Anti Racism Network

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Sunday August 08, 2004 18:00

by Davy Carlin

carlindavid at hotmail dot com

Update for Indymedia

The last two weeks has been an intense period for ARN activists.

The last two weeks has seen the ARN both at the forefront of the media and in activity. The recent situation of overt racial attacks as stated, has seen the ARN taking up the issues of the recent attacks, paramilitaries, the police, and the statutory bodies, with many having to wheel out their big guns to counter our points and issues raised.

The first issue was of the again attacks in the loyalist Village area of Donegal Road. The ARN again working with local trade unionists, community activists and the minority ethnic community within the area again sought to bring an end to the attacks. The ARN Chairperson in a very public event spoke from within the heart of the Village area as the Guest speaker. This against the attacks and in support of a festival to be launched again against racial attacks, this festival organised by the local community. While the ARN welcomed the event they stated that representatives, while their condemnation of such attacks was welcomed, they needed also to stand shoulder to shoulder with the minority ethnic community within the area.

The meeting held in the Greater Village Re generation Trust’s offices seen media attending from all over the country and further afield, such was the interest of the make up of the platform.

Yet while launching the festival and the seeking of public unity against the attacks the ARN sought as before a visual event. With the support of some community groups and trade unionists from within the area, and many more organisations from around the immediate area. We then sought to hold an event as before against the attacks as so both to give the community the opportunity not only to express their anger at the attacks but also to show solidarity for the victims of them.

With that we then had the support of our extensive network which includes the support of trade union councils and leading trade union branches, with then the support of major trades unions, and as before the support from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions forthcoming for our initiative. This was combined with the support of many other organisations and individuals.

With that support, the day before our joint press conference we called of the vigil, and I will go into the reasoning in the months ahead in Part two of the ARN - Entitled ' The ARN, a Movement', I will though say for now, that for the moment the attacks have all but ceased in that specific area but an extensive trade union based, and to an extent, a local community based network is now there for a collective response.

Also at this time we seen the 'Nigger' word used by an SDLP councillor {in a certain context} whom quite quickly made a full apology and retraction, again the ARN had called for such in a front page statement in the Belfast Telegraph.

Apart from speaking on the platform within the Village we also opened up the anti racism meeting on the Falls road attended by over 200 persons. We also launched a number of other well attended and well covered initiatives over the last two weeks, from street protest, to stalls, poster campaigns and speak outs etc.

We have also held our first ever Love Music Hate Racism {LMHR} - Anti Racism Network {ARN] joint gig in South Belfast's Empire Music Hall.

It was a case of standing room only to the back door. Many attended from the Network, representatives from minority ethnic organisations such as the African cultural and Chinese Welfare association. Human rights activists and human rights organisations from Amnesty International to the Equality commission, attended. As did rank and file trade union representatives from NIPSA to Unison, various grassroots community, women's and gay right campaigners also attended. Grassroots environmental, anti war, anti globalisation, community, solidarity, and campaign activists, where also joined by many people who came along to hear the bands, and to lend solidarity to the cause. So a broad collection of organisations and individuals lending support, with many people joining up to the network. A good night and thanks for all who came to lend support for the fundraiser.

So the last few weeks have been busy and it goes on, yesterday's front page of the South Belfast News for example had the ARN and a leading UUP man going head to head. Yet despite the huge local and indeed at times International media attention the ARN brings by its firm stands, the important issue for the ARN is of creating a community and trade union response against such racism. The broad front we initially created has helped create a network now that seeks to be a grassroots network that provides a practical, visual and collective stand, not only on large scale mobilisations but on a local level as we have done in both cases.

We have brought together, the minority ethnic organisations, human rights groups' grassroots environmental, anti war, anti globalisation, community, solidarity, women’s, community, student, gay and lesbian rights and campaign activists etc along side trade unionists, trades union councils, trade unions, and the trade union movement as a whole, to stand both against such attacks, those that give them succour, and those that feed of them.

Of course as I have stated before there are other organisations fighting against racism and fascism around the country, but I believe creating a united front of the above is the way in the long term to ensure victory against fascism. I have also stated that if such organisations seek to take to the streets in large scale then they need to be met on the streets in far larger scale. Yet when they are not visual on the streets, or they come in the night, then various strategies are needed to counter those certain situations to end the attacks thus given a breathing space to the minority ethnic communities. This while at the same time continuing to build up a substantial united network that can crush them if the seek to become visual.

