Unite Against Fascism News

[michele cryer]

Press Release
9th March 2006


Holocaust Survivor, MOBO award winner and Anti-fascists urge people to register to vote to stop the BNP

A coalition of Black, Jewish, LGBT groups, trade unionists and community leaders is calling on people to register to vote by March 13 as a first step to stopping the BNP getting elected during the Local council elections on May 4th. The Unite Against Fascism Campaign has brought together people from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum, including holocaust survivors and rising pop stars, to demonstrate that everyone has a role to play in defeating the BNP. There are 3.5 Million people in Britain who could vote but are not registered.




Henry Guterman MBE, Refugee from the Holocaust said:

"Having lost many members of my family in the Holocaust, I do not want to see a repetition of the Nazi's systematic annihilation of many communities, including the Jewish, Black, Lesbian and Gay people and all those who spoke up against their evil policies. That is why I am determined to fight the BNP who are trying to copy Hitler's method of coming to power. Please follow me by using your democratic right to vote, as a small turn out favours the Fascist parties. Make sure that you register to vote by the 13th of March."



Lethal Bizzle, MOBO award winning Grime MC said:

"Make sure you go and use your vote when the election comes up, votes are so powerful you don't even know what it can do....use your vote and make a difference in your area"



Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
"In last year's general election the BNP polled the biggest vote for a fascist party in British history. They will seek to consolidate this electorally this year in the local council elections. Where they gain seats, racist attacks increase. In areas where the majority of people turned out and voted, the BNP were driven back. Voter registration is the first necessary step in stopping the BNP gaining ground. We urge people to register by March 13."




To hear Lethal Bizzle's message in full visit www.uaf.org.uk/news.asp?choice=60308



To view UAF's National Leaflet on the forthcoming council elections visit www.uaf.org.uk/resources/EV0602natleaflet.pdf


For more information contact Weyman Bennett - Joint Secretary Unite Against Fascism Secretary on 07734 032314 / 020 7833 4916 or Milena Buyum on 07879 612234 [e-mail] www.uaf.org.uk

[michele cryer]

Press release from the Muslim Council of Britain



09 Mar 2006

British Muslims Urged to Register to Vote Before Monday's Deadline

The Muslim Council of Britain is asking Imams and mosques
throughout the UK to use this week's Friday sermon (Khutbah) to emphasise
the need for British Muslims to register to vote. With the approaching
deadline of Monday 13th March for voter registration in respect of the
English local elections due to be held on Thursday May 4th 2006, the need to
register is urgent.

"The Elections Minister, Harriet Harman, recently revealed that
in London alone over 60,000 Muslims (18% of the total Muslim population in
London) were not registered to vote. This is clearly unacceptable. British
Muslims are greatly underrepresented in politics at both the local and
national level, and it is vital that we address and rectify this situation.
Imams, mosques and Muslim organisations across the country should help make
voter registration forms available to British Muslims," said Sir Iqbal
Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The Muslim Council of Britain has also informed its affiliate
organisations to draw urgent attention to the upcoming deadline.

The MCB notes that some far right extremist groups are seeking
to exploit the traditional low turnout at local elections to make inroads on
May 4 and have provocatively described the elections as a 'Referendum Day on
Islam'. The MCB urges all people of goodwill to vote in the May 4th
elections to ensure that fascist groups are comprehensively defeated at the
ballot box.

[michele cryer]

UNITE AGAINST FASCISM -
North West Regional meeting, Saturday 11th March, 3.15 - 5.30 p.m.
Biko Cafe, in basement of Manchester University Students Union, Oxford Road,
Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PR

Manchester UAF is hosting a regional UAF meeting, to discuss the threat of the
BNP in the forthcoming local elections, to plan activity and how better to
coordinate our work across the region.

We warmly invite representatives of UAF groups in cities and towns across the
North West to send representatives to this meeting, as well as inviting our own
supporters from Manchester.

Speakers will include Mohammed Azam (TGWU, Oldham), Jim Battle (Deputy Leader,
Manchester City Council), Weyman Bennett (joint national secretary of UAF), John
Campbell (secretary, Sheffield TUC), Helen Christie (Pendle UAF), Henry Guterman
(Holocaust survivor), Sam Kirk (Leeds UAF). Speakers also invited from NW TUC
and Love Music Hate Racism.

