Stand up to Racism

UnityAnti-racist and anti-fascist magazine July/August 2016 Issue 16 £2 (where sold) uaf.org.uk

Stand up to Racism The far-right Interview The Convoy Yarl’s Wood: after the with Gary to Calais life in referendum Younge page 6 detention page 10 page 8 page 14 2 May/June 2016 Unity Headline

Standfirst

Body

Standing up to injustice

The NUT is proud of the work it does alongside Unite Against Fascism to campaign against racists and fascists. Thanks to the contributions of thousands of teachers to the union’s www.teachers.org.uk/edufacts political fund, the NUT is able to sponsor Unity magazine and to support campaigns against racist and fascist election candidates. nut.campaigns The fight for justice will continue until we have equality for all teachers and students. @NUTOnline Unity July/August 2016 3

United against prejudice and intolerance

I am pleased to write my first column in our opposition to this. for Unity Magazine and proud to be The ‘Refugees Welcome Here—Racism out of the Acting General Secretary of the the Referendum’ rally, which the NUT hosted in National Union of Teachers. late May, as well as the huge Refugees Welcome I would like to begin by paying tribute to demonstrations and the response to provide Christine Blower. Christine’s sterling work at aid to Calais, shows the enormous solidarity the NUT and her unstinting support for Unite for refugees. This is in stark contrast to the UK Against Fascism’s work in standing up to Government which is yet to provide proper prejudice and intolerance deserves immense support. It is about time that our government credit. commits to accepting its fair share of refugees. Like many others, I have been disappointed Refugee children arriving in UK schools can Unity magazine is distributed free by the unpleasant tenor of much of the expect the safe and welcoming environment to members of the National Union of debate on migration in the run that they deserve. I would like to take this Teachers for use with young people in up to the EU referendum. The opportunity to remind readers of the schools. To get copies for your school, use of the humanitarian crisis fantastic teaching resources that the NUT NUT association or division, please and vicious scapegoating of has produced on welcoming refugee email [email protected]. The magazine refugees to try and advance children to your school. These can be is also sent free to members of Unite political arguments has found at teachers.org.uk/equality/ Against Fascism. Other individuals, union been lamentable. We know equality-matters/refugee-teaching- branches or organisations who would the drill, and that racist and resources Please do make use of them like to receive copies should email the fascist parties seek to use if you can. UAF office on [email protected] For concerns over issues to build Best wishes, advertising or editorial enquiries, please their electoral base. We must Kevin Courtney email [email protected] or write to: always be vigilant Acting General Secretary Unity magazine, c/o UAF, and determined National Union of Teachers (NUT) PO Box 72710, London SW19 9GX

Production team Ken Olende, Weyman Bennett, Contents Sabby Dhalu, Mary Phillips

Cover photo Alf Dubs: Let the refugee kids in for the new term ��4 By Guy Smallman. Convoy to Calais protest at being stopped in Dover News round-up: Trump in Scotland ��5

Unite Against Fascism Convoy to Calais: Aid blocked at the border ��6 020 8971 7426 [email protected] Gary Younge interview: Don’t be apologetic over support for refugees ��8 uaf.org.uk Facebook: Unite Against Fascism The far-right after the referendum ��10 Twitter: @uaf Unite Against Fascism Stirring up the Olympic Games ��12 PO Box 72710, London SW19 9GX Interview with former Yarl’s Wood detainees: ‘It takes you to a dark world’ ��14 Stand Up to Racism Standing up to injustice [email protected] Austrian rerun election shows Freedom Party threat ��17 standuptoracism.org.uk Facebook: Stand Up To Racism The Civil Rights Movement Birmingham & the March on Washington ��18 Twitter: @AntiRacismDay SUtR, PO Box 72710, London SW19 9GX Social workers are determined to be a part of the solution �� 21 The NUT is proud of the work it does alongside Unite Against Fascism to campaign against racists and fascists. Love Music Hate Racism LGBT+ Solidarity with Orlando victims �� 22 [email protected] www.teachers.org.uk/edufacts Thanks to the contributions of thousands of teachers to the union’s lovemusichateracism.com Rotherham 12: Self defence is no offence �� 23 political fund, the NUT is able to sponsor Unity magazine and to Facebook: LoveMusicHateRacism support campaigns against racist and fascist election candidates. Twitter: @lmhrnational nut.campaigns Love Music Hate Racism The fight for justice will continue until we have equality for all PO Box 66759, London WC1A 9EQ teachers and students. © Unite Against Fascism @NUTOnline Printed by TU Ink 4 July/August 2016 Unity

Immigration Bill Help for unaccompanied child refugees Let the kids in for the new term

Labour peer Alf Dubs, who came to Britain as a child refugee from Czechoslovakia on the pre-war Kindertransport, told the Refugees Welcome—Racism out of the Referendum rally how he amended the immigration bill to help child refugees

I put down an amendment to the government’s Immigration Bill saying we should take 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees from Europe. The government were not keen on this. They said, “We’ll take some more from the Middle East, but we’re not taking anyone who is already in Europe”. Save the Children produced a report that said there were 26,000 unaccompanied child refugees in Europe. That turned out to be an underestimate— actually there are 95,000. And 10,000 of them have disappeared. Isn’t that shocking, that 10,000 children could disappear in Europe? We felt their need was enormous. But the government said if you take children who have reached Europe that will just Geoff Dexter Photo: encourage more to come. Children on a refugee protest in Calais I said there is no evidence of that, and anyway, given the dire circumstances were desperate to stop it. Some chuffed me a bit. in which some of these people find Conservative MPs who had said they would I went to Calais with an NGO.. It is themselves, the possibility that a few more back it now dithered a bit. shocking that people have to live in such might arrive is neither here nor there. We I sat in the gallery looking at the conditions, but it is exhilarating because it must do something for them now. If we’d Tory benches and give them the eye. shows the triumph of the human spirit. gone with what the government wanted But there was a small majority against. I met nine Afghan kids who all had full then nothing would have been done at all.. It got a bit complicated because the documentation. Some didn’t know if their Now what amazed me and helped to get original amendment said we should parents were alive. They were basically on this thing through—apart from the effort take 3,000. Now I don’t want to bore you their own. I took their documentation with from NGOs—was public support. Normally with the British Constitution but there is me and when I got back I sent a copy to when you open your mouth about something called “Financial Privilege”. the Home Office. I said if the amendments refugees you expect a lot of abuse. God, it’s awful. It means if the mean anything it must be that these This time I hardly got any at all. government sends something people are on your list. Then came the day when the back to the Lords the clerks can I’ve since found out that four of them anti-refugee Daily Mail came out stop it because it will have cost had got to Britain anyway on the back in support of the child refugees. implications. So we removed the of a truck. Now that’s a dangerous thing I was so astonished specific figure which meant they and in the past children have been killed, that I bought couldn’t put a cost to it. so I would have preferred them to travel a copy for the We took more soundings properly. first time in my and even some of those Tories What else can we do? If there is a local life. I wanted a who had dithered said they group helping refugees, join it. Secondly souvenir. were coming round. So the bring pressure to bear on local authorities Anyway the government backed off. to give help finding foster parents. amendment I had the pleasure of What we’re seeking to do is get as many got through seeing the government of the kids as possible over for the new the Lords. So order paper with school year in September. This is about it got to the Home Secretary helping refugees like these and stopping Commons and Theresa May’s name on the word refugee being stigmatised. It’s a the government Alf Dubs at Racism Out of the Referendum the amendment which matter of fundamental human rights. n Unity July/August 2016 5

News round-up Stand Up to Racism national A wall of protest in Scotland conference: No to Racism, against Donald Trump’s bigotry Islamophobia &

