Leeds Bradford Anti-racism

Hundreds demonstrate in Leeds against Zimbabwean deportations

15-09-2006 13:39

Zimbabweans from across the UK led a huge demonstration in Leeds on Saturday 16 September against the resumption of deportations of refused asylum seekers back to Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe [see report]. The protest, called by the Zimbabwe Refugee Community Organisation with the backing of the Refugee Council (Yorkshire and Humberside) and campaign group Leeds No Borders, began outside Leeds Central Library at 12pm. It was addressed by, among others Mafungasei Maikokera, one of the famous Yarls Wood hunger strikers who resisted deportation on a plane bound for Harare. Hundreds of people then spontaneously marched into the main shopping precinct to the sound of samba and song.

The demonstration was called in response to a legal ruling in August that 'refused' asylum seekers no longer automatically face persecution if returned to Zimbabwe - despite the UK government's own very public condemnation of human rights abuses by the Mugagbe regime. These Zimbabweans now face the possibility of imminent deportation. Only last Wednesday in Zimbabwe, the country's main trade union leader was arrested by police for attempting to hold a demonstration which the government had earlier banned. Wellington Chibebe was beaten with batons and rifle butts as the police arrested him and 15 others. Zimbabweans are not alone - the Home Office has recently stepped up its efforts to forcibly remove asylum seekers en masse back to Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Leeds Fascist Mailbox Picketed

12-01-2006 10:39

Providers of postal addresses to Fascist organisations in Leeds Mail Boxes Etc (UK) Ltd (MBE), were picketed on Tuesday.

The picket encouraged many people to challenge the management of Leeds City MBE. Several people who were collecting mail also said they would be cancelling their contract with MBE, rather than share an address with Nazis. There was one short disruption when two thugs tried to disrupt the picket. Through the time more than 300 leaflets were distributed.

Recently MBE branches in both Belfast and Brighton have taken a welcome decision not to play host to fascists, but so far the Leeds branch have refused to reconsider their position, despite being shown documentation on the British Peoples Party and their fascist activities. The 635 Group, who organised the picket, will be organising further protests.

[Full report and text of leaflet disributed]
Update 16 Jan 2006 BPP Loose Leeds Mailbox

West Yorks against the Fascism

06-11-2005 12:38

Coinciding with the court case of Nick Griffin leader of the BNP a large demonstration against the Fascists was organised in Leeds. The anti-fascists turning up, upwards of 600 people, well out numbered the larger than usual BNP presence outside the court. Griffin and fellow party hack Collett, who are up for inciting to racial hatred, were pelted with eggs and flour as they entered the building. [Report: Huge anti-fascist march in Leeds humiliates the 'master-race'] [Pictures and Report: BNP morons hold 'national demo'] [Pictures: Protest against the fascist BNP in Leeds]

Later in the week there was another protest planned in Keighley [Announcement] to counter more racially inflammatory actions by the 'British Nationalists'. This was called off as the BNP march was banned by the Home Secretary. 'Unite Against Fascism' who called the demo are promoting this as a 'big victory for the campaign against the BNP'.

There are also anti-fascist benifit gigs planned. The first in Leeds on the 11th at Hanover Square the second a rearranged event at the 1 in 12 Club, Bradford [Details].

Northern Communties Fight Against Fortress Europe

03-10-2005 13:45

Over 500 marched in Bolton on Saturday in solidarity with the Sukula family, against Section 9 of the 2004 Asylum & Immigration Act and for an end to all immigration controls.

The Sukula family is one among many who after the proposed introduction of Section 9 is threatened to be separated and have their children taken into care. Their pledge for asylum was rejected and they do not receive any benefits. Bolton City Council still refuses the implementation of Section 9, currently tested in a few northern councils which would oblige them to take the kids of the Sukula family into care on the grounds that their parents cannot support them. The council argues that this would violate Section 20 of the 1989 Children Act and the cost of it would be higher than continuing paying benefits to the family. The support of the Sukula family and the opposition against Section 9 brought together groups and unions from various northern cities and towns. Two unions decided in a consensus vote of their members to refuse to participate in implementing Section 9. Speakers reminded the crowd of the importance to build local and regional networks of solidarity and resistance aganist the racist policies of the British and EU governments.

UK Indymedia feature: Oct 1st: Migrants and Supporters Protest Against Deportations

Don't be fooled by fascist lies

14-04-2005 13:39

The struggle against fascism is one where we must be ever vigilant, and we should of course not expect the fascists to play fairly. They will use every tactic possible, from nail-bombs in Gay pubs to street-attacks upon asylum seekers and on known anti-racists, and from raising their profile and influence through the smokescreen of electoralism to the manipulation of the anti-racist movement from within.

Recently, the fascists have been attempting to use Indymedia to undermine anti-fascist struggle in a variety of ways – Making attacks on Antifa and The 635 Group, often through the pretence of liberalism, and by spreading lies about non-existent actions, giving out a false e-mail address similar to that of The 635 Group as a way of obtaining information on anti-fascists, and most recently by claiming that members of The 635 Group have been arrested for an action in which a child was injured.
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Noise Demo - Lindholme Detention Centre

30-01-2004 15:13

Saturday 31st January was a Europe Wide Day of Action against Refugee Detention and for Migrant Rights. As part of this day there was a noise demo outside Lindholme Refugee Detention Centre near Doncaster with a good turnout from from Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds.

The Sheffield Samba Band contributed to the noise and have some photos on their site.

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