By train, it's best to get off at Oxford Road and take a bus south down Oxford
Road. (There are lots of buses.) From Piccadilly bus station, any bus going down
Oxford Road. By car, the easiest parking is in Pencroft Way, which runs through
Manchester Business Park to the west of Oxford Road. You can walk through the
University buildings to Oxford Road. There's a map on the web at

www.streetmap.co.uk/newprint.srf?x=384681&y=396429&z=1&searchp=newprint.srf&mapp=newmap.srf&dn=817&ax=384681&ay=396429
(or go to streetmap.co.uk and type in M13 9PR)

If you need further information, do not hesitate to contact us.

Dick Withecombe (secretary) [e-mail]
Colin Barker (chair) [e-mail]
Manchester Unite Against Fascism

[michele cryer]

Unite Against Fascism
PO Box 36871, London, WC1X 9XT
020 7833 4916
<mailto:[e-mail]>, <http://www.uaf.org.uk>

News release, for immediate release
24 March 2006

Anti-fascists welcome BNP defeat in Keighley

The BNP were defeated in yesterday's local council by-election in the Keighley
West ward (Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council). The BNP's vote fell from 1659
in 2004 - the last time the ward was contested - to 1216. In 2004 the BNP
received 200 more votes than the Labour candidate who finished second. Yesterday
Labour won the ward with a 600 majority over the BNP who received the second
highest vote (see below for full results).

John Campbell, Yorkshire and Humberside Unite Against Fascism, Chair said:

"We are delighted that the BNP were defeated in Keighley yesterday. We
particularly welcome the Labour candidate Angela Sinfield's efforts to expose
the racist myth the BNP exploited in Keighley in previous elections, that the
sexual abuse of young girls was an exclusively Asian phenomenon. She rightly
pointed out that the perpetrators of the abuse were both white and Asian men.
The BNP's defeat yesterday is a step forward for the whole of Yorkshire. However
Keighley and other parts of West Yorkshire are the BNP's strongest areas in
Britain and the anti-fascist movement must vigorously campaign against the BNP
in the local elections. The best way to do this is to challenge the racism they
thrive on."

Notes for editor:
1. Keighley West by-election results, 23 March 2006
Labour, 1819, 47%
BNP, 1216, 31%
Conservative, 627, 16%
Liberal Democrats, 208, 5%
Turnout 35%
2. For further information contact John Campbell on 07944 928 616, Paul
Scarrott on 07782 149 645 or Sam Kirk on 07932 221 014.

[michele cryer]

Burnley - former BNP councillor jailed


Five Jailed After England Violence

FIVE Burnley fans have been jailed for their part in disturbances after an England football international in Manchester.

The incidents relate to large-scale violent disorder in four areas of Manchester city centre on October 9th, 2004, after the England and Wales World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford.

Luke Smith (24), of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, Daniel Tempest (22), of Cog Lane, Burnley, Jonathan Kearney (20), of Waddington Avenue, Burnley, Paul McNeil (25), of Kings Meadow Mews, West Yorkshire, and Nicholas Whittle (46), of Brandwood Road, Bacup, were jailed for their part in the disturbances and given six-year football banning orders.

The hooligans were arrested as part of Greater Manchester Police's Operation Lucas, but Smith, Tempest and Kearney were also given additional punishments for separate incidents investigated as part of Burnley Police's Operation Fixture.

Smith, a former BNP councillor on Burnley Borough Council, was jailed for 11 months for the Manchester incident and given a further six months for incidents in Blackpool in May, 2004, and Burnley in August, 2005.

Tempest was jailed for 10 months for the Manchester incident and given a further six months consecutive for incidents in Blackpool and Preston in May, 2004.

Kearney was sentenced to eight months at a young offenders' institute and a further four months consecutive for affray in Blackpool in May, 2004.

McNeil was jailed for 10 months for his part in the Manchester disorder.

Whittle was jailed for 10 months for his part in the Manchester disorder and a further four months for an incident in Burnley on November 9th, 2004.
Two further Burnley fans have also been punished for their part in the Manchester disturbances.

Graeme Brennan (23) of Holcombe Drive, Burnley, was given a 200 hour community punishment order, ordered to pay £1,500 compensation, and given a three-year football banning order.

Thomas Andrew Carlin (23) of Glen View Road, Burnley, was given a 200 hour community punishment order, ordered to pay£1500 compensation, and given a three-year football banning order.

Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Stephen Thomas, said: "These sentences should send a stark warning to anyone who may have any intention of becoming involved in football related violence.

"We take incidents of this nature very seriously and work closely with other forces to make sure that the people responsible for it are brought to justice."