Around 150 anti-racists gathered Anti-Semitism at Trump Turnberry resort on Stand Up to Racism has called Friday 24th June to protest at the a major national conference in visit of Republican presidential London on Saturday 8th October. candidate Donald Trump. The lively It will bring together speakers, demonstration included a mariachi organisations and activists from anti- band, Mexican flags, performers on racist campaigns across Europe. The stilts and local people wearing kilts. conference will seek to examine the Keir McKechnie, spokesperson for Stand current humanitarian crisis in Europe up to Racism Scotland and one of the and develop an action plan for organisers of the protest, said, “Trump is activists and organisations who want not welcome in Scotland and his racist to campaign for more to be done for toxic poison is not welcome. We stand refugees. with the anti-racists, immigrants, trade Other issues that will be discussed unionists, LGBT+, black and marginalised include the tackling of Islamophobia communities who have united together to Anti Trump protesters in Scotland and anti-Semitism, how we defend oppose his rallies in cities across the United civil liberties and the fight against States, from Chicago to Dallas.” The presidential candidate had used the racism internationally. Human Rights Lawyer Aamer Anwar Republican leadership contest to ramp up Speakers include Diane Abbott MP, added, “Donald Trump might not be levels of racism, Islamophobia and bigotry Kate Osamor MP, Claude Moraes MEP, President yet but his toxic views divide in mainstream politics and created a Owen Jones (Guardian columnist), and incite hatred against Muslims and climate of reaction. Maurice Wren (Refugee Council Chief people of colour. He wants to bring back Trump launched his presidential Executive), Talha Ahmad (Muslim the politics of segregation for Muslims, campaign with a call to build a wall to keep Council of Britain), Mark Serwotka but how long before he turns his fire on Mexican immigrants out, as he says they (PCS union general secretary), Kevin other communities? It is deeply shameful are “criminals” and “rapists”. He also whipped Courtney (NUT Acting general and dangerous that the USA should have up Islamophobia in the wake of the Paris secretary). a presidential candidate whipping up a terror attacks by calling for a ban or “total See advert on back page poisonous cocktail of racism and threats to and complete shutdown” of US borders to standuptoracism.org.uk crush freedom of religion.” Muslims. How to deal with fascist ‘flash mobs’

Small, vicious fascist groups regularly try and hold demonstrations in towns and cities up and down the country. They can be very intimidating, but with a bit of organisation they can almost always be countered with a larger protest from local anti-fascists. See Unite Against Fascism’s practical guide on what to do if you find groups of Nazis and other racists descending on your town. It is partly based on experience from those areas that have already dealt with such demonstrations— often mobilising at short notice. Anti-racists stopped the fascist Britain First group from campaigning in Leicester’s See our guide on how to deal with them at uaf. city centre for two weeks running at the end of May. Protesters surrounded the org.uk/2016/06/what-to-do-if-fascists-do-flash-mob- Britain First stall, drowning them out with anti-racist chants, including, “There are demonstrations-in-your-town many, many more of us than you. And we’re black, white, Asian and we’re Jews.” 6 July/August 2016 Unity

Convoy to Calais 18th June A convoy taking aid and hope to Calais was blocked at the border

Some 200 vehicles set out in a convoy to take aid collected around Britain to the refugee camp outside Calais on Saturday 18th June. It showed the level of support for refugees among ordinary people—but the majority were stopped at Dover

ehicles gathered early in the morning in Whitehall, V central London. The Convoy to Calais wanted the prime minister, David Cameron, to hear it leave. It was organised by Stand Up to Racism, the People’s Assembly, Momentum and the Muslim Association of Britain, among others. At the launch, Sabby Dhalu of Stand Up to Racism, said, “What we have across Europe is not a humanitarian crisis, it is a crisis of politicians losing their humanity and conceding to racist, far-right and fascist groups and refusing to take refugees.” Diane Abbott MP said, “This convoy symbolises hope; it symbolises solidarity and that a better world is possible. In the darkness we must look towards light. I

have been to the camps in Calais and in Olende Ken Photo: Greece. I know how desperately needed this solidarity is. People from the convoy protest as after being told they cannot cross the frontier at Dover “I want to bring you a message of solidarity from the leader of the Labour Norwich Stand Up to Racism said that they to attitudes in Norfolk. We’ve got people in Party, Jeremy Corbyn, and I want to wish have organised two mini buses, including the Mothers’ Union getting really angry. It’s everybody in the convoy and everybody one from the local mosque, and are about keeping pressure on Norfolk County helping to support the convoy a great trip bringing 26 people to join the convoy in Council who have not yet accepted any and a safe trip.” Dover. “The convoy has brought together refugees.” Some people joining the convoy from the movement and the trade unions,” she The convoy assembled at a motorway round the country have not been able said. “We raised over £2,200 in total for service station—now more than 250 to come to London. Julie Bremner from refugees. This is making a real difference vehicles—to drive together into Dover, Breaking Borders art auction

The Stand Up to Racism group in Waltham Forest in north east London raised £7,440 for refugees in Calais with an art auction. It was among many local groups that arranged fundraising activities to support the convoy. Two Waltham Forest artists, Esther Neslen and Lorraine Huddle started the ball rolling by asking local artists to donate works. Collette Levi, Holocaust survivor who is a poet and artist, opened the Breaking Borders 2 exhibition showing the works at the local pub. A week later the art works were auctioned. Unity July/August 2016 7 Photo: Guy Smallman Photo: Around 200 cars, vans and other vehicles set out from Whitehall on the Convoy to Calais where it was held up by the police. The first two cars advanced to the “frontier Immigrants are responsible for the closure control” and after a long delay were Rufus Hound of libraries because the funding has to be refused entry by the French authorities. spent on getting them houses rather than The reasons given for refusing the convoy The Actor and comedian spoke to buying books. But it is lies. entry were spurious, including the “State of Unity at the Convoy to Calais rally. We are being comprehensively lied Emergency”, football hooliganism and the to. But the lie is so audacious and at such threat of terrorist attack. How did you get involved a scale that people can’t believe it’s a lie. Organisers of the convoy negotiated with Convoy? To some extent if you had to genuinely with British police and then with the believe that the way in which capital and French border authorities, but were I’ve been a supporter of the People’s power collude to maintain the status turned down. They did manage to get the Assembly for a while and their actions quo you look like a tin hatted conspiracy authorities to agree that two lorries full of against cuts. My politics became theorist, in spite of the fact that all the aid could go through. increasingly obvious the more I spoke evidence is available and obvious. Members of the convoy then left their about issues like the privatisation of the vehicles and blocked the entrance to the NHS. How does the refugee crisis port as they held a peaceful protest. Some We live in an age where fame is a kind relate to austerity? chanted, “‘Freedom of movement is a right, of currency. I have some. I’d rather spend it not just for the rich and white”. on trying to draw people’s attention to the If you take a group of people and make Raheel Khaliq of Syria Relief spoke to fact that the way we are told our society them out to be the cause of all our Stand Up to Racism, just by the frontier operates and the problems our society problems then rather straightforwardly the control. He had driven down from faces are largely lies. eradication of those people becomes the Manchester with a van load of relief The evidence is out there. We live in the solution. Seventy years ago there was the supplies. information age—but because final solution; now we have this temporary “We’re based in Manchester and we we live in the information age solution. focus predominantly on helping people everyone is overwhelmed inside Syria,” he said. “But since the refugee with information. So it just How can people in politics crisis developed last year we’ve branched comes down to instinct get people to trust them? out and help refugees elsewhere—in areas and what your best mate like Turkey, Greece and so on. And anyone thinks. No one is prepared I don’t know if that is we can help here as well.” to change their mind based necessarily the right approach. And have they ever been stopped from on facts. It’s not that politicians delivering aid before? “When we very first So every newspaper that have to regain our started in 2011 we had issues sending you’re likely to come in contact trust. Its that we as containers to Syria, but that was when the with says immigrants did citizens have to conflict had just started and obviously it this or immigrants did that. elect people that was very difficult. Otherwise we’ve never Immigrants are leading we feel we can had anything like this before. to the death of the NHS. trust. “To be perfectly honest I’m absolutely 8 July/August 2016 Unity

astounded that here in Europe we’re attempting to deliver aid and essentially we’re being held back by another European power. “Right now the Euro 2016 football championship is happening in France. Hundreds of thousands of people are pouring into the country. All these people travelling wasn’t an issue when they bid for the championship and they’ve had no qualms since. But a convoy of 250 cars taking aid to refugees is too much. We’re just normal people trying to help.” Much of the convoy then drove back to London to protest outside the French embassy. Several batches of aid were symbolically placed on the steps of the embassy. One organiser said, “We expect the French government to deliver that for us first thing on Monday morning.” But the police removed it as the French have refused to Some of the Convoy to Calais who were not stopped dropped off supplies at a storage warehouse near Calais

