September is shaping up to be a VERY busy month for Antifascists. There are going to be three (!) AFN actions, alongside several other non-AFN Antifascist demonstrations. The refugee crisis has pushed the far-right into a frenzy of activity and it is our social duty to combat them.
Today saw anti-fascists in Colchester getting an early start as they met at the war memorial to oppose the EDL at 10am. Approximately 50 anti-fascists turned out on a weekday morning, which is not bad going and significantly outnumbered the EDL for the 3rd year in a row.
The EDL were supposedly commemorating the anniversary of the death of Lee Rigby by laying a wreath at the war memorial and yet again still couldn’t stop themselves pulling sieg heil Nazi salutes while standing on a war memorial. Classy!
From Essex Anti-Fascists:
10 am
Colchester war memorial, Cowdray Crescent CO1 2PG
The English Defence League are returning to Colchester, once again using Lee Rigby’s tragic death to fuel their racist campaign, despite his family specifically asking for his death not to be exploited by such groups. This is not the first time the EDL have set upon Colchester, in previous years the fascists have ‘showed their respect’ by Sieg-Heiling at the war memorial.
Several branches of the EDL are planning events ‘in memorial’ of Lee Rigby, despite his family specifically asking for his death not to be exploited by such groups.
Essex Antifascists are organising against Colchester EDL’s march to the war memorial. Last year a small group of fascists stood awkwardly at the memorial whilst heckled by antifascists pointing out how disrespectful it is to use someone’s name for things they didn’t agree with.
Far right groups should not be tolerated demonstrating in any place, no matter what their excuse. Come to Colchester on the 22nd to make it clear! More details coming up.
Britain First upset Lee Rigby’s family by using the slogan ‘remember Lee Rigby‘ on their ballot paper entry in Wales. The Electoral Commission admitted it should not have allowed the far right party this slogan.
In case you didn’t already know via our twitter feed or Facebook, the planned EDL demo in Colchester for which Essex Anti-Fascists had been mobilising along with other groups has been called off by the EDL. This is the second time they have pulled out of a planned demo in the town.
After anti-fascists opposed their exploitative demo on the anniversary of Lee Rigby’s death, the fascists have been threatening furious vengeance on the people of Colchester who opposed them.
Their original publicity stated “it’s time to let the dogs loose” against “the fascists of the left”
The last time the EDL had an event in Colchester was on the anniversary of the murder of Lee Rigby. They marched up to the war memorial where they found anti fascists waiting. With branded EDL flags and clothing, the far right group laid a wreath on the war memorial, ‘for’ Lee Rigby.
Lee Rigby’s family and colleagues have specifically stated they do not want groups like the EDL to use his murder to further their political aims. They say Lee Rigby would not have wanted his name to be used as an excuse to attack others. The EDL have consistently ignored this and continue to use the name and pictures of Lee Rigby as some kind of justification for their racism and prejudice.
Today Essex EDL were set to do a wreath laying ‘commemoration’ of Lee Rigby’s death at the Colchester war memorial, hoping to use memories of the killing to boost their own failing movement. Essex Anti-Fascists organised a crowd of 100 locals to oppose the 25-30 EDL who made it, approximately 3 of whom were from Colchester, the rest shipped in from around the region.
Lee Rigby’s mother has made it clear what she thinks about the far-right utilising her son’s death for their political gain, but do they listen? Do they fuck. When it comes down to a choice between being respectful and using something as a stick to beat Muslims with, hating Muslims wins out every time.
Meet 11am, Colchester war memorial
Aim to arrive on time and try to travel in groups
IMPORTANT: If you are traveling from outside of Colchester, please email essexantifa@hush.com
This year the EDL once again plan to descend on Colchester town centre bringing scenes reminiscent of last May’s march which saw Nazi salutes on the war memorial and brutality from both police and the far-right. We call once again on locals, students and anti-fascists from far and wide to join us in Colchester on the 22nd of May to say no to the EDL.
Whether it be a march, gathering or meeting – fascists must be countered at every opportunity!
Essex Anti-Fascists: Facebook / Blog
UPDATE: for the meeting point email essexantifa@hush.com.
IMPORTANT: If you are traveling from Colchester or London, please email essexantifa@hush.com
On the 15th June, the English Defence League plan to hold a meeting in Southend, The Britannia Pub, SS1 2ER at 1pm. We are not willing to let this happen.
Whether it be a march, gathering or meeting – fascists must be countered at every opportunity. This is why locals are calling on anti-fascists from Essex, London and beyond to join them on the 15th June, in Southend, to say no to the EDL.
essexantifa@hush.com
And this weekend for those in the North:
EDL/Casuals(ha ha)/National Front/Infidels – yea, all the usual ‘dual carding’ scumbags, are having a demo in Ashton Under Lyne, in the Greater Manchester Area on Saturday. The demo is about some Asian lads scrapping with some white lads at a bus stop. We don’t know what started the fight, but the fascists are claiming this is a case of ‘anti-white’ racism….we couldn’t make this shit up if we tried!! The EDL meet up point is Ashton train station at 12.00. UAF are doing something at the town hall around the same time.
All the Best to those travelling tomorrow, and to those organising in their localities!
Just for fun here’s a picture from the casuals united blog – eeee, I don’t know….I’d expect a good kicking if I stood at a bus stop dressed like that!
Hot Damn! Check out those cool cats daddio!!
Anti-Fascist Network 