Therefore those other organisations that are dealing with those racists and fascists that are openly organising outside of the areas that the ARN have established, that is to be welcomed, as our fight is the same. The difference I hold I have stated is tactical in that I do not believe a secret, covert, or 'private' campaign as some call it, is the way forward in the long term. Neither is an elitist attitude of we will go in an sort it out for you situation, {then go home for others to deal with the local repercussions, as we have seen across the water in the past, or of the victims asking or wondering as to why their neighbours will not support them, or of a community feeling dis empowered etc}.

I believe such a situation needs to be dealt with and come from within, and although given our situation in the North it can be difficult, it nevertheless needs to be and can be done. That is why as stated recently that the ARN with our support and connections within our ever expanding network are to host gigs and meetings in the weeks ahead to establish further local networks that can seek to mobilise a local 'community' from within and below, with support, if needs be, from the wider network

It sends a more powerful message if a 'community', with its trade unions etc is prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with their neighbours who may have been victims of attacks. The message sent will be one to the victims of their neighbours standing in solidarity with them and of a community empowered and standing collectively against attacks.

This is what the ARN has sought, and has done to date in some areas, but this needs to be reflected across society, as we continually seek to do.

Finally it is important that all anti racism and anti fascism activists and organisations see that of racism and fascism as the problem and not the tactical difference of each differing campaign. I am glad to say given the history of many similar campaigns or parities seeing each other as a greater 'threat' than the actual problem, that I have only encountered one left organisation whose hatred of oneself was so open and obvious that on several different occasions I had to be informed of such {in very recent times} as persons could not believe what they had heard or seen. {This when we where meant to be fighting on the same issue}

As stated this will make up a large part to my 'practical' experience of Democratic Centralism in an article in the time ahead, and whom {that organisation } are now irrelevant to me and to a large extent to the {Belfast SWP} and to those campaigns we are involved in, as genuine non party aligned activists had seen and had wanted nothing of it, or them. I will record such though as so persons can look back and attempt to learn lessons, if they wish.

I will say though I am looking forward to the debate on tactics on the 14th August in Derry. I will be speaking for the ARN and others include AFA, Residents against Racism and Fascist Out. I welcome the opportunity to hear exactly what such organisations are about rather that what others say they about .Similarly I hope they listen to what we are about as opposed as to what others {I know} have and do say about the ARN.

Until then D.

save preference

Comments (11 of 11)

Lets be honest and label people what they really are, loyalist rasists

by G Murphy

Tue Aug 17, 2004 13:10

These people are being victimised by neo nazi loyalists and the quicker they are exposed, the quicker people will see the link between the leaders of the UDA/UFF and neo nazi combat 18. These people are the ones brining down the comunity. They are scum and we shouldn't shy away from exposing them

Final one

Tue Aug 17, 2004 13:02

Forgot to mention {in relation to activity} of the anti fascist gigs we have held, and will hold around the North.

Below is an e-mail I sent out today to the entire network. We have did many interviews as stated below, but if persons get todays Irish News or more especially todays Newsletter, it has a picture on the front page of the Village - Donegall road community festival, with its headlines inside of 'Racism linked to wider social issues {Claim}.

In which I rise the whole issue of attacks and that of the lack of housing, social and economic deprivation, poverty etc within working class areas.

The e-mail to the ARN network, below {Signing off}

Dear friends, we have again seen overt racist attacks on the minority ethnic communities over the week-end period. This time in several separate towns and cities. This as we can all agree is very worrying and frightening, more especially for the victims of the attacks. The ARN has in the last 24 hours been contacted by all the main media, BBC, UTV, Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, Ulster Newsletter, radio etc for our response to this.

While we have condemned such attacks, and it is important to do so, we, as the ARN, need to take a pro active stand against such. We have raised the fact that the issues of poverty, housing and socio economic deprivation in many cases also plays a huge role in this, and I believe we need also, with the local communites and trade unionists, to campaign around these issues. Secondly, local communities, trade unionists, community organisations and representatives need to stand shoulder to shoulder with victims of such attacks.

This for two reasons, firstly to empower a community to take a collective and visual stand against the attacks, while at the same time showing and standing in support and solidarity with the victims of them. This means of course creating support networks.

As stated before the ARN will be seeking to expand the network around Northern Ireland. This is important if we want a local community and trade union based pro active network. In relation to recent events the ARN will be in contact with our networks that are based in the recent areas of concern. On that note a meeting has been arranged by the South Belfast Network {as below} and I would urge all local groups, organisations and individuals to attend and to contact those who would be interested to attend. I have been asked as chair of the Network also to attend which I will do.