Interview Gary Younge People should be able to travel

Journalist and author Gary Younge spoke to Unity the day before the Convoy to Calais left about refugees, racism, resistance and the political situation in Britain, and the US with Black Lives Matter and the Presidential election

How does the Convoy to Calais fit in What about the French attempt thing about the Eastern Bloc was that with the current political situation? to ban the Convoy to Calais? they didn’t let people travel and politics kept them in. But as soon as the wall There’s a constituency in Britain that It’s interesting, isn’t it? If I were to move came down they said they can’t travel and has not yet been courted by the main a million pounds from Britain to France economics kept them out. parties. It is not xenophobic and is not I’d have absolutely no problem. There’s I believe in free movement and travel. antagonistic to asylum seekers—people no control over capital movement. But if People should be able to move around who do want to extend the hand of a person who is poor, possibly starving, the world. It’s our world and we should solidarity and assistance. running away from war, tries to cross a be able to move in it. But you don’t have It’s very important that people see that border they are stopped. to embrace that view to support this because the rhetoric we get primarily from And even if we try to cross a border demonstration. But it’s curious the degree the right—but frankly not just from the to support them we are stopped. So to which both sides in the referendum right—is that refugees, asylum seekers and money has more rights than people and are either apologetic or apoplectic about immigrants are only a problem. Somehow that’s a disgrace. And particularly in this the fact that human beings are allowed to our capacity to see them as human beings moment when people are talking about travel freely across the continent. and to support them is supposed to be the benefits of free movement in the diminished by their poverty. EU—notice that it’s free movement as Do you think the media has a ready And since we’re human beings we can’t long as you aren’t going to help the most narrative for events like the Orlando let that happen. desperate. massacre or the murder of Jo Cox? We can look back in history to times The arguments round the EU have when that has happened before and it been pushed to the right—there’s been I think we should always be open. We didn’t end well. We need to ensure that a competition between leaders of official should always wait for the facts. Whether doesn’t happen again. These people are campaigns to say we can both stop free it’s a Palestinian that kills an Israeli; or if being demonised, and we should support movement. It’s curious. During the Cold Israel bombs Gaza; or the murder of Jo them. War they used to say that the most terrible Cox; or the killings in Orlando. We should Unity July/August 2016 9

take it, and convoy supporters took it back and poverty’.” At the end of the day, we drove miles to find another way to deliver it. A minibus from Lambeth was separated out of town to a remote field where the Weyman Bennett from Stand Up to from the main convoy and was not authorities had granted permission for a Racism told the crowd, “The aid that has stopped at the border. They report what rally to be held. It was a small gathering of been delivered in Calais has come from should have happened on a much larger all those who managed to get through. the people. It has not come from David scale if the rest of the convoy was not Around 100 people listened to a group Cameron or Francois Hollande. We are all blocked. of refugees on stage, talking about their 24 hours away from being treated as a They reported, “Our donations included experiences on the camp. refugee. For a few moments at the border £500 from train drivers and teachers and Their stories were moving, in particular we had the experience that refugees feel £400 from school children. We went to from one young man from Sudan. The all the time of being held back by police at the Care4Calais distribution centre and frustration was so explicit as he spoke the border.” emptied our minibus of clothes, shoes and about the way refugees are portrayed in Zak Cochrane added, “We are five other donations. the media, the dehumanisation and the days away from a referendum where “As we arrived we met delegations from preconceptions. they are trying to keep refugees out. And Wakefield and Birmingham who had also “The message from our group in today they tried to keep us in. We say to made it over without any problem. response was unanimous. Yes we took David Cameron and Francois Holland, “We visited the ‘Jungle’ camp and were supplies over, because we know people are ‘We welcome refugees here and we will struck by how quickly the bulldozed area cold and hungry. But we are not a charity. continue to bring solidarity to refugees had grown over. There was no evidence of Ultimately we want the camps to be closed in Calais and across Europe. We stand in the large sections of homes that we had down and the people living there allowed absolute solidarity with people fleeing war seen in January and February. into Britain.” n never support the collective punishment for the crash. You can’t get your hands on exclusively black men. And to that extent of a group for the actions of a minority. the people who caused your wages to it is still going on. Interestingly in America Jews are not responsible for Israel. stagnate, your tuition fees to go up, your when electoralism comes to the fore Muslims are not responsible for everything health fees to go up—so you look for the politics recedes. that a Muslim does. Interestingly we’re person closest that you can find to blame. What’s amazing about the Black Lives not going to talk at the moment about They could be Mexican; they could be Matter movement in a way was that what whiteness and white people. Frankly that’s Roma; they could be asylum seekers. In it did wasn’t that it showed a huge rise a good thing. I wish that every conversation a sense to the assailant it doesn’t matter. in police killings, but that it shone a light that took place in the moments after an act In that sense America is no different to on ongoing events. That’s still happening. of terror could be framed like this. here. So there you have Trump, here in Those that are caught on video make What’s clear even now is that the notion Europe you have Le Pen, the True Finns, a splash—sometimes. There’s no real that he was a lone crazed killer. But this Geert Wilders. They’re really all doing the urgent, obvious logic as to what makes the thing happened in a context. You don’t kill same thing, which is playing on popular headlines and what doesn’t. an MP by accident. That’s not an accidental disaffection and leveraging it for their But a generation has target. It’s an act of political violence and own sectarian interests. been galvanised in a way has to be understood as such, in the same that we haven’t seen way that Orlando has to be understood as We hear less about Black since the Civil Rights a hate crime and an act of homophobia. Lives Matter now. Is there movement. That will go Those facts are already clear; then we still an ongoing movement? in ebbs and flows but can wait for the other facts to come out. it’s not going away. n One has to be careful of the The image you get from the US degree to which one understands is of an enormous xenophobic it as a movement as opposed tide. Surely this can’t be an to a series of connected accurate image of all of the US? but somewhat spontaneous No. And the flip side of the Donald responses that Trump phenomenon is the Bernie were connected Sanders phenomenon of people who are by a theme— incredibly hopeful, engaged and spirited. the state Unlike Britain, America does have execution a story that it has to tell itself about of mostly immigration. If you start from the basis but not that immigration is a bad thing then give it back to the Indians. I saw a great bumper sticker once that said, “America: love it or give it back”. So there should be some breaks. But what America is experiencing is the same as throughout the Western world, which is that nobody paid the price 10 July/August 2016 Unity Analysis Racism in Britain The far-right in Britain is still isolated after the EU referendum

Weyman Bennett, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor, looks at the degree to which democratic and multicultural Britain is threatened by the far-right in Britain as racism spikes after the European Union referendum

he far-right sees the referendum decision to leave the TEuropean Union (EU) as a chance to grow. Racists have gone on the offensive—in some areas reports of hate crimes have gone up by 50%. And overshadowing everything is the awful murder during the campaign of Labour MP Jo Cox, who fought for people to respect our multicultural society. This Thomas Mair, the man charged with shooting and stabbing her, said in court that his name was “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain”. He has been associated with far-right groups. Racism has been built up through the EU referendum campaign. But we also have years of anti-racist activity that means whenever the right come out there are already local UAF and other local anti- fascist groups prepared to stand up to them. @GeorgeGilbert Photo: Wherever the range of small Nazi A crowd of people who turned out in Southampton to show the fascists they have no support groups puts their head up they are being challenged by almost-always larger groups cancelled through fear of the fascist classified into several different types. of anti-racists (see “Fascists and the far march. The racists had felt bolder and the Classical fascism is the politics of Adolf right in Britain in 2016—a short guide” anti-racists more fearful. But thousands of Hitler and Benito Mussolini. They used and “What to do if fascists do flash mob Muslims should not have felt they could a twin-track approach of standing in demonstrations in your town” on the UAF not come onto the streets. elections and at the same time building website, uaf.org.uk). The soft racist who was convinced that mass paramilitary street movements. Most people—including the vast immigrants are in some way responsible Horror at the Holocaust meant that for majority of those who voted to leave the for austerity will not automatically line many years fascists have found it difficult EU—are shocked by the racists’ abuse and up behind the hard racists. That is why to build such movements under any violence. the demonstration against Racism and circumstances. It is a chilling development A fascist “repatriation” demonstration Austerity in London on Saturday 16th July that organisations such as Golden Dawn in in Newcastle the day after the result is so important. The protest called by Stand Greece and Jobbik in Hungary have grown was disgusting, but there were fewer Up to Racism and the People’s Assembly recently in some parts of Europe. than 40 racists on it. A far larger counter- can isolate the racists. However, a more common strategy has demonstration held up a banner saying Hope and despair take flight from the been euro-fascism. Such organisations have “Refugees welcome here”. same sky. The worst thing we can do is tried to escape pariah status by distancing Nazis in Southampton only managed give in to despair or believe we face an themselves from their fascist roots. The to mobilise 30 people a week later. They unstoppable tide of racism. As the racist Front National (FN) in France pioneered had to be escorted out of town by the rhetoric grew during the campaign, Stand the method of dropping the boots police. Ranged against them were 1,300 Up to Racism held a successful “Refugees and putting on suits—replacing street anti-racists on a rapidly organised counter- are Welcome Here—Racism Out of the fighting with electioneering. Its founder demo. Referendum” rally in London. Jean Marie Le Pen also dropped some of The local Eid celebrations had been Far-right and fascist groups can be the cruder forms of racism and biological Unity July/August 2016 11

