Far right launch campaign of violence and intimidation against opponents

[nuisance]

Far right launch campaign of violence and intimidation against opponents (http://norfolkunity.blogspot.com/2009/08/far-right-launch-campaign-of-violence.html)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/02/far-right-campaign-of-violence


Aryan Martyrs' Brigade issues death threat against anti-fascism activist Weyman Bennett, while student attacked after BNP protest

Far-right activists have launched a campaign of intimidation and violence against political opponents including a series of death threats and physical attacks.

Hardline fascists are targeting students and leading anti-racism activists who campaigned against the British National party in June's European elections.

A group calling itself the Aryan Martyrs' Brigade has issued threats including a "death warrant" sent to Weyman Bennett, the joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism, stating he will be killed before the end of the year "for crimes against all loyal white patriots and British nationalists".

The threat, which the police are investigating and has a picture of Bennett in cross hairs, states: "We know exactly what you look like and what venues you frequent and can strike at will. The police, special branch, MI5, Searchlight cannot save you from the bullets coming your way. No matter where you are, we will get you, all we need is a lock on your mobile phone signal and you are one dead nigger."

Others have received threatening emails and at least one prominent activist was attacked after his picture appeared on an extreme rightwing website that was taken during protests against the BNP.

"There has definitely been an upsurge in attacks and intimidation since the European elections," said Bennett. "The fringe rightwing groups appeared to be on their best behaviour when the BNP were campaigning but once the election was over they seem to be trying to take their revenge on those of us who were prominent in the anti-fascist campaign."

The increase in rightwing violence comes after Scotland Yard admitted it was deploying more resources to monitor far-right extremists amid fears of a terrorist attack. Commander Shaun Sawyer told a meeting organised by the Muslim Safety Forum last month that there was a growing threat from the far right.

"I fear they will have a spectacular …they will carry out an attack that will lead to a loss of life or injury to a community somewhere," he said.

Sawyer added that more specialist officers needed to be deployed to counter the threat from far-right groups.

Bennett, who has received threats in the past, has been told by the police to take the latest death threat more seriously.

"Standing up against people like the BNP you do sometimes get verbal threats and intimidation but this appears to be more serious," he said. "I don't intend to stop organising anti-racism events or confronting the fascists in the BNP but something like this does make me think more about my personal security."

One of the people who has been assaulted in recent weeks is Gary McNally, who helped organise a Love Music Hate Racism festival in Stoke-on-Trent in May. After the European elections, when the BNP gained two MEPs, the 23-year-old attended a protest outside a meeting in Blackpool. Several photographs of the student appeared on the extremist Redwatch website, which is understood to be linked to the Aryan Martyrs' Brigade, alongside the slogan "Remember places, traitors' faces, they'll all pay for their crimes". A few days later McNally was attacked.

"I was about 200 yards from my house and I felt something smash against my face and I heard the words, 'You are a disgrace to your country,' and I saw a pair of shoes as I fell to the ground," he said.

McNally, a student at Staffordshire University, was taken to hospital where he was treated for cuts and bruises to his face and head.

"After I had been hit I thought I had gone blind in my left eye. The attack has left me very scared – the BNP put on this respectable front but I suppose this is the reality of what happens if you publicly stand up and disagree with them."

Simon Darby, deputy leader of the BNP, said the attacks and threats had nothing to do with the party.

"It is rather ironic that they are complaining about being attacked when they use similar tactics themselves," he added.

[Pogue]

Fascism shows its true colours then. Its no problem. A militant response from anti-fascists will always deal with these joke artists.

[Stand Your Ground]

Ya know...my family and friends can't understand why I'm always on the computer researching anti-Nazi, anti-fascist stuff...they say it doesn't matter anymore...it's over...it's dead...they say it doesn't effect them cause we live in the U.S. It makes me mad how unaware they are...I try to educate them but they don't listen...It's not really that big of a problem in America...YET...it's alive and well in the U.K.

Anti-fascists need to strike back and defend themselves.

[ls]

Ya know...my family and friends can't understand why I'm always on the computer researching anti-Nazi, anti-fascist stuff...they say it doesn't matter anymore...it's over...it's dead...they say it doesn't effect them cause we live in the U.S. It makes me mad how unaware they are...I try to educate them but they don't listen...It's not really that big of a problem in America...YET...it's alive and well in the U.K.

"alive and well"? Try going on youtube and search "autonome nationalisten" and look at all the 'autonome nationalisten' dressed in black, alternatively look at the older British Movement/NF marches through London with massive groups of people openly sieg heiling.

Also what Pogue said.

[Stand Your Ground]

"alive and well"? Try going on youtube and search "autonome nationalisten" and look at all the 'autonome nationalisten' dressed in black, alternatively look at the older British Movement/NF marches through London with massive groups of people openly sieg heiling.

