The anti-fascist demos went brilliantly, there was so much energy at the protest you could almost feel it. There were people there from all kinds of political groups, the peace movement, the trade unions, socialists, hippies, punks and anti-racist and LGBT groups. There was also a real cross-section of society, the young, the old and in-between. I think that everyone who went to the protest should feel proud of their commtiment and peaceful conduct. I thought the TUC reps and police were brilliant at cooling the crowd down when things got a heated, while still being respectable to the protesters. Sometimes I thought some of the banter of my fellow protesters was a little raw and nasty but I think thats just what happens at this sort of thing.
Above all, I think we should feel proud as Leeds students for helping to make the event such a huge success. I think we sent out a clear and resounding message on too fronts. Firstly not all students are apolitical bums and most of us do care about the future of this country. Old Socialism and the trade unions are not dying, they are finding new life in a whole new generation of radical and committed people who want a better society, free from inequality, exclusion and division. Mostly importantly however the protests gave a clear message that we as a city and as a university will not tolerate fascism. The size of the protest shows us this. People came out on a rainy workday to say no too hate. People turned out ro say no to extremism, no to racism, no to antt-trade unionism and no to homophobia,. People showed up becuase they felt passionately about making their voices heard even as the BNP tried to insult us and mock us we carried on. Thats British democracy at work, not in the chamber but down at the grass-roots. As one trade unionist leader pointed out the protest is a part of an on-goingg battle with the extreme right, we must go away after the protest fever has died down to work against fascism in our local community Maybe this is something the assembly could look into as part of our fight against homophobia and biphobobia?
Anyways- Well done chaps and gals, especially to Rich for making such a fab blacard, it was the first the trade union leader spotted, well done u! Even you couldn't make the protest I'd still advice anyone to get involved with an anti-fascism in Leeds or get involved with the trade-union movement in some way; because I think today's proved that every contribution counts,
I wanna be on Telly! Thought the protest was good, and I agree with Ben that it was impressive the diversity of people who turned out to show their support for the cause. I am tempted to go on a massive rant about ****ing socialist worker and the way they just turn up at any remotely political protest and try to draw attention away from the real cause of the day in favour of their own rather sad George Galloway based cause. But that is a story for another day I feel.
It was kind of a shame that the guy standing with us never got to throw his eggs at Nick Griffen, but I thought it was a success nonethless. I can't believe the BNP had the cheek to suggest that they are promoting freedom whilst chanting get muslims out of Britain! But I think as long as people are prepared to attend these things and make the point that the BNP need stopping, it's all good.
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I reserve... I reserve... I have a reservation... I HAVE a reservation.. What do you mean its not in the computer?
I was all suited n booted n being a security guard at the leeds college of music... otherwise i would have come. But on the bright side i earned money for standing around & they really like me there so I've been put to top of their list in cases where they need a security guard for the future, YAY! Not bad at all to say i only had basic training on friday n this was my first job under a security agency.
sat in the union all suited n booted now, i actually scrubb up really well... just ask luara, shes sat near me as i type
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Nic - Union Council LGBT Assembly Chair
Contact me at - lgbt.assembly@leeds.ac.uk / nicturner_85@hotmail.com
It's been a long time I haven't posted anything. Sorry, I was busy with an assignment after I returned from abroad.
Now, it's time to act. Today, I came across something really gross!
BNP fans have a website to track people involved in action against their "values". At some point one of us might find his/her name listed on their website with a nice photo; I found a mention about a gay clergyman and many other comments on other people though not threatening yet somehow disturbing. Brace yourselves: http://www.redwatch.net/lre3.html OR http://www.redwatch.net/index2.html
Do you think we could react, report it or contact somebody? I suggest somebody mentions it in the next committee meeting tomorrow (11/11/05).
