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State wins the day in Edinburgh SDL stalemate
the SDL demo on Waterloo Place
There was a definite sense of deja vu in Edinburgh today as the far-right Scottish Defence League attempted to hold their latest ‘demonstration’, with hundreds of anti-fascists gathering to oppose them. But, unlike last time around, the script could’ve been written well in advance for the way in which events would play out today. And indeed, it had been – Lothian and Borders Police saw to that.
Having been turned down on their initial proposal to hold a march through the city centre, the SDL were forced to make do with a police sanctioned “static protest” outside the Apex Hotel on Waterloo Place, at which they gathered from early on. Anti-fascists were meanwhile meeting at the foot of the Mound, where a rally had been organised by Unite Against Fascism. After hearing from several trade union and political party speakers, a short, five minute march along Princes Street took place. However, upon nearing the pre-arranged spot for a ‘second rally’, it became clear that the march was, in fact, being directed straight into a ‘designated protest area’ surrounded by metal barriers. When a sizeable section of the march stalled and attempted to resist entering this area, and to encourage others not to as well, UAF stewards rapidly intervened. We had to enter the protest area, we were told – and through a mixture of lies, confusion and just following the crowd, most did. Around 40 remained outside, staying mobile and attempting to reach the SDL – both to ensure that they would not be allowed a demonstration publicly, and to let them know that there was an anti-fascist presence in Edinburgh that day.
This was carried out with limited success, a shouting match (from great distance) with the SDL here and dash past police lines there. But with the vast majority of the anti-fascist demo, which had numbered up to 4-500 people, being herded into a pen, there was no scope for the kind of blockade of the SDL that took place last time they visited Edinburgh. With officers from at least four Scottish forces in attendance, the city centre was in a state of virtual occupation, with riot vans, prison buses and dozens of cops on every street in the proximity of the demonstrations. In this context, it wasn’t a victory for anyone but the forces of the state, who gave a textbook performance of flooding the streets with officers, keeping two opposing sides apart, maintaining order and having the whole thing over and done with by 2.30pm.
the fash get escorted away following their demo
Some sections of the anti-fascist movement – namely Unite Against Fascism – are already declaring a massive victory on the streets of Edinburgh today, much as they did in Tower Hamlets last week (where they also succeeded in banning all marches for a 30 day period). The twitter feed of UAF’s Martin Smith is a sight to behold – an utterly delusional portrayal of the day’s events which counts police kettles, the fact that the SDL were “nowhere to be seen” (certainly not from where the UAF demo was situated) and Labour councillors giving grandstanding speeches “evoking the spirit of Cable Street” (lol) as some kind of stunning victory. But in reality, the SDL still numbered around 100+ supporters, were able to have their demonstration on Waterloo Place, and then leave pretty much of their own accord by Calton Hill. Of these 100 or so, though, a sizeable contingent had travelled from England – banners and hoodies were seen from Luton and Newcastle EDL divisions, alongside the EDL splinter group the “North West Infidels”. The SDL are not in a position of strength; whether they were strengthened by today’s demo, though, is difficult to say.
Anti-fascists can claim a success in that the SDL were not able to venture beyond a tightly controlled cordon. The very fact that there was opposition to them in the streets today was key in ensuring that they were unable to come into contact with the general public (with the exception of the unfortunate couple having a wedding inside the same hotel). But the willingness to accept “designated protest areas”, while allowing the police to “do their job” of penning in the fascists in their protest area, is extremely dangerous territory not just in the fight against the far-right, but for the progressive movement as a whole. These very same forces who have spent weeks now fetishising the riots and anti-police sentiment today walked into, accepted and pulled others into a dystopian nightmare-esque vision of “legitimate” protest in “designated” confines. They shall not pass – the police cordons, that is.
Last year we had the maze of Edinburgh’s old town where we could run rings around the police and lock the fascists down. Today the police very definately had a tight grip on things. Still we did apply pressure on the police to get rid of the fascists, if that can be taken as a consolation. It was good actually getting within sight of the bastards though, and I commend the others who did so. I was told to ‘disperse or be detained’ near the horse and as I had work to go to I definately took the former option. Did anyone else regroup?
I specifically asked a UAF steward if we were being contained and was told the barrier was temporary and we were marching. This was a lie and I knew it. As with the last time the police cordons were hardly unbreakable given that I was able to walk straight from the UAF demo to where we knew the “S”DL were assembling nae bother. The SDL would not have been aware of any opposition had it not been for a small group who broke through (and a women who was just passing by who shouted dogs abuse at them resulting in them threatening her and needing to be contained by the piggies). The UAF were less than useless today, promoting a dangerous, counterproductive tactic of containing protest, managing dissent and punting papers. As the polis were manhandling us in the UAF pen they were all mumbling “designated protest area.”
Thankfully, the SDL were beyond useless today. There were definately no more than 100 fash comprising of 20 or so North East/West Infidels, 60 EDL and the usual 20 SDL. Non-orange/loyalist chants (of which there were few) included dualing “SDL” and “EDL” directed at each other and “We’re not with them *clap clap clap clap clap* ” again directed at each other. My personal highlight was when they failed to make up an anti-UAF chant resulting in a few seconds of skinheads chanting “U…U…UAF” The sad fuckers who were bussed up from Engurland must be pretty dejected at not being given the same freedom they enjoy south of the border to terrorise and violently assault people or run through towns pissed up threatening people…nae joy!