A much larger group of anti-fascists countered the Nazi demonstration in Newcastle calling for repatriation just after the referendum result determinism—but not their core fascist promises and expose its fascist roots. It lost Conservative cabinet. It’s a pity that the ideas, however they attempted to dress its seats, lost confidence and broke up. same has not happened to politicians them up. Some of the fragments were involved who have scapegoated migrants in the Now under the leadership of Marine Le in the growth of the EDL, a movement of current government. The fascist National Pen the organisation tries to appear ever anti-Muslim racist thugs with fascist and Front claimed 14,000 members in 1976 more outwardly respectable. Jean Marie Islamophobic ideologies that was able and did well in local elections. For instance was expelled last year, but only because he to mobilise up to 5,000 people. This too it got 20% of the vote in local elections in exposed the deep well of Holocaust denial was stopped by mass mobilisations on Leicester. and hatred of the Muslim community at its the streets and was stopped by a mass People remember the punk movement heart. mobilisation notably in Walthamstow and and a generalised suspicion of authority The third organisational method is of Tower Hamlets in East London. and the establishment in the 1970s that racist populist parties which are not fascist The fascist movement in Britain has looks familiar at the moment. But anger but use racism as a mobilising factor. yet to recover. There is no place for at the establishment went in different The final method is street-fighting complacency given the tragic murder of directions—not all anti-racist. Many early groups—typified by the EDL—that seek Jo Cox and the impact on the referendum punks flirted with Nazi swastikas and to politically dominate the streets against campaign. occasionally NF politics. people and groups they consider to be On the last of the last 29 demonstrations But anti-racists came together and inferior. In Britain all of these groups remain from Rotherham to Bristol anti-fascists formed Rock Against Racism and the isolated and fragmented—but where they outnumbered the fascists by 10 or 20 Anti Nazi League. Through a grassroots organise they are nasty. to one. The potential for building mass movement round the country they pushed The belief of fascist groups like movements against racism and fascism the racists back, making that kind of overt Britain First (BF) that they can benefit remains our most potent force. racism unacceptable. We need to push a has been misplaced. All the predictions It’s worth comparing this to the overt similar alliance of anti-racist artists now of a breakthrough for the Nazis in the racism in the 1960s and 1970s. When from grime artists like Stormzy across to London election were shown up when BF Enoch Powell made his “Rivers of Blood” Charlotte Church who has supported the candidate Paul Golding got a derisory vote. speech in 1968 he was removed from the Convoy to Calais. Labour’s Muslim candidate Sadiq Khan With the spike in racist attacks after won decisively, despite a highly racialised the referendum there is no room for any campaign, where Conservative candidate complacency. We need much bigger, more Zac Goldsmith all but accused Khan of links ‘The worst thing we active, more confident groups. to extremism. Everyone should come on the Remember it was only in 2009 that can do is give in to demonstration against racism and austerity the British National Party had two MEPs, called by Stand Up to Racism and the a member of the London Assembly and despair or believe we People’s Assembly on Saturday 16th July. more than 60 local councillors. It had used What we do on 16th July will be watched the euro-fascist method and thought it across Europe. And join us at the Stand would go from strength to strength. It was face an unstoppable Up to Racism Conference on Saturday 8th removed from the political scene by anti- October (see back page) to help make the fascist campaigning. Unite Against Fascism tide of racism’ movement against racism in this country led a campaign to argue against its lying bigger and stronger. n 12 July/August 2016 Unity

The Olympics Radicalism, anti-racism and multiculturalism Stirring up the Olympic Games

by Denis Fernando, drummer London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony and anti‑racist activist

he Olympics have historically played an important role in Tboth reflecting and advancing the changing times. This key sporting event provides a unique moment where the whole world is watching. On a number of occasions the Games have awarded iconic stature to those on the right side of history with a power that endures beyond sporting achievement. Denis (centre) with other Pandemonium drummers at the anti-EDL protest in Walthamstow We remember some such moments on these pages. I was lucky enough to be one represented the workers of the time, League marched in Walthamstow in East of the volunteers when film director Danny whose efforts and toil paved the way London at the end of that heady summer, Boyle put on the opening ceremony for the for modern society. The ceremony also I was joined by fellow drummers at a London 2012 Olympic Games. celebrated the contribution of migrants Unite Against Fascism demonstration This ceremony wowed audiences who came from the Caribbean on the rejecting their division. The EDL was around the world, for the simple reason Empire Windrush, the Suffragettes whose completely at odds with the international that Boyle’s creative team held up a mirror protests heralded women’s equality, and spirit of coming together represented by to our society with diversity at its core. the NHS. At the heart of every section was the Olympics and the Paralympics. I was a “Pandemonium drummer”, the diversity with people from around the London can be proud of both games, heartbeat of the changing scenery during country and around the world taking part. particularly of hosting the most successful the Industrial Revolution sequence. We When the racist English Defence Paralympic games so far. n

The young Muhammad Ali, as Cassius Clay, won gold as Muhammad Ali a light heavyweight boxer at the 1960 Rome Olympics Muhammad Ali—whose loss was felt around the world—first rose to prominence as Olympic boxer Cassius Clay. He changed his name when he joined the Nation of Islam—rejecting the “slave name” that his family was given from the family that had “owned” them. When he returned to the US with his gold medal a restaurant in his hometown, Louisville, still refused to serve him because they saw him as a black man not an American champion. This is a reminder that the racist system of oppression discriminates against of his boxing titles and banned from domination of white slave masters of black people regardless of status. leaving the country. He famously said, the darker people the world over.” Ali was at the forefront of the big “Man, I ain’t got no quarrel with them Ali inspired because he defied the changes of the time, particularly on Viet Cong. No Viet Cong ever called me injustice of the times and defined war, racism and religion. Perhaps his ‘nigger’. the changes that were to come. As a most iconic act came when he refused “I’m not going 10,000 miles from Muslim, anti-racist, anti-war man born to be drafted into the US army for the home to help murder and burn another in the segregation era, he overcame Vietnam War. For this he was stripped poor nation simply to continue the adversities to be revered the world over. Unity July/August 2016 13

Tommie Smith and John Carlos

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medallists in the 200m at Mexico 1968, stood with their heads bowed and a black-gloved hand raised as the American National Anthem played during the medal ceremony. Smith said he had raised his right fist to represent black power in America, while Carlos raised his left fist to represent black unity. Together they formed an arch of unity and power. The black scarf represented black pride and the black socks with no shoes stood for black poverty. Smith said, “If I win I am an American, not a black American. But if I did something bad then they would say ‘a Negro’ We are black and we are proud of being black. Black America will understand what we did tonight.” As they left the podium they were booed by many in the crowd and within hours their actions were condemned by the International Olympic Committee, yet the “Black Power Salute” protest has become one of Olympics’ most iconic Tommie Smith (centre) and John Carlos make their iconic “black power” salute as moments. the national anthem was played during the medals ceremony in Mexico 1968 Jesse Owens Adolf Hitler planned to use the Berlin Olympics in 1936 to “prove” the superiority of the Aryan master race to the world. He would showcase Nazi politics to the world. This ideology was the basis for their attempted mass annihilation of Jewish people. Roma, LGBT+, Black, Disabled communities and others were also their victims. Black American athlete Jesse Owens defied the Nazis, sealing his place in Olympic history by becoming the most successful athlete of the 1936 Games. Owens also became the first American to win four track and field gold medals at a single Olympics (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump), a record that stood unbroken for 48 years. Hitler apparently changed his tune after Owens’ victories, now saying black people were better because they were “primitive”. But, however he wriggled the Kinue Hitomi won silver for Japan and Lina Radke won gold for Germany in the humiliation stung. 800m during the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam Against the exclusion of women

