How do i start an antifa group?

[Dr Mindbender]

I've posted this on several left political fora now, and i have emailed local political parties that i thought might be sympathetic but sadly either no-one can help or I'm not being taken seriously. The situation is I live in a fairly large, surburbia town and the national fascist outfit (the BNP) are threatening to stand candidates. The local populace is predominantly middle class, affluent conservative whites and as there is no credible left wing or antifa prescence here the BNP stand a very realistic chance of doing well in elections. The working class politics here are dominated by the local paramilitaries (very anti-worker, UK-centric assholes basically)

Help me, comrades, time is of the essence.

[Forward Union]

You can't, really. It's not very easy.

I hate when people ask to join Antifa, I want them to but it's a bit like trying to get a square peg in a round hole.

Unlike in Europe, Antifa UK is an actual organisation. Not a banner anyone can act under. It's fairly un-receptive to outsiders wanting to join. And people calling themselves antifa and doing stuff in antifas name isn't really appropriate.

They are opposed to all work with political parties and are strictly anti-state. Contact them about your situation or just organise autonomously.

[Dr Mindbender]

what am i supposed to do then? Sit back and watch while the BNP take seats on my local council?

Im not an anarchist so I'm not opposed to recieving solidarity from the reformist parties, at least where it suits my political ends.

I dont think there are any existing anti-fascist groups anywhere near me. At least not for a 100 mile radius. They are all concentrated in the ROI.

[Forward Union]

I propose you contact the Workers Solidarity movement.
http://www.wsm.ie/


and perhaps the Irish Anarchist Federation...

http://flag.blackened.net/af/ireland/

[Dr Mindbender]

hmm, interesting the Irish anarchists have a correspondance address not too far from me. Could be a starting point...

[jacobin1949]

If the threat of the BNP actually winning is that great you may want to join a local moderate Socialist or Social Democrat club and see if they are interested in taking any action.

[Colonello Buendia]

I think you should try and and spread the truth about the BNP don't tell them to vote leftist but tell the people that the BNP are racists and nazis etc, the BNP is more of a working class movement so middle class people might be interested in what you have to say

[Coggeh]

I've posted this on several left political fora now, and i have emailed local political parties that i thought might be sympathetic but sadly either no-one can help or I'm not being taken seriously. The situation is I live in a fairly large, surburbia town and the national fascist outfit (the BNP) are threatening to stand candidates. The local populace is predominantly middle class, affluent conservative whites and as there is no credible left wing or antifa prescence here the BNP stand a very realistic chance of doing well in elections. The working class politics here are dominated by the local paramilitaries (very anti-worker, UK-centric assholes basically)

Help me, comrades, time is of the essence.
I don't think Antifa is the best response to the BNP, it doesn't educate the masses of the truth behind their fascist asses , its not very productive and may be seen as counter productive to the socialist movement in the north , with them labelling all leftists youthful thugs , as you said their is a conservative natured middle class their , don't be a catalyst for them to establish a voter base within already viable class .

Organize within any of the democratic movements which suit you best which will obviously be anti-fascist and see what their plan of action is as wat tyler already pointed out .

[INDK]

I don't think Antifa is the best response to the BNP, it doesn't educate the masses of the truth behind their fascist asses , its not very productive and may be seen as counter productive to the socialist movement in the north , with them labelling all leftists youthful thugs , as you said their is a conservative natured middle class their , don't be a catalyst for them to establish a voter base within already viable class .

You don't really know the nature of AntiFa then. They're a group that which is centered around militancy, this is true - the main plan of action is to keep Fascists from organizing and functioning, and we have all realized that just as with revolution the best way to fight those of the bourgeois reaction is with the application of force. But you can't act like there isn't a campaign behind it - there's been many a pamphlet passed and many a Fash exposed. It is as much a political organization as it is a bunch of militants.

[jaffe]

Antifa is a word 'hijacked' or used by mostly anarchist/autonomes. Most antifas you will meet in western Europe are anarchists. For example the Polish Antifa made these rules of engagement.





ANTIFA WILDEAST Rules of Engagement:
- fighting fascism under any disguise and in every part of life: point that is sef-explanatory. Doesn't matter if they are nazi skinheads, "elite" from blood&honour, Polish fascists such as NOP or ONR, pagan shitheads from Niklot or other kind of right wing, homophobic and racist scum they are all our enemy and a target.
- against any sort of discrimination: while fighting groups representing those ideas, discrimination should be also confronted in our own circles.
- ideological and physical confrontation: it means fighting on two levels. Fascists can never win control over streets, thats why physical confrontation is inevitable and neccessary, but its a mistake to concentrate only on this, forgetting about ideological struggle. Fascisms breeds often where no body gave better alternatives for the people and thats why they turned towards far right ideology. Countering their propaganda is as important as physical struggle.
- ABSOLUTELY NO CO-OPERATION police and secret services: this institutions are always our enemy and we cannot be fooled when they are arresting nazis, because next day it can be us. 100% ACAB!
- No co-operation with political parties: for them anti-fascism is only a fashionable slogan, bandwagon on which they can jump to get more influence. When shit hits the fan, they are nowhere around.
- Authoritarian left is not an ally: all sorts of Lenin followers, communists and pro-state socialists never were and never will be on our side. For them anti-fascism is a disguise in struggle for power and from the history we can learn how communist's allies end up when they are no longer needed.
- no activity of fascists can stay without reaction: you will leave them once, they will keep coming... - every group acts in full autonomy, without structures from above: there is no central committee, every antifa group acts as it sees fit, following only general rules.
- defense of our own people from the repression: militant anti-fascism is not a joke. Lots of our activities might break the law and you should bear in mind legal consequences. Every person taking part in actions must know, that it has all sorts of help and unconditional solidarity guaranteed.
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