Also what Pogue said.
That's what I'm talking about...

[communard resolution]

Scary stuff.

But...



"After I had been hit I thought I had gone blind in my left eye. The attack has left me very scared – the BNP put on this respectable front but I suppose this is the reality of what happens if you publicly stand up and disagree with them."

How does he know it was BNP members when he saw nothing but a pair of shoes? Is there any evidence that the Aryan Brigade (or whatever they are called) are linked to the BNP?

Browsing through far right forums, one will find that there are quite a few hardcore Nazis in the UK (the BPP and such) who look at the BNP as we look at the Labour party.

[Partizani]

The fascists will not and can not reclaim the streets while they continue to adopt this 'Suits not Boots' strategy, this seems to just be a isolated event blown out of proportions.

They can do these group attacks, anyone can do them but it doesnt mean they are ON THE RISE as the guardian seems to put it.

Its like them publishing a story of a group of kids mugging a old granny, then saying KIDS ATTACKS ARE DOUBLING.

[Pogue]

The thing is that electoral success gives them confidence. A natural expression of this will be a physical presence - violence like this and also things like marches, etc. I think all this does is prove why we need a militant response.

[nuisance]

Antifa response-
http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=191

Revleft thread-
http://www.revleft.com/vb/aryan-martyrs-brigade-t114356/index.html

[communard resolution]

Antifa response-
http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=191


:lol: Very funny piece, thanks for that.

Now that the 'legitimate democratic' parties are losing votes and public confidence fast, the bourgeoisie is keen to big up the non-existent fascist threat in the UK - anyone dumb enough to Unite Against Fascism with the bourgeoisie?

Terrorist attacks imminent... this sounds strangely familiar... is there a pattern?

[Sam_b]

by bigging-up every pathetic neo-Nazi gang they can find or invent

But....were'nt Antifa themselves doing this with regards to the BPP only a few months ago?

[nuisance]

But....were'nt Antifa themselves doing this with regards to the BPP only a few months ago?
No, they didn't.

[Sam_b]

My my, how convincing.

Would Antifa similarly describe the BFF as a 'pathetic neo-nazi gang'? Wasn't that just a fortnight ago.

Perhaps they should stop attacking other anti-fascist organisations and actually get some organising done.

[Melbourne Lefty]

This looks like a media beat up by Weyman and co to make themselves look really brave and that.

[nuisance]

My my, how convincing.

Would Antifa similarly describe the BFF as a 'pathetic neo-nazi gang'? Wasn't that just a fortnight ago.
You're unreal, aren't you. If you weren't aware, Antifa aren't in the business of bigging up fascist organisations, but much the opposite. It's no surprise that you haven't tried to back up your wacky accusations with an evidence yet, is it. Either put up or shut up.


Perhaps they should stop attacking other anti-fascist organisations and actually get some organising done.
Firstly you know nothing about Antifa and the work they do, with the organisation and other organisations. Secondly the criticisms made of groups like searchlight and UAF are founded on cold hard fact. Searchlight are nortrious for their nazi scare stories, conjuring the image of the ubermensch the madcaps aspire to be. Then we have UAF, which are hardly immune from criticism, like you seem to think they are- last years RWB demo was split by them and their antics, and this year, despite stating that they would work with the local organisers in regards to the counter demostration, looks to go the same way with their pathetic 'kettling' plan.

[Sam_b]

It's no surprise that you haven't tried to back up your wacky accusations with an evidence yet, is it. Either put up or shut up.


Fair enough, I would have thought it was obvious.

21st July "Nuneaton's Nazi Boozer": http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=186

BPP: http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=86

BPP member is a 'nonce' http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=36

It goes on and on. Is this or isn't this 'bigging up' tiny neo-nazi groups?

[nuisance]

Fair enough, I would have thought it was obvious.

21st July "Nuneaton's Nazi Boozer": http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=186

BPP: http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=86

BPP member is a 'nonce' http://www.antifa.org.uk/nucleus3.32/nucleus332/index.php?itemid=36

It goes on and on. Is this or isn't this 'bigging up' tiny neo-nazi groups?
So, I see the confusion here, you don't actually know what 'bigging up' means. To big up something means to make something appear more impressive/monumental than it is- http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bigging+up- which is what the Guardian article does. Those Antifa links you posted do the opposite, mocking and belittling the subject.

[Sam_b]

Tiny insignificant white nationalist gangs having their own pubs and the BPP having a demo isn't making them more 'monumental' eh? Toss.

But its going too far reporting on antifascists making death threats and attacking people?