Women were barred from taking part in the first modern Olympics in 1896 and it wasn’t until the Amsterdam Games in 1928 that women competed in the core track and field events. This change came after women—organised by French rower Alice Milliat—set up an alternative Women’s World Games which proved that women could take part in such sports. Four of these took place between 1922 and 1934. It wasn’t until 1991 that any new sport seeking to join the Olympics had to have women’s competitions. At the 1996 Atlanta Games there were still 26 countries that sent no women to compete. But, with the addition of women’s boxing, the 2012 Games in London were the first in which women competed in all the sports on the programme and 44% of the participants were women. Jesse Owens in the men’s 200m at Berlin 14 July/August 2016 Unity Immigration detention Interview Detention takes you to a dark world where you are a nobody

Patricia and Becky (not their real names) are two African women who have been held in Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre. They spoke to Ken Olende about the violence they were fleeing and the reality of detention

erco, the private security firm that runs even know why. People who visit for the first time as Yarl’s Wood, refers to people who stay befrienders are so shocked. Sthere as “residents”. However, it is officially “When you arrive as a detainee they take called an “Immigration Removal Centre”. It everything from you, including your phone. You are is one of a network of such centres where given a different phone with no camera. They make “failed” asylum seekers, people who have you feel like a nobody.” overstayed visas and other people thought There are 13 similar centres around the country, to be in the country illegally are held. but Yarl’s Wood in Bedfordshire is where most women .Becky and Patricia, who come from West Africa, and people with families are held. It locks up over 350 were detained there separately in recent years. They detainees. say it is very intimidating. “The centres should be closed,” Becky said. “The “The detention centre is not a holiday place,” said asylum process is not quick and people who have Patricia. “I saw a lot of racism there. done nothing wrong should not be locked up. “There are lots of people from different places— “At least half the people held are later released. including black Africans, and people from India and So why are tax payers paying to support this? If the Pakistan. But most of the staff only see you as the government really thinks immigration is such an other colour, not human with the same head as them. important issue it should put more people to look I think it’s racist. This wouldn’t happen if you were into cases so they don’t drag on.” born here. These are not places where people are held “You are reduced to nothing. It makes you crazy. for a day or two after all other avenues have been It is a dark world. You don’t have access to so many exhausted. things.” “You can feel you’ll be in Yarl’s Wood forever,” Becky Becky said, “It’s more than a prison. In prison you go said. “I was held for five months. Later I was detained to serve a sentence, and then you get out. But often again for seven months. I met people who had been your time in detention will be indefinite.Y ou don’t there for more than two years. At the end people

The perimeter fence at Yarl’s Wood covered in graffiti after a protest calling for the centre’s closure Unity July/August 2016 15 were asked why they are here. A judge asked why people were held that long.” The two women explained the circumstances that led to their detention. Patricia is a nurse. “I was living with my husband’s family in Nigeria,” she said. “I am Christian, but they are Muslim and they wanted to convert me. They treated me like a slave. My husband is a British citizen and he was living here. When he arranged for me to join him I thought I was coming to heaven. But really it was getting out of the frying pan into the fire.” She suffered serious domestic violence, but was unsure what she could do because she didn’t know the system here. But she got to know people at the church that they went to. The church told him to stop his violent behaviour, but he continued and stopped attending. “Sometimes at night I had to run to people’s houses for safety,” she said. “It was very difficult for me to leave, partly because we married back home, not just here. But after some time I was finally kicked out. I had some friends who I used to work with and they took me into their house where I am still staying. Through this period I made three or four applications to the Home Office, but they were all refused.” In March 2014 the Home Office wrote to her solicitor about her submission. The following week she says it wrote to her directly. “They said I had entered Olende Ken Photo: the country illegally. But this wasn’t true and they had A protest outside Yarl’s Wood in 2015, calling for its closure seen my details from the day that I entered.” She was told to sign every two weeks in South London. “One and I started talking to my work colleagues and they day in May 2015 I went to sign at about 9am and they told me this was domestic violence. I started speaking Immigration told me I was having an interview.” out and said I would have nothing to do with him.” detention centres She was immediately detained. “I asked what my She moved out and found a flat of her own and offence was. I had signed when they asked and obeyed started to take legal action over the domestic violence. A total of 32,446 people entered the law, but now they locked me up. I was held in But the five-year visa she got once she finished immigration detention in Britain Colnbrook detention centre for two days. But we didn’t studying depended on the relationship she was in. during 2015, an increase of 7% on arrive there till around 10.30pm in the evening. I hadn’t She was stopped by immigration at the airport the previous year. But the number had anything to eat or drink all day. When I arrived I on the way back from a visit to Germany. “I didn’t who had to leave the country after asked a young lady on the staff for water. But she just understand what was going on,” she said. “I was being detained dropped to 45%. switched off the light and said everybody is sleeping handcuffed. It was really traumatic. I’d always thought now. that people who were handcuffed had committed a The first immigration detention “I didn’t have anything until the next morning. No crime, but I didn’t know what crime I was supposed to centre opened in 1989. Yarl’s one told me where the kitchen was until I saw some have committed.” Wood, designed for women and others. It was the people on day shift the next day She was told that her ex-partner had called and families, opened in November brought food. said she had ended the relationship, so she no longer 2001—at the time it was the “I wanted to fax some things to my solicitor, but had any right to be in Britain. She was given a ticket largest detention centre in Europe. they said I had to wait to my final destination.” deporting her back to Germany the next day. She After two days she was told she was being moved refused to get on the flight and was sent toY arl’s Wood. It has always been controversial, to Yarl’s Wood. Patricia recalled her experience, “They didn’t even and closed for a period after a fire Becky explained her situation: “I came to Britain to tell me they were detaining me. I was just put in a van. gutted much of it during 2002. study and completed a masters degree. I had a partner It felt like going to the end of the world. They search from my country who moved in with me while I was you from head to toe. But you have already been A Channel 4 undercover a student. We were together for more than five years. searched and you are being transferred. They don’t investigation in 2015 exposed self Throughout the relationship he was very violent to me want to recognise you are a human being. You are harm among inmates and racist and raped me. But because of the background I come treated like an object. They don’t explain why they are abuse from some guards. from, I just thought that was a normal relationship taking you. When you are finally finished the process of between a man and a woman. I had seen my dad be reception they take you to Crane section, which is for A report by the government’s chief violent to my mum. new arrivals. They lock it as you go in, so you don’t have inspector of prisons last year called “My partner had been an EU citizen for more than access to see anyone. Yarl’s Wood a “place of national 20 years so he knew everything better than me. I was “And it can take two or three days before you go concern” . It found that 42% of naïve at that age and I didn’t know the area where we through induction. women said they “felt unsafe at lived. He warned me not to talk to neighbours because “If you report sick they have to handcuff you to take the centre”. they are not nice. I worked, but he took control of the you to hospital. But you haven’t done anything wrong. money. He went on holidays and had relationships One lady tried to ask about the medicine she was A series of protests outside the with other women. being given and before you know it she was rounded centre have called for it to be “I was suffering from depression. But I was working up by guards. We were asked to leave. I don’t know closed. 16 July/August 2016 Unity

