in sweatshops, as if the EDL all wear knitted clothes or something).
If a Muslim organisation had folk making fascist salutes, chanting ‘paki’, had several of it’s leading members in a far-right organisation and picketed synagogues which had no link to terrorists would you still give them such massive benefit of the doubt?
If the SSY want to work with us on matters conserning anti fascism, then it would be nice if you did not ban representatives of the 32CSM.
We are a primarily young working class organisation who would be interested in working alongside the Scottish Anti-Fascist Alliance. You are aware that ‘fiannanahalba’ was banned, i hope we can leave our differences in Ireland to one side and work together to build and support anti fascism in Scotland.
On behalf of the Vol. Charles Carrigan Cumann 32CSM.
If the the 32CSM want to work with us on matters concerning anti fascism, then it would be nice if you did not send representives on to our blog to repeatedly insult and denigrate us, and be generally offensive, on both personal and political levels.
FIanna was banned for being repeatedly abusive and out of order on our blog. This blog is the blog of the Scottish Socialist Youth, i.e. a safe space for young socialists to discuss issues. So someone who repeatedly comes on here to attack both socialists and young people is not welcome here. When he learns to not be a fuckwit he can be allowed to post again. It’s got fuck all to do with political disagreements, it is very plainly and simply about him being an abusive fuck. I mean, I suppose we do have some things in common politically – I accidentally banned some Dominos delivery boys once too.
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[...]Scottish Socialist Youth » The EDL and SDL: they must be smashed[...]…