The SDL may not exactly be the Panzer division but they have been allowed to grow down south precisely because the UAFs “tactics” don’t work. If I was a copper I’d be asking what harm granting them a wee march would do if they can guarantee the complicitly of the UAF “stewards” in their kettling operation next time round.
I can verify that most of them were English! I spoke to some of them! They were up from Newcastle and had Tyneside police with them!
SDL are a fantasy organisation, it is good that they are dejected and not allowed to march like they do in Englandshire. It appeared to be a small group of bone heads it does not appear that there “demonstrations” are building their cause up her. However we must not be lackadaisical about how we organise.
That wasn’t a kettle it was a pen that the UAF were in. People could leave at South St Andrews Street and did it was a “designated demonstration site” that the UAF were quite happy with that. A kettle is when you can’t leave that was a consensual protest space. In think the SWP et al have forgotten why we organised against the 1994 Criminal Justice Act.
I really don’t know what are you complaining about.
The SDL wanted to march but didn’t get to do so – they stood isolated in the rain for an hour, they didn’t even get to walk to the and from their buses. The anti fascists got to march against them. Given the mass mobilisation of the police what else do you think could have happened? And lets be clear, if it wasn’t for the mass campaign of opposition before hand, not only would the police have let them march they would have protected them as they did so.
You obviously have a different way of fighting fascism from the UAF – go ahead and do it, but please don’t slag off others just because they don’t agree with you.
I think Saturday was a success.
What is your idea of success?
“What is your idea of success?”
Ideally a repeat of what happened last time the SDL were in Edinburgh – hundreds of anti-fascists keeping them kettled in a pub, with no ability to have a demonstration of any kind.
Apparently last time was a failure as well. IMMSMR there was a lot of complaints the way it was organised then. BTW it was the police that kept them indoors, demonstrators could barely see the pub never mind the SDL.
Last time was a failure for the UAF. But the SDL didn’t even set foot on the streets as a collective. Information was available as to their location when we were on the mound, listening to various narcissists polish their nobs.
Could hav ehad a victory like last time but a) poor numbers and b) distraction from the nob polishers that love the sound of their own voice.
UAF=Timewasters
There were complaints last time which can be found here:
https://ssy-archive.scottishsocialistparty.org/2010/03/eafa-open-letter-to-uaf/
It’s not worth a bun fight over, not least because the SWP won’t change their minds – the UAF is a model front for them, organised in their usual way and aimed at their usual middle class audience (with help from SSY arch-nemesis and well-known international war criminal Malcolm “Baghad Bomber” Chisholm). Its for the SWP to decide their tactics and target audience. But it’s at least worth pointing out that despite its revolutionary vigour and use of slogans like “Smash the SDL” the reality involves speakers, more speakers, play pen chanting and lots of flourescent jackets. Gimme a paramilitary uniform; beret, feather boa, moustache, aviators and pink leather waistcoat and I’m in. A 50p jacket from the Savoy does do it for me nor does it convey any authority upon its wearer.
A broad, militant space organised in as non-hierarchical a way as possible is our alternative and we need to work to build that. An affinity model or something similar would have worked well on Saturday. Credit as ever to those who managed to get to where the “S”DL were and show their opposition. But success is when I get to spend my Saturday sitting on this chair gazing out my window into the near distance with a coffee and a fag rather than having to get on a train to stand in the cold staring at bald men being racist. Lofty and unrealistic as that may be it’s worth fighting for. We don’t want to oppose the SDL, we want to stop it.
Let’s be clear – there must be a safe space to allow families, weans and those who cannot (or have no interest in) taking part in mass resistance and occupation of space. I had fun on what little of the UAF demo I was on and it was great to see the numbers there. We can’t compel people to do what they are not comfortable with and everyone (not just the young, able bodied, mad commie bastards) should have a voice in standing up to racism and fascism in our society. In this instance a tactical divergence is fine or even beneficial. The press coverage of Edinburgh last time was a story about what we did (physically preventing the SDL assemblng) with pictures of mums pushing buggies and politicians. Suits me. I’m not getting any younger and 1 day going for a nice day out where nice men say nice things about how nice they are and how nasty the nasty racists are will doubtless be all I’m up for.
But our role as socialists has to be to argue that mass, militant resistance with or without state assistance is the only way to effectively destroy fascism. And when that resistance arises the UAF should either with it, or get out of the way. When the cops are ordering us about whilst telling us what others agreed to on our behalf it is only right that we express concern. And as I say, my concern is that if the state knows they can rely on UAF stewards to direct us that will make them more, not less, likely to allow the SDL to march next time round.
While I agree that the UAF were completely hopeless at direct confrontation – people have to realise and accept that, and work with it.
There was no reason for those of us who were willing to actively stop them assembling to stay on the Mound, nor to enter the pen. We were too late, too few and too hesitant. Prior to any future SDL counter activity we *need* to agree strategy and tactics prior, not simply follow the UAF then work out what to do once its obvious that the UAF is as effective at stopping them gather as a chocolate teapot. We know that already, why do we not just accept it, and organise seperately.
Another massive issue is that if you are trying to stop the fash assembling, in direct contradiction to police wishes who are trying to faciliate them, turning up with a big anarchist flag, a dog on a string and green hair is like running around shouting please kettle me. Ditch the flag, leave the pooch with the neighbours, buy a wig and dress respectably – the only way that you will get through to a place where you can actually stop them assembling is if you dont look like you are going to stop them assembling. Less of the posturing and more practicality.