In response to the situation and how they were treated women in the centre took part in protests and hunger strikes. “We were very limited in the kinds of protests we could make as detainees,” Becky said. “The most frequent thing we did was hunger strikes. After the woman died we refused to eat and we sat on the floor and we were constantly in touch with people outside so they knew what was happening. I had seen a good book called A Self Help Guide Against Detention and Deportation by Legal Aid for Women so I rang them and they rang me back and supported me. That was how I got in touch with the Crossroads people. Patricia remembered another protest. “I witnessed a lady with high blood pressure who almost collapsed,” she said. “I told the unit officer they needed to call the medical team but they did not want to. I had to keep saying how ill she was and eventually they called the team. When the medical team arrived they asked me to leave and said I was being too nosy. But I said she could have a heart attack or a stroke. They said it’s none of my business, but I said of course it’s my business. We refused to go until they called an The entrance to Yarl’s Wood detention centre ambulance.” Becky said, “Most of the women there are running what happened to her after that.” away from terrible trouble. They are victims of torture Becky said, “You’re not allowed to have an opinion. or rape. Some have fled to this country. Others were You are just a number among a large number of victims of domestic violence here, including a lot of people they are trying to get out of the country. I the Asian women. These women don’t always speak became depressed there. English and can’t represent themselves. “If you object, even to ask why you are being given “I was shaking to see that people fleeing torture a certain medication, if you object to any rules, you faced what I think is more torture here. I saw women will be transferred to Kingfisher—the isolation wing. being dragged to Kingfisher House handcuffed—and “Some of the staff handing out medication were also being filmed. Staff are racist to your face.” not trained in the medical field. I remember a case Patricia added that minor things also show the when a lady challenged the person giving her system is wrong. Detainees are charged high prices medicine about why their medication had been for toiletries. “Where do they expect you to get changed and he just said, ‘I’m not trained in that’.” money?” Patricia said, “I was given some medication. As a While asylum seekers aren’t allowed to work in nurse I asked her what she was giving me. They just Britain, people can work while they are detained— said take your medication. That night I had chest serving food, cleaning floors and so on. Patricia is pains and redness. I reported to the unit office. They angry at the wages. “People were paid £1 an hour,” she said they would get the medical team but I waited said. “That is abuse. Yet Serco is getting nearly £200 a three hours. When I got there I said I wanted to see a day per person.” doctor. They acted as if I was making it up.” Becky thinks it is sad that so many people in Britain Yarl’s Wood has a very bad reputation for are hostile to refugees. “People don’t just get up and inappropriate and abusive treatment of prisoners. move,” she said. “There is a reason why they leave. If “When the story came out we knew exactly what something terrible happened in Britain today you was going on,” said Becky. “Even some for the staff would run away to save your lives. You might not even were upset. One said to us that what he’d seen was have time to think what to take with you. You’d just go not right. and look for somewhere where you would be safe. “Yarl’s Wood is a women’s detention centre but “And sometimes the terrible things that caused Crossroads when I was there in 2013 the vast majority of staff people to run away are problems that others were men. They push into women’s rooms without have created. When European governments or The book Becky recommends is even knocking, sometimes when people are dressing. America support wars they don’t always think of the A Self Help Guide Against There were times when people were being harassed consequences. So I think people here should be more Detention and Deportation by male officers talking about women who would open to refugees. by Legal Action for Women. It is comment on things like their breasts. “And remember what the forefathers of people available from crossroadswomen.net “There was one staff member who was really arriving now did to build this country. This kingdom’s Email [email protected] sexually harassing women and I think that was known wealth came out of the slave trade. Schools should to everybody. Some staff had girlfriends who were teach this more. We immigrants and refugees are not Befrienders detainees and would talk openly about it. a problem. We contribute a lot. Look at the health “Some women were really desperate. They thought service. How many doctors or nurses were born here?” The Anyone interested in befriending staff would help and people took advantage of them. Both Patricia and Becky have been released and detainees at Yarl’s Wood should go to While I was there we knew of one room with no CCTV are still living in Britain, though neither has yet been ywbefrienders.org camera where abuse took place.” offered a secure right to remain. n Unity July/August 2016 17 Europe Austria Rerun election shows Freedom Party threat

by Manfred Ecker editor of Neue Linkswende will be cut by more than 50%. Meanwhile, in nurseries children of nti-fascists were given immigrants are compelled to recite five a breathing space by May’s German poems and five German songs. Apresidential election where the The Freedom Party is initiating a new Green candidate defeated Norbert law to make nurseries key places in the Hofer of the Freedom Party (FPÖ). preservation of cultural folklore. But now judges have said that due to It now seems inevitable that the irregularities the election must be rerun in Freedom Party will win the next general September. election, but the anti-fascist movement The narrow victory in May came about is not throwing in the towel. One in four thanks to the anti-fascist movement in people who took part in the presidential the streets. But the margin was only 0.6 election voted just to stop Hofer becoming percentage points. It remains a major president. And more than a million breakthrough for the Freedom Party and people—from a population of eight there is a serious danger that Hofer could million—have been active in helping win the rerun. The Freedom Party’s Norbert Hofer lost by just 0.6% refugees over the last ten months. So our The Freedom Party started hinting task is to mobilise this huge force and about electoral fraud weeks before the confident and angry—believing that make it visible on the streets. elections. It is exploiting a generalised victory was stolen by its various “enemies”. It Nazi gangs may be marching and the feeling that a diffuse elite has betrayed the is already in coalitions that run two federal Freedom Party is trying to mobilise against people. states—Upper Austria and Burgenland. But shelters for asylum seekers, but up to now It has managed to lump together the this puts it in a risky position. How does it the anti-fascists remain stronger on the bigwigs in Brussels and the radical left in avoid being seen as just another corrupt streets. many people’s minds. The “lying media”, the political party? Its solution is to join in Every success for us anti-fascists causes Greens, the Social Democrats, feminists, pushing through neoliberal policies, but to tension between camps in the Freedom Bilderbergers, Barack Obama, finance add a racist twist. For example, benefits are Party calling for respectability and institutions and refugees are all placed in under attack, but if you are a refugee who those who openly support fascist street the same camp. cannot prove exemplary “integration”, they mobilisations. n This may seem laughable, but it convinces many of the party’s newly won voters, who are being moulded into a movement of righteously furious people. Hostility to neoliberal cuts pushed by the European Union (EU) is growing—and the Freedom Party has the support of 75% of those who are hostile. It is the only large party that is not pro-EU. Just three weeks after the election a group of neo-Nazis, called the “Identitarian movement”, tried to march through an immigrant area of Austria’s capital, Vienna. This gang has close ties to the party—its leaders meet at the same fascist student fraternities. Anti-fascists blocked the road, but were cleared off the street by riot police so the Nazis could march a few hundred metres to the next train station. The vote has left the right both self The police cleared the streets of anti-fascist protesters in Vienna in early June this year 18 July/August 2016 Unity

US Civil Rights Movement Birmingham & the March on Washington ‘They showed the world that they were inhuman brutes ‘

In the sixth part of our history of the US Civil Rights movement, Ken Olende looks at the movement’s peak year with the campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, and the March on Washington with Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech

any Civil Rights activists felt the movement was stuck Min a trough as 1963 began. Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) had been campaigning to desegregate Albany, Georgia, the previous year but the movement had stalled. The segregationists appeared to be gaining confidence. George Wallace had just been elected governor of the state of Alabama. At his inaugural speech in January 1963, he said, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever”. Many of the younger activists in the Civil Rights movement felt that King was becoming too close to the government of President John F Kennedy, which claimed to support the movement—but would not Police in Birmingham, Alabama, arresting school students during the Children’s Crusade take action to make “Jim Crow” segregation illegal. This was partly because Kennedy’s thoroughly segregated city in the United considered a respectful term at the time. Democratic Party relied on the votes of States”. The movement demanded desegregation Southern segregationists like Wallace, who Though 40% of its population was black of all public facilities and job opportunities was also a Democrat. Kennedy called for it was not possible to work in most jobs if for black people—what they called the the movement to register people to vote you were not white. There were no black “package deal”. and accept gradual change. faces serving in shops in the centre of town Birmingham’s police chief Eugene “Bull” Civil Rights leaders felt they needed to and no black bus drivers. Black secretaries Connor had collaborated with the Ku Klux up the stakes, so they planned “Project were not allowed to work for white Klan against the Freedom Rides (see last C”, where C stood for confrontation. employers. The national—or federal— issue). In early April he banned marches. They moved to campaign in government had insisted that parks King said, “If they let us march they Birmingham, which should be desegregated two years admitted their lie that the black man was King called “probably earlier and the local authorities content. If they shot us down they told the the most had responded by closing all world that they were inhuman brutes.” public parks. The mass of black people in the town King wrote that the Civil and their white supporters came out and Rights movement decided marched anyway. Connor ordered police to centre its campaign on “the dogs and fire hoses to be unleashed on business community, for we knew the peaceful protesters. During five weeks that the negro population had of the campaign the jails were filled with sufficient buying power so that its protesters, including King himself. withdrawal could News footage of this was beamed round make the difference the world, much to the embarrassment between profit and loss of the US government which saw itself as for many businesses”. the leader of the “free world”. As the arrests King always referred to black continued students and other supporters Policeman sets his dog on nonviolent protester people as “negroes”, which was came from outside to join the protests. Unity July/August 2016 19

