Fighting Fascism: the next steps for UAF

The UAF conference on February 13 should be issuing a clarion call for all those in the labour movement to be represented at all levels in the organization.

Mass mobilizations against fascism and racism will not just appear as a result of headline announcements in the Left press. Participation of all anti-fascist activists at every level in the work of the UAF is the only way forward. The debates on race and class, implementing of No Platform, women and anti-fascism, Black self defence and self organisation, the international struggles against fascism, culture and racism, trade unions and their role and many other subjects should be the basis of workshops around which activists can share experiences and discuss alternative strategies.

The role of autonomous movements, the relationship with the pluralistic Left, the building of local on- going resistance within communities and the challenges presented by the forthcoming General Election are issues that do not go away because others do not want to discuss them. However these discussions are key to building the anti-fascist movement.

Activists involved in the Right To Work, Campaign against Climate Change, Stop the War and many others, should be directly represented on the UAF committees at local, regional and national level to strengthen the links.

Instead of just reacting to EDL initiatives, the UAF should be setting the agenda and in a stronger manner be able to reverse the BNP gains. By deepening the roots of the anti fascist movement within the labour movement and its allies in the wider communities we can counter more effectively the evil that is raising its head. Support the resolution being proposed for the UAF conference, which is now supported by Brent Trades Council, Cambridge N.U.T. Association and the Jewish Socialist Group.

Oppose the Nazis in Dagenham Reject racist immigration controls

Margaret Hodge has called for migrants to be denied benefits for a year to prevent abuse. In the meantime the innocent victims of the international crises of Capitalism and their families are being forced to live in poverty to prove their entitlement. This is an utter disgrace and by playing the racist card, gives credence to the scapegoating methods of the BNP.
The movement must totally reject the use of racism in fighting fascism. Whilst New Labour is busy cutting public services, unemployment rising and the recession deepening, the bankers earn even higher bonuses. Migrant workers, asylum seekers and trade unionists must not allow ourselves to be divided.

This is the lead article in the leaflet produced by SR activists in Unite Against Fascism for its national conference on February 13. It can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/SRonUAF