Today, the pathetic far-right fantasists of the Pie and Mash Squad (or “South Coast Resistance” as they’d rather be known these days) held their inaugural demo of the year in Portsmouth. Given that it’s their home turf (most of them live in or around Pompey), they were probably expecting quite a large turnout. That’s not exactly what happened…
It sounds like a lot of people just going about their business joined in telling the EDL where to go, as well as all the people who came out specially.
You can read more from the local paper.
from Portsmouth Anti-Fascists:
We are pleased to say that our first ever benefit gig was a total success, we probably had between 70-100 people come out (although admittedly this was due to the awesome line up!). First up we need to thank all the acts, both local and those that traveled and only asked for petrol money, they all played fantastic sets! We also should thank everyone who came out, and everyone who made it possible, from the people who stood at the door all night, to those that took the money, those who helped get all the equipment, the sound man who gave us a knocked down rate, and the poor bar staff who served with ear plugs in! Also we are sorry to report to all the people that were asking, but we have now sold out of all our t-shirts.
Although it was at the back of our mind that the organised local fascists might try something on, we didn’t in all seriousness expect them to be that stupid, but then you should never underestimate the stupidity of a fascist mind! They were clearly riding high after it took 12 of them to bully 4 middle aged Hope Not Hate campaigners in Eastleigh a few weeks back (Hope not Hate are a very fluffy antifascist group supported by celebrities and other notable types). The fascists made a video of that shameful action, it’s pathetic, and can be viewed here: crap video.
Saturday saw the much anticipated EDL march in Portsmouth. Organiser Mickey Bayliss was so desperate for travelling support he ended up pissing off the EDL leadership by inviting every nut job far right group going. With all this travelling support you wouldn’t blame them for expecting 400-500 to turn up. In the end the actual numbers were around 150. The good news is that from looking at the photos and doing the maths, they only managed to get about 50-60 locals out. Piss poor we’re sure you’ll agree!
The counter demo also got about 150 people, but was made up of about 90% local people and there was definitely more of an appetite to confront the scum than on previous occasions, with the crowd getting more vocal as we got close to the demo site.
The local EDL are blaming everyone but themselves for a shit day, most of it aimed at the local paper who reported what they saw.
All in all it seemed like a positive day for anti-fascists in Portsmouth – confidence seems to have grown, and street level agitation before the day had reached pretty unprecedented levels for our city as locals, pissed off with the prospect of an organised fascist march, voiced their anger with stickers and spray cans.
EDL/SDL also met resistance to their demonstrations in Edinburgh and Hull on Saturday.
In Edinburgh 350 anti-fascists saw off about 130 SDL marchers in what must be the least popular street entertainment of this year’s Edinburgh festival. A significant number of SDL were from such well-known Scottish locations as Sunderland and Blackburn.
In Hull the EDL appear to have got somewhere between 150-300 people on their march and were their usual charming selves, hospitalising a man for holding a banner promoting multiculturalism, and potentially being banned from holding any future protests in East Yorkshire.
Portsmouth EDL has announced its intention to march in the city on Saturday 17th August. The last time the EDL staged an official march and rally in Portsmouth they disgraced themselves. Now Portsmouth once again braces itself for a tide of human filth to spill onto the streets. It’s time for people to unite, to get out of their houses and tell these racist clowns to go home. Times have been hard and communities are suffering enough, we don’t need dividing along the lines of religion as well! We say all out on the 17th – fill the streets, let’s send these morons who hide behind the flag back to the sewers they crawled out from!
Meet 12 noon, Commercial Road Fountain. Details may change – check Portsmouth Anti-Fascists’ website before you travel.
Called by Portsmouth Anti-Fascists and supported by the Anti-Fascist Network
Anti-Fascist Network 