Moderates said the Civil Rights The Freedom Riders’ Greyhound bus movement should not be so ablaze near Anniston, Alabama, after confrontational. King replied with his it was firebombed by a racist mob furious “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, complaining that the greatest stumbling block was “the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice. “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly I have never yet engaged in a direct action movement that was ‘well timed’, according to the timetable of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation.” Confrontation continued with the Children’s Crusade, when more than 1,000 school students walked out of their classes to join the protests. Police arrested them. As they were released most went straight back to join the march. King told the children’s parents, “Don’t hold them back if they want to go to jail. For they are doing a job for not only themselves, but for all of America and for all mankind.” Before long the police had 4,500 people in jail and no room for any more. On 8th May local business leaders agreed to most of the protesters’ demands. They tried to go slow on implementing the changes, but through June Jim Crow signs were removed from the street. These events inspired Civil Rights activists in towns and cities across the Martin Luther King delivered his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech to more than 250,000 people on 28th August 1963 South to demand the same “package deal”. The SCLC said it would move its focus to I am not unmindful that some of you Washington to put the same kind of pressure I Have a Dream have come here out of great trials and on the national government to outlaw tribulations. Some of you have come fresh segregation. But after the violence that had Excerpt from Martin Luther King’s from narrow jail cells. And some of you been witnessed by the world Kennedy speech to the March on Washington. have come from areas where your quest promised to back a Civil Rights bill. The for freedom left you battered by the March on Washington in August became a ‘There are those who are asking the storms of persecution and staggered by celebration of the success of the movement devotees of civil rights, “When will you the winds of police brutality… rather than another confrontation. be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied Go back to Mississippi, go back to But the racists did not give up quietly. as long as the negro is the victim of the Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go Two bombs were let off as the campaign unspeakable horrors of police brutality. back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, came to an end. Local people rioted in We can never be satisfied as long as go back to the slums and ghettos of our anger at this. our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of northern cities, knowing that somehow And in August, King led more than travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels this situation can and will be changed. 250,000 on a march through the nation’s of the highways and the hotels of the Let us not wallow in the valley of capital, where he made his “I Have a cities. despair, I say to you today, my friends. And Dream” speech talking about how far the We cannot be satisfied as long as the so even though we face the difficulties movement had come, and how far it still negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller of today and tomorrow, I still have a had to go. ghetto to a larger one. We can never dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the This was the peak of the movement, be satisfied as long as our children are American dream. but it went on demanding rights for stripped of their self-hood and robbed of I have a dream that one day this nation years to come. The need to keep fighting their dignity by signs stating: “For Whites will rise up and live out the true meaning racism was shown the following month Only.” of its creed: “We hold these truths to be when Ku Klux Klan members bombed We cannot be satisfied as long as a self-evident, that all men are created Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist negro in Mississippi cannot vote and equal.” Church, killing four young girls. a negro in New York believes he has I have a dream that one day on the red The next stages would become ever nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves more complicated as King’s difficulties not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied and the sons of former slave owners will with the government grew, and more until “justice rolls down like waters, and be able to sit down together at the table activists came to question his strategy of righteousness like a mighty stream.” of brotherhood.’ nonviolence. n 20 July/August 2016 Unity Understanding the Holocaust Visit Krakow and Auschwitz Educational trip organised by Unite Against Fascism

UAF is repeating its successful educational trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp and the city of Krakow in Poland from Thursday 3rd to Monday 7th November 2016. The trip aims to offer a greater understanding of the Holocaust. Students and teachers are particularly welcome. There will be guided tours and talks about the Holocaust, Jewish resistance and fighting fascism today. The cost is £220 waged or £160 student/unwaged. This includes tours, lectures and coach trips, but you have to book your own flight to Krakow. Some trade unions sponsor members to attend.

For more information, please phone the UAF office on 020 8971 7426 or email Jewish prisoners arrive at the Auschwitz death camp in 1944. Many were sent to [email protected] the gas chambers within hours Become a UAF solidarity member Help support Unite Against Fascism’s work with a regular donation of a few pounds a month and become a UAF solidarity member. The regular income from our solidarity members is vital to sustain our campaign against racism and fascism. Send the completed form to: UAF, PO Box 72710, London SW19 9GX Your name �� Occupation ...... Union ...... Your address �� Email ...... Phone �� Standing order mandate This will enable us to set up a standing order with your bank. It can be cancelled at any time simply by informing your bank. I wish to pay Unite Against Fascism by standing order [please tick amount] per month n £5 Solidarity n £10 Solidarity plus n £15 Solidarity super n £20 “They shall not pass” solidarity Monthly payments. First payment to be made on _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ [please fill in date] Bank name �� Bank address �� Account holder’s name �� Account number...... Sort code...... /...... /...... Please pay HSBC Bank plc, King’s Cross, 31 Euston Road, London NW1 2ST, account name Unite Against Fascism, sort code: 40-04-07; account number: 51336460, for the credit of Unite Against Fascism, the sum of the value indicated above Signed ...... Date ��. Unity July/August 2016 21 Social Work Action Network Solidarity with child refugees Social workers are determined to be a part of the solution

by Andy Brammer, Social Work Action Network

ocial workers from across Britain came together to Sdiscuss how practical solidarity can be organised for refugees on the 4th and 5th of June. More than 200 from Britain and across Europe began the weekend attending a conference in London organised in London by the Social Work Action Network. We heard from fledgling social work organisation Social Work First and Social Work Without Borders who have been working in the refugee camps in France and Greece. Both organisations have been sending social work volunteers to the camps to provide practical support and help to the refugees as well as building networks back in the UK of social workers who are able to link the work in the camps with the Michael Lavalette addresses social workers campaigns here to allow refugees entry into the UK. Professor Michael Lavalette addressed also hear directly from refugees about their started to bear fruit for future campaigns. the meeting and explained the direct link painful experiences as well as their hopes Connections are now much stronger between the demonisation of refugees, for the future. between social workers and social work the rise in Islamophobia and the attempt We met with other volunteers including organisations across Europe. to force social workers to comply with the teachers who are part of Trade Unionists Social Work Action Network, Social Work Prevent agenda in their duties. 4 Calais, volunteer medics, lawyers and First, Care 4 Calais and Social Work Without The consensus of the conference was others. We heard heart-breaking stories Borders are now regularly in discussion and that it is essential for social workers to from unaccompanied children and we are using our networks on the ground reclaim their traditional role of challenging dislocated families. to make the Dubs amendment (see page discrimination and oppression and be part We also witnessed the frustration 4) a reality. of the solution rather than working to the of living in a camp with no official We hope to organise a conference government’s racist agenda. status, therefore no official aid agencies. later in the year and bring together social On 5th June social workers across Volunteers come and go and volunteer workers, students, academics,refugees and Europe held an international day of organisations struggle to ensure basic campaigners with the support of our trade solidarity with refugees. This included survival as well as ensuring a degree of unions and professional organisations. local events as well as solidarity visits normality through the school, youth centre, Refugees need our support and solidarity to the nearest refugee camps. Up to mosque and churches. now but we also need to campaign to 50 social workers, social work students, The day we were there we were end the disgrace of unofficial, squalid and community workers and others from the involved in sports activities, discussion and dangerous refugee camps across Europe. UK visited the “Jungle” camp in Calais. They art groups as well as teaching sessions in No human should be illegal,unofficial or delivered practical aid to the volunteer aid the school. This has given all of us food for without status and the only way to ensure organisation Care 4 Calais. thought as well as evidence to challenge this to turn the slogan “Refugees welcome The visit gave social workers the the racist myths about refugees and the here” into reality. opportunity to experience first-hand the camps across Europe. living conditions in the camp. They could The day of solidarity has already www.socialworkfuture.org 22 July/August 2016 Unity LGBT+ London vigil Solidarity with victims of Orlando

