On Saturday, activists from across the Midlands and Yorkshire met in Nottingham to co-ordinate activities against the British National Party (BNP).
Around 100 campaigners met at the Queen's Walk Community Centre in the city for a conference organised by Nottinghamshire Stop the BNP.
Participants discussed the ways in which the BNP could be opposed, the formation of a regional anti-fascist network and the possibility of protests against the BNP's Red, White and Blue Festival.
Links: Midlands and South Yorks Activists Organise Against Racist BNP | Nottinghamshire Stop the BNP Event : Leaflet PDF
Newswire: Stop the BNP in Brinsley gains ground | Broxtowe BNP Councillor Expelled From Party | BNP threaten anti-fascist leafletters in Brinsley | Anti-fascists successfully blockade BNP meeting venue
Interviews with delegates at the Notts Stop the BNP conference
- mp3 7.9M
Delegates at antifascist conference
Organised annually by the BNP, Red White and Blue is a members-only event which has previously been held in various locations. In 2003 the event descended into chaos when a drunken brawl resulted in Burnley councillor Luke Smith bottling a fellow party member.
Last year, for the first time, it took place in Codnor, Derbyshire on land owned by party member Alan Warner. Despite widespread local opposition, Amber Valley Borough Council granted the event a public events licence.
The BNP had intended to hold the event in the same place this year, but these plans were thrown into turmoil following a split in the party. Warner is currently refusing to allow his land to be used for the festival in protest against the expulsion of a number of prominent party members including Broxtowe Borough Councillor Sadie Graham.
Campaigners stated their intention to mobilise large numbers of anti-fascists to prevent any festival taking place should the BNP - or any faction thereof - attempt to hold such an event in the region. They also commited themselves to opposing any new far-right party emerging out of the current turmoil within the BNP.
Trevor Masters from Nottingham said, “The BNP is a dangerous organisation promoting divisive, racist policies. They cannot be allowed to organise freely in the region. Anybody concerned about the threat they pose should get involved and help ensure that Red White and Blue doesn't take place.”
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