Anti-Fascist Network

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Everything is up in the air. The government is in chaos, risking peace in Ireland by making a pact with hard-line Ulster loyalists. There have been a number of terrorist attacks in quick succession. No one knows where Brexit negotiations will take us. The horror of Grenfell tower has created huge public anger which is spilling out onto the streets. On Monday night a terrorist inspired by the hate preachers of the far-right drove a van into a crowd of people outside a mosque in North London shouting “Kill all Muslims!”

These are vital times for those of us fighting for a better world and we are at a turning point. There is a real danger that the UK could see increasing attacks on Muslims and immigrants, fascists marching in greater numbers on the streets, a UK state allied with Trump, the bigots of the DUP calling the shots in government, hard Brexit. But the election showed a huge and no longer hidden desire for a different politics. There is the possibility that with renewed organising we could turn things around and create a future with more hope for working class people, for migrants, for everyone left out at the moment – turn around austerity, get rid of a brutal and racist government and drive the fascists back into shame and hiding.

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On Sunday a demo that was initially promoted as a ‘Gays Against Sharia’ protest, timed to exploit the anniversary of the Orlando nightclub attack, turned into one of the largest and most violent far-right protests seen in this country for several years.

This has come as something of a surprise, coming only a week after a national EDL demo in Liverpool pulled about 100 people and was comprehensively outnumbered, blocked and laughed out of town.

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That’s the whole EDL national demo there

from Merseyside AFN

On Saturday in Merseyside, the EDL thought they would hold one of their divisive, often violent, beer fuelled marches in our city. In the last couple of years Liverpool has set a precedent for not accepting bigoted fascists in whatever form they have taken, and yesterday was no exception.

UAF set up a static demonstration at Lime Street steps which was heavily policed and designed to have minimal contact with the fascists all day. Fortunately, many antifascists, both local and from outside the area had the common sense to ignore the kettle and headed down to London Road to confront the fascists in their own pub. Cans of lager flew from the fascists as police tried to keep an increasingly growing crowd of angry scousers back from the evidently tiny group of racists.

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From Brighton Antifascists

When we heard a few days ago that Tony Thommes, the Front National candidate for French Expats in Northern Europe, was planning a meeting at the King and Queen pub in Brighton today, we knew he’d regret it.

We put out a call at the last minute and gathered about 40 local militants outside the Pub, which was guarded by private security. Believing the meeting was already underway, we unfurled banners and placards and settled in for the long haul.

Then somebody spotted the man of the hour himself, Tony Thommes, walking up the road with a lone minder. There was a robust exchange of ideas between the FN candidate and local antifascists, which led to him fleeing across the Old Steine, pursued by a large crowd. After doing a loop of the Steine, the filth arrived, sparking another argument. Thommes was quickly escorted to a police van, and driven away for his own safety. Antifascists regrouped outside the King and Queen for a quick victory photo and then a trip to the pub, the racist’s meeting successfully cancelled.

Thanks to everyone who came out to keep Brighton fascist-free. We will always make sure that Brighton is a hostile place for the far-right, be they French, English or whatever. Contre le fascisme et le nationalisme, liberté pour tous!

Facebook event

No doubt inspired by the amazingly warm welcome fascists have always received from Scousers, The EDL are planning to have  a march in Liverpool on Saturday June 3rd. AFN groups and anti-fascists from around the country will be mobilising to support locals to tell the EDL where to go.

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“Now, whoever has courage and a strong and collected spirit in his breast, let him come forward, lace on the gloves and put up his hands.” – Virgil

“To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other in the face” – Jack Handey

The beginning of the month saw the first Physical Resistance Festival. Hosted by the Anti-Fascist Network, and inspired by events like the Polish Freedom Fighters tournament, it was a mash-up of combat sports, football and drinking.

The Saturday saw anti-fascist fighters from around the country jump into the ring to face off over the course of twenty Muay Thai and boxing bouts. The fights were a mix of novice and experienced bouts. Weeks and months of hard training paid off in an atmosphere of great mutual respect. Honours were shared between the Red and the Black corners.

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In late 2015 an activist with the Anti-Fascist Network went to Rojava (the liberated Kurdish area in northern Syria) to join the Kurdish fight for self-determination and against ISIS. They returned in summer 2016.

You are an animal rights and anti-fascist activist. Why did you go to Rojava to help the Kurds?

There are many reasons that I went to Rojava to help the Kurds. There was a curiosity about war and conflict that took me to Rojava. I wanted to see what it was like myself and have that experience. I wanted, in many ways, to escape the stagnant and repetitive existence that we are forced to endure here.

I also went because I liked what the Kurds were doing in Rojava and I believe in the concept of solidarity. This is their moment in history, they invite internationals to go and help them and I felt in some ways it was my duty to honour my belief system and join them. This is the nature of solidarity. If you sincerely believe that a better world is possible then you have to take risks and be prepared to make sacrifices. After four years of academia I liked the idea of once again, ‘getting my hands dirty.’ Too many people on the left are content to prioritise writing articles or doing a PhD in critical thinking or environmental studies or something and kid themselves that they’re still struggling as part of some sort of radical counter-culture or movement.

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