by Sue Caldwell, LGBT+ Against She said “We’ve been through Islamophobia Islamophobia and we’ve had enough of it. “After 9/11 you stopped seeing Muslim he day after the Orlando families in the park—they were being massacre I was at the vigil in beaten up. People threw cans and bottles TSoho with thousands of others. at them. This is the key LGBT+ area in Central “It took six years before you really saw London and the main street was Muslim women and children at the park absolutely packed, especially outside again. We don’t want this to happen again.” the Admiral Duncan pub which was Politicians like to present Islam as being bombed by a neo-Nazi in 1999 resulting more homophobic than any other religion, in three deaths and many injuries. but this is not true. Islam, like Christianity People came to comfort each other and other religions, has a long and complex after hearing that in a clearly homophobic history open to a variety of interpretations attack Omar Mateen shot over 100 people, with regard to sexuality. There are also killing 49 of them, in an LGBT+ club in many LGBT+ Muslim people and groups, Orlando, Florida. According to his father although the mainstream media rarely give he had been “disgusted” at the sight of them a voice. We also know that in many two men kissing. The FBI and the press states in America it is Christian evangelical were quick to pick up on the fact that the churches that spread hate towards LGBT+ killer was Muslim. However, the response people. One Baptist pastor, Roger Jimenez, from the LGBT+ community has been said after Orlando that it was a ‘tragedy that to resist attempts to blame Islam for the more of them didn’t die’. massacre, and to call for unity against both Clearly there are complex issues homophobia and racism. surrounding Omar Mateen. There are People came to comfort each other rumours that he was gay himself for in the face of this horrific reminder of example. The clubbers were mostly the continued existence of threats and Latinx—people from Spanish and violence towards LGBT+ people. But they Portuguese American backgrounds. The also came to issue a plea for unity, for “love hurt of people from those communities not hate”. And some came determined will be compounded by the fact that a to actively challenge oppression in all its shooting in an LGBT+ bar in Mexico a forms. couple of weeks earlier has gone largely I took with me the banner of the unreported. group LGBT+ Against Islamophobia. This The vigil for the victims of Orlando in London’s Soho What is clear is that Mateen was born group was formed in February 2015 after outside the Admiral Duncan pub which was bombed and raised in a society where homophobic a meeting with original members of by a fascist terrorist in 1999 remarks are made by establishment figures Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners with impunity. Despite legal advances who had been depicted in the film Pride the bigots who hate us too. It is not a and changes in attitude particularly, that showed how LGBT+ people built coincidence that the Nazis of Hitler’s among young people, many states remain solidarity with the miners against Margaret Germany rounded up gay people and sent dangerous places. We must continue to Thatcher in 1984/5. We felt that just as the them to the gas chambers. Our symbol of fight for a society free from homo-, bi- and miners had been called the “enemy within” the pink triangle is used because it is what transphobia. by the Tories then, so Muslims were being the Nazis made gay prisoners wear in the One place that we will be taking this scapegoated and targeted today. concentration camps. message over the summer is at Pride People were really pleased to see And it’s not just in Britain that people parades around the country. Sadly the our banner on the vigil, and many are rejecting racism as a response to the militant spirit that launched Pride is people stopped to take photos and massacre. In America people held a vigil being pushed to the side by corporate read our leaflets. We put out a statement outside the Stonewall Inn in New York, organisations who see us simply as a condemning the shooting and calling on site of riots in 1969 that launched the market for promoting their business. people to resist any attempt to whip up Gay Liberation Front, and thus started the We will be taking our banner and Islamophobia. We did this because we modern LGBT+ movement. Among them marching with trade unionists to defy the know that anything that plays into the was Daisy Jesus who was on the first Pride homophobes after Orlando, but also to hands of racists and fascists strengthens march in Greenwich Village in 1970. unite against austerity and racism. n Unity July/August 2016 23

Rotherham 12 Defence campaign We say: ‘Self defence is no offence’

by Phil Turner

ELF-DEFENCE is no offence. That’s the slogan of the “Defend the Rotherham S12 Campaign” to support 12 Asian men facing jail following an anti-fascist protest in the wake of a racist murder. Police arrested the men after a protest against fascist group Britain First in the South Yorkshire town on 5th September last year. This was a few weeks after the racist murder of 81-year-old grandfather Mushin Ahmed, who was beaten to death as he walked to his mosque for early morning prayers. The attack on Mr Ahmed followed a total of 18 incursions of racist and fascist organisations trying to exploit the child sexual exploitation (CSE) scandal which hit the town. These demonstrations have coincided with a rise in racist incidents reported since The launch meeting for the campaign in February the Jay Report into the abuse was published last year. The report identified 1,400 victims of CSE. to mobilise when many—understandably so for the The Rotherham 12 Many people in the town had had enough. It Asian community—did not want to directly oppose was a breakthrough that 400 anti-fascists joined this the racists. But it made a stand and built respect On Saturday 5th September 2015 demonstration. A key element was the significant and support. Support from British Muslim Youth, a the fascist group Britain First called a number of Asian people who supported the Rotherham-based organisation set up at the height of protest in Rotherham. It was the 13th UAF protest, for the first time since the child sex the Islamophobia over child CSE, has been important. fascist protest in a little over a year. exploitation scandal broke. The slogan “Justice for the 1,400—don’t let But police surrounded the anti-racists and the racists divide us” has been the message from The far-right is attempting to build marched them away, past a pub, which was well Rotherham UAF since the horrific scandal shocked by blaming all Asians for the child known as a haunt of racists. The 12 say they had to and angered us all. A campaign based on that slogan sexual exploitation scandal in the defend themselves from the racists, who hurled abuse, was launched by trade unions in Rotherham which town. but they have been charged with violent disorder. called for a “People’s Inquiry” into the scandal. Their trial is due to start in early October. Anti-racists had to argue against the focus being A counter-protest was held by Around 200 people attended the launch of the on Asian men. CSE is a much bigger problem. The anti-racists. Some Asian men on the Rotherham 12 defence campaign. Lawyers Imran latest report from Rotherham Safeguarding, produced protest were kettled by the police. Khan and Matt Foot will represent the defendants by Public Health Rotherham, reveals the majority of They were only allowed to leave by a along with Michael Mansfield QC. offenders in Rotherham are white. route that took them past a pub filled At the meeting people compared the situation to Black and white unity is essential both to demand with far-right supporters. the arrests after the Bradford riots of 2001. Following justice for the victims and to oppose the racist UKIP a series of violent fascist incursions into the towns of and fascist organisations that cynically exploit the The 12 demonstrators say they came Oldham, Leeds and Burnley, the National Front (NF) issue to whip up anti-Muslim racism and division. under attack and had to defend planned a march through Bradford. Many young The same police force involved in the Rotherham themselves. Asian men came out to defend their area. The police scandal oversaw the 1989 Hillsborough football contained anti-fascist protesters. Anger led to a riot. disaster and the Orgreave picket during the 1984-85 Defend the Rotherham In the aftermath it was blamed on mindless violence miners’ strike. 12 Campaign and the role of the fascists was largely ignored. Some The economic devastation of Rotherham, cuts in 200 jail sentences were handed out to local Asians children’s services, social workers’ heavy workloads The campaign has called a protest totalling 604 years. and appalling attitudes of those in power towards outside the court when the case Last September’s fantastic show of unity against girls from poor backgrounds are some of the real opens in October. Check links below Britain First showed how things are changing in the causes. Young women’s voices were not allowed to be for details. fight against racism as the refugee crisis intensifies. The heard. Rotherham Unite Against Fascism (UAF) slogan “Enough UAF has built up a united front including many Email: [email protected] is Enough—Muslim Lives Matter” followed the shocking newly radicalised young people, trade unionists, Labour Phone: 07592 968 424 murder of retired engineering worker Mr Ahmed. Party members and community activists. Fighting Facebook: Support the Rotherham 12 UAF had to take on the arguments about the need racism and austerity has to go hand in hand. n Twitter: @rotherham12 £10 waged / £5 concessions (students/OAP/ low waged/unemployed) To register email [email protected] or go to standuptoracism.org.uk or phone 020 8971 7426 or write to Stand Up To Racism, c/o UAF, PO Box 72710, London SW19 9GX Please make cheques payable to ‘Stand Up to Racism’