As Barbara Muldoon finished, I finish with the same quote,,

'FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH ALL THAT IS NECESSARY IS FOR GOOD PEOPLE TO DO NOTHING'

URGENT

SOUTH BELFAST ANTI RACISM NETWORK

PLANNING MEETING

WEDNESDAY 18th AUGUST - 7.30pm at ONE WORLD CENTRE IN LOWER CRESCENT

As you will all be aware there have been a number of racist attacks in Northern Ireland over the last two days. Again the South of the city has experienced yet another attack to hit the headlines. I have also heard that there was another very serious beating on a young man in Bradbury Place that wasn't reported. The Hossain family who were petrol bombed a few weeks ago and forced to move out have had their house attacked again even though they aren't living there any longer. Racists have smashed the door and stolen their belongings. They are living in a hostel and so had to leave most of their stuff behind. Also, people are moving out of the area in fear.

Neither the politicians, nor the police nor any of the institutions in Northern Ireland have put forward any ideas how the attacks can be stopped.

What we need is for anti racist activists in the area to meet and plan a serious strategy and campaign to defend the minority ethnic community living here against the disgusting attacks.

Please attend this very important meeting and pass this invite to anyone you know in the area to attend.

Hope to see you there.

Barbara Muldoon

"For evil to triumph all that is necessary is for good people to do nothing"

Sorry, Briefly

by D

Mon Aug 16, 2004 12:43

Sorry just glimpsed over your original piece I replied to, {waiting on a phone call - a few moments to spare},

You Quote,

'Is it any wonder that the worst racist black spot is the most prosperous economically affluent areas such as south Belfast? An area where snooty ultra competitive capitalist locals are not very nice to each other never mind outsiders'.

Although you make some relevant points you though don't seem to have a knowledge of what is going on, as the overwhelming majority of the attacks in South Belfast happen in {more especially} and around a 'severe socially and economically deprived working class estate' .

If you understood that then you would understand both where it came from {its root causes- yet with some localised issues} and how therefore to attempt to tackle it.

Yet just like the ARN , with your comments, I presume you are either listening to one sided views or attempting to give an analysis on something you know little factual information about. Or maybe it is a case of both.

Signing of but may come back in the future if time permits

Must dash

Mon Aug 16, 2004 10:11

Order of St Martain this is a bit rushed but hope you get the Gist

Sorry the ARN ain't state backed or funded,

'at ground level they are useless',

The closing of the Belfast BNP branch, the ceasing of organised overt racial attacks in specific areas thus providing breathing space for ethnic minority communities, the mass mobilisation, the local mobilsations and empowerment of some working class communities against atttacks, moving the support of the trade union movement into action as well as trade union councils and trade unions {workers organisations}, the censoring and full withdrawal of racist statements from the UUP to the SDLP, the standing firm and putting our 'head' above the water to stand visual and vocally against paramilitary attacks.

Street protests and agitation, paint outs, poster and leaflet campaigns, stalls, the sending out off the police {state} and statutory bodies big guns to attempt counter our arguments. The police, paramilitaries, state bodies being put on the back foot, the ceasing of organised racist attacks for specfic periods . The concentration and public focus directed at the socio and economic conditions - deprivation of working class communites, lack of housing, facitities and actively seeking to campaign on these issues.

The raising of Fortress Euorpe, active support and shelter for those put out of there homes, protests at detaining centres at the Belfast International airport etc etc.

And putting aside the threats, the putting of our details on websites etc {the usual shite you come to expect} I am unsure as to what you have done in relation to the attacks apart from you initial attack at the ARN,. Can you fill me in, as so we can have a more detailed debate on tactics. I presume you are not an armchair activists.

As for tactics well I raised it at the meeting I had done in Derry with other anti racism and anti Fascist organisations you may have been at. Quite simply rather than getting soley the left into the room and as through my own experience getting no where fast as the problem is sometimes {from some} the other 'differing' small left wing group rather than the issue at hand

'Before we put up a poster we want to sort out what your organisation said about Korea 40 or so years ago' that usual shit.

Instead those who initaited the ARN choose a broad patform against the initial attacks, rather than to be dragged into that situation again {Lessons as stated, of the Anti War Broad front we had initiated}.

So by bringing such about, inculding the trade union movement we have had sucesses.We do not believe in the holy Grail of tactics or the all embracing formula of tactics. Therefore when fascists are not visible, when they come in the night, when a community is smothered by paramiitaries, then differing tactics are needed.