[nuisance]

Tiny insignificant white nationalist gangs having their own pubs and the BPP having a demo isn't making them more 'monumental' eh? Toss.
:laugh:
This is getting embarassing now.
A article like that is to highlight the activities of fascists and the venues they frequent, aswell as highlighting the link between the BNP and more openly fascist groups- A BNP member actually owns the pub in Nuneaton which was used by BFF.
Also, are you saying that the BPP demo shouldn't have been opposed? I'm pretty sure that UAF publicised the event also.
Militant fascists advocate no platform, and stand by that.
It's also important to make clear that making the information accessible to interested parties is not making anything seen 'monumental', espicially while calling the participants involved sad acts and other abusive terms.


But its going too far reporting on antifascists making death threats and attacking people?
The attack of one person, not people, doesn't mean that the far right are launching a 'campaign of violence and intimidation against opponents' and nor does the article offer any evidence of it. Then we have Bennett recieving a nasty letter, which to be honest I'm surprised hasn't happened earlier with his prominent postion in UAF, which is somewhat unrelated to the attack of the student other than that they both have something to do with UAF activities.

[Sam_b]

article like that is to highlight the activities of fascists and the venues they frequent, aswell as highlighting the link between the BNP and more openly fascist groups- A BNP member actually owns the pub in Nuneaton which was used by BFF

Article in the Guardian that highlights the activities of fascists. I don't see what Antifa's problem is, apart from whining at every single anti-fascist except themselves.


Also, are you saying that the BPP demo shouldn't have been opposed? I'm pretty sure that UAF publicised the event also

No, but then again I'm not arguing that apparently the Guardian Article is hurtful to the cause, which Antifa specifically are. As usual, it is a complete double standard.


The attack of one person, not people, doesn't mean that the far right are launching a 'campaign of violence and intimidation against opponents' and nor does the article offer any evidence of it.

If you don't think this is one attack in a line of several over the past year then you're either delusional or stupid.

[Pogue]

Sam, why do you think Antifa are harmful 'to the cause'?

[Sam_b]

That debate has happened again and again, but what has it got to do with this here?

[Pogue]

If its got nothing to do with it, why did you mention it?

[Sam_b]

Please learn to read in context, I said:


but then again I'm not arguing that apparently the Guardian Article is hurtful to the cause, which Antifa specifically are

Antifa are arguing in their statement that the Guardian article in question is hurtful to the cause as it 'bigs up' tiny fascist groups. I am not arguing this line, which is what I was reponding to when Edelweiss Pirate asked if I was against the UAF and Antifa broadcasting the BPP protest.

Not that too hard of a concept to grasp, I would have thought.

[Pogue]

Oh ok fair enough I misunderstood you then.

[The Ungovernable Farce]

Tiny insignificant white nationalist gangs having their own pubs and the BPP having a demo isn't making them more 'monumental' eh? Toss.

So antifa should try and claim that that pub isn't owned by nazis? :confused:
That pub being nazi-owned is useful information to have out in public - if people know about it, they can act on it (in whatever way they see fit). In contrast, no-one really benefits from knowing that a nutter's been writing to Weyman Bennett, unless you're now going start following him around all the time in case you get a chance to leap in front of a bullet for him?

[nuisance]

Article in the Guardian that highlights the activities of fascists. I don't see what Antifa's problem is, apart from whining at every single anti-fascist except themselves.
It is hyperbolic scaremongering, promoting fear and mystique around fash. This is the problem not just Antifa have with it. But hey, keep repping the capitalist media.




No, but then again I'm not arguing that apparently the Guardian Article is hurtful to the cause, which Antifa specifically are. As usual, it is a complete double standard.
done in offering no evidence to counter the comment. Brillant. The two are in no way the same and to hint that they are is pathetically wrong. The article from the Guardian is a story promoting the idea of a fascist campaign of terror, where as the Antifa thing is encouraging people to confront the BPP and keep them off the streets. Similar? No, don't be a mug.



If you don't think this is one attack in a line of several over the past year then you're either delusional or stupid.
OK, so you think this threat and attack are part of a 'campaign of violence and intimidation against opponents', and to think that you accuse me of being delusional.

[nuisance]

Please learn to read in context, I said:



Antifa are arguing in their statement that the Guardian article in question is hurtful to the cause as it 'bigs up' tiny fascist groups. I am not arguing this line, which is what I was reponding to when Edelweiss Pirate asked if I was against the UAF and Antifa broadcasting the BPP protest.

Not that too hard of a concept to grasp, I would have thought.
Isn't that ironic. You seem to have missed the point of the Antifa article, yet you accuse Pogue of not being able to read contextually!


For decades, the pseudo-antifascist entity ‘Searchlight’ have aided and abetted fascist attempts to intimidate and terrorize antifascists by bigging-up every pathetic neo-Nazi gang they can find or invent.

There is a difference between letting people know about fascist groups and arguing for confrontational tactics in comaparison to scaremongering, though I'm sure you'll argue otherwise.