Today we had a victory demonstration to highlight the antifascist success of getting the mayoral debate cancelled (blog here) the cancellation of the mayor debate was a victory in itself, however with current far-right tactics being to ship all sorts of boneheads in for demoes, we thought there would still no doubt be fash out 'for a day out.'
This was soon confirmed when a comrade called informing us that 20+ NWI/NF had been spotted by bombed out church heading towards our demo, the decision was made that we would be easy targets at the demo site, so we should head towards bombed out and head them off.
The fash then came from the side of us, and would have possibly done so unnoticed had Liam Pinkham not shouted the greatly offensive and witty remark of 'OI!' as he ran towards us.
A milkshake was thrown as about 5 of the group ran at us, 2 stopped on the other side of the road (used to usual fash tactics of slanging matches behind police lines) but Liam Pinkham and BNP candidate for wirral Joe Killen (sheepishly followed by baby fash, who had permission from his mother to stay out after curfew on a school night) attempted to attack us, one comrade was punched in the mouth and another was hugged and kissed very aggressively by mr. Pinkham.
Then the fash ran back to the group, chased by antifascists, as the police turned up the groups were seperated into opposite sides of the road, with a huge gap betweeen fascists and antifascists we decided to move forward, which we successfully did, as usual the fash were much more vocal behind police lines, and got quieter as we got closer and closer.
The fash then crossed the road to get some distance between us once more and again became more vocal, safely behind police lines. the fash were chased further and further down Mount pleasant by antifascists, who continued to break police lines and scare the fash further down the road.
One antifascist was arrested but later released without charge.
The fash were escorted by police to the safety of Wetherspoons where they were kept under police protection.
NWI facebook confirmed that many of the NF boys present today had infact been shipped in for the event from 'up north'. We chased their increased numbers off the streets, which will send a clear message to the local fash, but please don't allow this to give you an excuse not to come to future demoes, we need to massively outnumber the fash on every demo, and really send the message home.
Today was a definite anti-fascist success, the threat of our presence was enough to stop the university (who were prepared to undermine the student union and give a platform to fascists despite the guild withdrawing) holding the debate as they 'could not garuntee the safety of fascist mayoral candidates.'
Then we successfully opposed the NF/NWI, stopped them targetting others on the streets and usual targets (NTN/UNITE), kept them away from the SureStart demo at the town hall, and ran them to behind police lines and then off the streets.
I left tonight feeling positive about the more militant levels of anti-fascism, we actively chased the fash instead of standing and chanting 'off our streets'. We broke police lines, instead of negotiating with police. When we heard fash were heading our way we mobilised to front them off, instead of leaving in the other direction. I was also really impressed by the numbers of people showing support at SAS to the arrested comrade, rather than leaving and going home.
Massive respect to everyone involved today, huge successes all round!
Also worth noting that today was Holocaust Memorial Day.
As a quick aside, Liverpool Antifascist Tees are now done, they will be available at the GIG ON SATURDAY (antifascist fundraiser gig at NTN 6:45 doors).
FURTHER READING:
blog by a comrade
Photos by a comrade
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