150 Join Rally to Stop the BNP in the North West to launch “Keep the North West Fascist Free” campaign

Around 150 trade unionists, students, pensioners and anti racist campaigners from across Greater Manchester and the rest of the North West gathered at Manchester Town Hall this Thursday (20/11/08) to discuss the threat from the fascist BNP in the coming Euro elections. Former Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Afzal Khan spoke of the need to expose the BNP for what they really are- a racist, fascist party hiding behind their suits to gain respectability. Alan Manning NW TUC Regional Secretary sent a message, which was read out, wishing for a successful meeting and pledging support from North West TUC for forthcoming UAF campaign against the BNP. Sue Bond, PCS Vice President and Dr Abdul Aziz Balatar, MCB Assistant Secretary spoke of the threat to all our communities posed by the BNP and called on trade unionists and faith communities to join with others in activity to oppose racism and fascism. Students from Manchester University Student Union received warm applause as they told of how they had voted to adopt a policy of No Platform for fascism at their General Meeting on Wednesday (19/11/08). Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary of UAF explained why it was in the public interest for the BNP membership list to be publicly known. The list included teachers, doctors and even a dentist. Members of a party that denies the holocaust and wants an all white Britain should never be in a position to abuse people in their care. Weyman urged people to become involved in the campaign to stop the BNP leader Nick Griffin from becoming a North West MEP in next June’s Euro elections. Sam O’Brien from Manchester UAF talked of the fantastic response the campaign had received in the area and announced a programme of activity including mass leafleting in Manchester city centre to start in the new year. The stall was inundated with people wanting to take away materials and collection sheets to help build against the BNP in their workplaces, colleges, unions and communities and a collection at the meeting raised ?Ǭ