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Tyne & Wear Anti-Fascist Association 2009 |
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Written by Martin
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 |
TYNE & WEAR ANTI-FASCIST ASSOCIATION
One of the key negative features in the past year has been the election of Nick Griffin, the party leader, and Andrew Brons as MEPs for the BNP in the European elections. While this is undoubtedly partially due to a low turn out at the elections, there is no room for complacency. The BNP were able to get their supporters out to vote, they now have a platform like never before - which included a spot for Griffin on the BBC’s Question Time - and access to financial resources via salaries and expenses from the European Parliament. Some Labour MPs have given support to anti-fascist campaigning, but tragically, the Labour party has generally been as lax as the other mainstream parties in not taking the fascist threat seriously.
Searchlight magazine’s “Hope Not Hate” campaign, which was strongly supported by TWAFA in the region, has been a great source of information and inspiration against the fascists nationally. It has become evident however, that it is not enough to hold stalls and put leaflets through doors, vital though that is. Anti-fascists have to become more active in the many communities which have become disenfranchised and alienated through neglect and lack of investment. It is a tribute to the people of the North East and to the work of TWAFA and the “Hope Not Hate” campaign that the many neglected communities in the region have not fallen for the lies and duplicity of the BNP and other fascist apologists. This is despite the efforts of the Walker brothers from Spennymoor, two former teachers whom the education authorities recognised as being unfit to teach young people and who now have plenty of time to spend spreading fascist propaganda, most recently as employees of the two fascist MEPs. TWAFA has campaigned actively against the activities of the Walkers and other BNP organisers in the region, with considerable assistance from anti-fascist colleagues from County Durham and the Tees Valley.
After a period without a worker, TWAFA again has a full time employee, who is proving to be as valuable an asset to the organisation as previous workers. While all credit must be given to the executive committee and some individuals in particular for maintaining TWAFA’s work and the organisation’s presence, it really does make a huge difference having a dedicated employee to do this vital work.
TWAFA DELEGATE
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 February 2010 )
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TWAFA 2009 
