This week a letter has been published by one or more local newspapers.
It is from the British Nazi Party, with an Inverness PO Box number, stating its intention to stand candidates in the next European elections.
It is from the British Nazi Party, with an Inverness PO Box number, stating its intention to stand candidates in the next European elections.
The letter is not necessarily a sign of growing fascist organisation on the ground. It could be merely an address of convenience, an anonymous recruiting agent. The Nazis can conduct an election campaign without any people 'on the ground' and will be at pains to appear as the respectable defenders of 'British' interests. The BNP remain extremely weak in Scotland but we must not be complacent. The PO Box number suggests, however, they now have at least one local contact willing to act for them.
The fascists have changed their image in recent years. Out are skinheads and Doc Martins, in are collars and tie. But this thin veneer of respectability hides a festering criminal heap of hatred and bigotry - and their thuggery remains a principal weapon.
Previously, Nazi activity in Scotland has not reached these parts, apart from a brief interlude featuring extreme nationalists calling themselves (or him/herself) 'Settler Watch' some years ago. This was not thought to be NF activity at the time.
More recently, we are aware of one active fascist on the Inverness Raigmore Estate. There are "retired" NF thugs in Wester Ross and Invergordon, and a couple of tatooed characters have been spotted in Wick and Inverness in recent months. Some or all of these may be dormant or no longer active. We may be quite unaware of new converts or organisers moving in. The BNP is not short of cash. Racist attacks on foreign labourers have been documented in Dingwall and Elgin and, to date, blamed on drunken louts. Racist graffiti has also been noted. Rumours of the odd BNP appearance on Inverness High Street have never been confirmed.
BNP presence is usually accompanied by a rise in assaults on blacks, Asians and immigrants. Anti-rascist campaigns and left groups appeal to everyone, in the months ahead, to keep an eye out for the BNP. If you see sympathetic articles/letters in your local paper, or get leaflets through your door, please let them know.
If you read a newspaper or court report of possible racist attacks (the Police rarely describe them as such), tell it, too.
The fascists have changed their image in recent years. Out are skinheads and Doc Martins, in are collars and tie. But this thin veneer of respectability hides a festering criminal heap of hatred and bigotry - and their thuggery remains a principal weapon.
Previously, Nazi activity in Scotland has not reached these parts, apart from a brief interlude featuring extreme nationalists calling themselves (or him/herself) 'Settler Watch' some years ago. This was not thought to be NF activity at the time.
More recently, we are aware of one active fascist on the Inverness Raigmore Estate. There are "retired" NF thugs in Wester Ross and Invergordon, and a couple of tatooed characters have been spotted in Wick and Inverness in recent months. Some or all of these may be dormant or no longer active. We may be quite unaware of new converts or organisers moving in. The BNP is not short of cash. Racist attacks on foreign labourers have been documented in Dingwall and Elgin and, to date, blamed on drunken louts. Racist graffiti has also been noted. Rumours of the odd BNP appearance on Inverness High Street have never been confirmed.
BNP presence is usually accompanied by a rise in assaults on blacks, Asians and immigrants. Anti-rascist campaigns and left groups appeal to everyone, in the months ahead, to keep an eye out for the BNP. If you see sympathetic articles/letters in your local paper, or get leaflets through your door, please let them know.
If you read a newspaper or court report of possible racist attacks (the Police rarely describe them as such), tell it, too.
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