Therefore by building that united front, we now have not only had those sucesses, but with it created an ever expanding network. Also post rally {JAN} by creating that network we have now moved the ARN to becoming a grassroots working class community and trade union based network. Which has and will work differing strategies when fascists are not visible but will as stated moblise to confront them when they are. As one speaker from the Fascist Out campaign said at the meeting in Derry ,' there is little difference in our final destination}' that is, to confont them when they are visble.

The difference though initially, is rather than attempting to getting solely the left into a room {and all that goes with that} we choose to create a united front {a developing movement - which meant some of our actions and our press statements had to reflect the initial majority of participants - with socialists and the left in the minority} .

Now with that profile and now with the best of activists at the forefront during the course of activity, we have now agreed to develop that movement into a grassroots, community and trade union empowering, moblising force, that will use differerent tactics when fascists are not visble but will physical confront them in far larger scale when they are. Therefore our actions and our words can 'now' reflect, that now majority of activists won to that now understanding.

That is not to say that I 'personally' have problems with various other tactics that others use at times.

Must go as there have again been more attacks, I wonder if you are going to attempt to do something about them or are you just going to leave it to that bad ARN organisation?

locals not very nice to each other nevermind outsiders

by Order of St Martin

Sun Aug 15, 2004 18:45

The ARN are the respectable state backed wishy washy capitalist view of anti racism. Many of whom are middle class professional do gooders, who pedal the simple basic leave the foreigners/those who look foreign alone ethos. At ground level they are useless, don't expect them to lift a finger physically against fascists, not unless they have a crowd behind them.

You can't change peoples opinions from the top down, by getting meely mouthed community/church leaders to appeal to their parishioners better sides, after there has been a racial attack.

Ordinary working class people hate those who look like foreign/black/coloured/yellow, because they are conditioned to do so, by the ultra competitive capitalist society we live in.

Within working class areas there is a constant fight for jobs, housing etc, within these communities people are bitchily competing with their own neighbours/families for housing executive propeties, jobs, status etc.In these situations the BNP/nazis will step in and stir it up, pointing out that, blacks/refugees/foreigners get houses/jobs before those in the local community. When in actual fact, those blacks/refugees/foreigners are living in private rental properties, so haven't jumped the housing queue.

Most people know this but they still choose to hate those who look foreign because it suits them to have an easy and visible scapegoat to hate and blame all their troubles on.

The BNP steps in turns poor people against each other, working class taigs against working class prods, poor whites against poor foreigners, in order to distract working class people from fighting their real enemy, the rich.

If you study fascisms, or ever infiltrated fascist organisations they are based on a distinct social hierarchy, and rigidly reinforces our societal hierarchy, within the fascist hierarchy/structure, those rich/well bred take the top positions within the organisation, ordering their foot soldiers to do the menial dirty work. Within the fascist organisation everyone knows their place, those who do the dirty menial work, get reasurrence and pleasure from not thinking for themselves and blindly serving their social betters. Just like when a simple nazi goon smashes a chinese's window they think, yes i'm a big man, i may someday be rich and accepted into polite society, and i'm breaking a chineses window on behalf of my snobby rich capitalist bastard peers whom i aspire to be like.

You have racists who are inspired by the likes of the Sun, daily express etc, racist articles on britain and ireland being swamped by waves of refugees and immigrants.

Is it any wonder that the worst racist blackspot is the most prosperous economically affluent areas such as south belfast. An area where snooty ultra competitive capitalist locals are not very nice to each other nevermind outsiders.

Cheers

Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:04

Sean thanks for the reply. See ya soon

It did not take long though for the political inevitabity in the guise of John to seep in,

Voting Labour ?, Funding? AFA? SWP front, Sectarian, I think on some of the points John has confused himself never mind others.

If you want to make points in a rational way and engage in fraternal debate on tactics, then I will reply. I will not reply to wide eyed rants and dribble. Yet if you temper your anger, as you make some valid points, I will attempt to answer them, although I feel many of your points are directed towards the British rather than the Belfast SWP, as I have seen such raised before albeit in a more reasoned way. D .