A spokesman for Burnley-based Operation Fixture, said: "In the lead-up to the World Cup there will be a very positive proactive stance taken by police in respect of individuals wanting to cause trouble. Police in Lancashire will be targeting individuals likely to cause trouble by travelling to Germany. There will be a massive police operation based at seaports and airports. We actively discourage these people from travelling."

24 March 2006

[michele cryer]

Unite Against Fascism
PO Box 36871, London WC1X 9XT
020 7833 4916, [e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]>, www.uaf.org.uk

News release, for immediate release

Thursday 25 May 2006

Anti-fascists welcome Court of Appeal ruling against Bradford BNP councillor

Unite Against Fascism (UAF) welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision overturning the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) controversial decision which ruled in favour of BNP councillor Arthur Redfearn, claiming that he had been dismissed by Serco on racial grounds. The Court of Appeal held that Redfearn’s complaint did not fall within the Race Relations Act 1976 and that it was wrong to say that he had been dismissed on racial grounds. The Judge said that Redfearn’s claim of race discrimination would "cover cases that would produce consequences at odds with the legislative aim" and "turn the policy of race relations legislation upside down.”

Weyman Bennett, Unite Against Fascism said:
“We welcome the Court of Appeal's decision. A member of a fascist and racist organisation claiming race discrimination makes a mockery of race discrimination legislation designed to protect the victims of racism. This is a victory for those who want a society free of racism and discrimination."

Mohammed Azam, National Assembly Against Racism said:
“This is a tremendous result. We were concerned that that EAT’s decision could have set a worrying precedent which defeated the object of race relations and race discrimination legislation. We believe the Court of Appeal was absolutely right in ruling that the BNP councillor’s race discrimination case would ‘turn the policy of race relations legislation upside down’. We welcome this decision.”

For further information or interviews please contact UAF on 020 7833 4916, Sabby Dhalu on 07980 921 076 or Weyman Bennett on 07734 032 314.



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[michele cryer]

Unite Against Fascism
PO Box 36871, London WC1X 9XT
020 7833 4916, [e-mail], www.uaf.org.uk

News release, for immediate release
23 June 2006

Anti-fascists say sentence given to BNP councillor is too soft

Anti-fascists today argued the sentence given to BNP councillor Brian Turner was too soft after he was found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence. He escaped a jail sentence and was instead ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community. Turner has previous convictions of common assault and police assault after he was convicted of beating up his wife Melanie Turner.

Further highlighting the racist and violent nature of the BNP, Kevin Hughes the agent for the BNP councillor in Redditch in the West Midlands, was sentenced to three months in prison for racially aggravated common assault.

Mohammed Azam, Labour Party NEC member said:
“Both of these cases show the true nature of the BNP: a violent, racist and fascist organisation that is not fit for public office. Given the history of violence and previous convictions, this is a very lenient sentence. The BNP is not an ordinary political party. Councils also have a legal duty to promote anti-racism and this is undermined by BNP councillors.”

Kitty Ussher MP for Burnley said:
"I think the facts speak for themselves. The BNP say they are on the side of the people but in reality BNP councillors have no impact in the Council Chamber and do not have the interests of their constituents at heart. This is just the latest in a string of embarrassments for Burnley BNP. In addition to his latest conviction for racially aggravated assault, Brian Turner has also been convicted of beating up his wife, assaulting a Police officer and last September received a three-year football banning order. He should resign immediately."

Keith Sonnet, UNISON Deputy General Secretary said:
“Brian Turner should resign immediately. There are many UNISON members working in local government with BNP councillors, and many working for Burnley Borough Council. With this sort of criminal record it is a disgrace that Brian Turner has not resigned.”

Bill Anderson, West Midlands National Union of Teachers and Unite Against Fascism said:
“The BNP feed upon racism and tension through lies and distortion. This is not helped by some sections of the media’s coverage on asylum and immigration particularly. Whenever the BNP get elected racist attacks increase, because it gives racists the confidence to treat ethnic minorities like second class citizens.”

Sabby Dhalu, Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary said:
“These cases show that the BNP is a fascist and racist organisation not fit for public office. The sentence given to Brian Turner is too soft, racial aggravation is offence that should face the full force of the law.”


Weyman Bennett, Unite Against Fascism said:
“This makes clear what the BNP represent: a group of violent nazi thugs that put on suits in the elections in order to get votes but violently attack people who do not fit in with their politics of hate.”

For further information contact Unite Against Fascism on 020 7833 4916, Sabby Dhalu on 07980 921 076 or Weyman Bennett on 07734 032 314.