Activist

by John - Against Fascism

Mon Aug 09, 2004 21:42

From what i know from personal experience although i am not involved personally in FOC, they are quite visible on the ground in terms of fly-posting, leafleting, protests etc so it is wrong to assume that they are involved in a private elitist battle which is pure sectarian nonsense. Maybe they don't have the media image which the ARN which shows alot about yous as you wouldn,t be getting the coverage if the struggle involved fighting racism as well its root causes the capitalism and the state. Soon yous will be asking the state for funding if not already. Militant direct action approach through a variety of means is the only way to challenge Nazi scum not by asking for laws which misses the point, nor by voting labour instead of the BNP etc who are an anti-working class party and serve the interests of the rich. What would the ARN do when the Nazis are organising a demonstration- call the police and lobby for it to be banned. History shows that throughout Europe, the militant approach is the only- disrupt their meetings, fight them in the streets etc. The ARN will just be like alll those past SWP failed iniatives such as Anti-fascist Action, SEA, Globalise Resistance(monopolise resistance) and now RESPECT which are more about paper selling, personality politics, opportunism or reclaim the labour party- wise up! By the way our class our sick of your patronising missionaries (not necessarily yourself)- out to save the working class. We are sick of your rugged elitism and vanguard of the working class and when it comes to genuine class war- just ask the miners- selling the Socialist worker was more important than on the ground assisting with the struggle and self-defence against police brutality. The trots ran a fucking mile!

when will you ever.......??

by ht

Mon Aug 09, 2004 21:17

The "racism" you oppose is in many cases the opposition of the People to the enforced multiculturalism which you seem bent on imposing on them willy-nilly.The People are sick of being treated as radical by extremist know-it-all radicals. Why can't you accept that maybe people who disagree with you might have a valid point? Even if they turn out to be ordinary folk without a degree in Arts or some "soft" social 'science'! Facism is a strawman to justify your hardline attitutes!!

Anti-Fascist

by Sean - Fascists Out Campaign

Mon Aug 09, 2004 20:56

I would just like to reiterate that i am speaking in a personal capacity and therefore my views do not reflect everyone in the campaign. We are only in the initail early stages of its formation so therefore as time goes past changes will take place such as profile, visibilty etc and we will soon produce an agreed general statement about us. Thanks for the correction as i soon realised the mistake later. At least we agree on some things and from personal experience at least the fascists our not in a position yet to mobilise visibly out in the open and hopefully it remains that way and and are eventually removed, along with the system that in many ways colloborates with them by whiping up racism.

Good to see you recently

Mon Aug 09, 2004 19:53

Hi Sean, I can agree with some of the points you raise.

Sean we have to of course get to the root causes that give such fascism raise, those root causes in part I explain in attached link.

I am glad that you state that you do not want to have a 'private campaign', although a spokesperson for Fascist Out in a local newspaper recently had stated different.

Sean can you though confirm if the position of Fascist Out has changed from being a ' secret organisation’? I ask this for two reasons, firstly it was demanded of me on a previous link on this site that you wanted to remain secret, and if this is the case, how do you seek to mobilise openly as a secret organisation? I put these questions in a genuine way to attempt to understand.

Your points on lobbying, on the police etc. I will go into depth in my future ARN article as they are also important points, but briefly on strategy

In recent times on a number of occasions our mobilisations and our actions via various strategies has brought an end for a time to brutal and overt attacks in specific areas. This provided both a breathing space for the minority ethnic community and for the network to build roots. These various strategies where needed in specific situations due in many cases to local conditions that needed to be taken into account, which I cannot go into presently, but will in time

In doing so, {creating an initial large broad platform} we are processing from that, to creating an activists based grassroots, community and trade union based Network. Which as stated, will mobilise on the streets to confront such organisations if they become visible.

So initially rather than getting solely the left into a room, and all that goes with that, we sought a broad front against the attacks, Differing tactics Sean are also needed when the enemy is not visible or slithers in the night.

As for a 'front for recruitment', putting aside that I have stated on numerous occasions even on this site that the issue and the campaigns should be the priority. I would hope Sean that you do not believe that I and others who have put their heads above water and into the public domain {and all that to date that has went with it, over the last year or so} to stand against such attacks, do it for any other priority than to stand firm against these scum that terrorise the most vulnerable.

Sean the ARN has worked many strategies, that to date has created breathing spaces on several occasions. Breathing spaces for the minority ethnic community but also breathing space for the network to expand and build.

With that now we can muster the support of, as stated, the minority ethnic organisations, human rights groups' grassroots environmental, anti war, anti globalisation, community, solidarity, women’s, community, student, gay and lesbian rights and campaign activists etc along side trade unionists, trades union councils, trade unions, and the trade union movement as a whole, as we had done in the last week.

And so, with that, we potentially have a movement that can mobilise our class against the fascists. We potential have a Network that can begin to mobilise workers and working class communities against such organisations if, and when ,they become visible.

Of course various tactics are needed in various situations. Yet I have been in rooms in the past with solely the left and have seen the difficulties where ideological purism and sectarianism are rife, therefore the campaign got nowhere. My and others experience in initiating the Anti War Movement in the North and its mass mobilisations had taught us lessons that we have took into the initiation of the ARN.

On both occasions it was a broad front of many organisations including that of the trade union movement. And it was and is good to see the trade union movement standing firm both against the war on Iraq and now against the racial attacks.

With that support, the momentum, and the public profile created, the ARN steering group is now actively seeking to build, grassroots community and trade union networks based on the mobilisation and activism within and of each.

In recent times we are starting to achieve that, and on top of that we are raising the issues of importance. Therefore we are working that now from a position of strength, with the collective involvement of many of the workers organisations involved, which was brought about by initiating that broad front and creating public momentum, as opposed to what I have experience before of getting the left in the room and going no where fast,

So yes we differ on tactics Sean and I welcome your engagement I hope such can continue in a fraternal way. I will say finally on your last point

{'You don't talk about fascism, you smash it"
See you on the streets!}

On that first part Sean we need to organise against it. Fascist don't always take to the street, they sometimes attempt a cloak of respectability, in a suit for example when they knock on your door, and they don't all have bomber jackets, DM boots and skinheads. Sometime the come in the night, sometimes the embrace many working class sentiments against socio and economic deprivation, thus attempting to provide scapegoats. We also see many other underlying situations and issues at play in the North within communities. So they have many differing tactics Sean and we need to counter them via various avenues.

But at the end of the day, and fundementally, it is the power of the working class and its organisations that can smash them if the become visible. The ARN by initially creating a broad front and public momentum now has the support of many such organisations. To date we have had to deal with those who are not visible but extremely dangerous and to date in many cases we have been successful.

At the end of the day Sean we hold tactical differences as how to prepare the ground and mobilise and we both have dealt to date with very different circumstances. Yet I agree that the fascists need smashed when they are visible and, one day if needs be, I will stand with you, firm, as will I believe a whole network of working class peoples and their organisations, if needed.

In the meantime we each in our differing ways need to crush and dis- able both the visible and more subtle aspects of them from the onset. Our tactics differ but our cause is the same. Solidarity Comrade. D

by sean - Fascists Out Campaign

Mon Aug 09, 2004 16:52

As someone who is involved in Fascists Out Campaign i would like to point out that we have no wish to conduct a so-called elitist private battle with Fascists which would be totally utopian and as history tells us will fail. We need to assist and mobilise our class across the sectarian divide to expose and isolate those thugs and furher the cause of creating as equals an environment in which these scum will be not allowed to organise. Furthermore we feel that racism and other artificial divsions can only be minimised if we attack and erradicate the conditions which encourage and legitimise racism and homophobia etc which is capitalism and the state. Involved in this campaign are socialists, anarchists and community and trade union activists under the one common banner which is about tackling fascism and its root causes.
I do feel it is rather naive to lobby the government for race hate legislation because firstly their racist bigots who whip up fear and ignorance themselves and secondly legislation will be used against those of whom it is not neccessirily aimed at such as ourselves. Also relying and depending on the police who are part of the institutionalised apparatus of repression and discrimation our part of the problem and not solution. As you are aware considering the bismal record of the cops charging the perpetrators. I do support ethnic minorities fighting back although not in isolation as it must be a joint campaign with the local community. Most importantly the strategy must not been about just 'outsiders' roming into community as they need to develop their own infastructure. The relatioship must be one builtt on trust, grassroots support and equality.
I welcome the formation of the ARN as a positive and hopefully it doesn't become another front for recruitment and we should exchange skills and knowledge and togetheir there should be some form of relationship if we are going to tackle this disease.
There is to some extent small differences between the two as we reject class alliances as workers and bosses have nothing in common and that the real sponsers and parasites are the wealthy and not immigrants. Whereas it perhaps seems that the ARN is following the 'populist' agenda. These our just political and tactical differences and i hope that you don't regard them as sectarian. Diversity can sometimes be a strength!
In the near future we hope to get a website up and running and i hope some form of constructive debate and co-operation can develop.
"You don't talk about fascism, you smash it"
See you on the streets!

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Comments (11 of 11)