East London rally against racism
Lively and loud with two bands on it, the Anti Nazi League march got a generally friendly response as it went through the streets of East London to the carnival.
It was smaller than I had expected - perhaps because the ANL has been in "cold storage" for some years, eclipsed by the dignitary-stuffed Unite Against Fascism. But it was certainly worthwhile.
The turnout was an odd assortment. The SWP was there in reasonable but not full force. No other left group came except AWL.
London Citizens were there in numbers, with t-shirts, placards... and a large Union Jack! I asked the young Afro-Caribbean man carrying the Union Jack why he had brought it. "I don't know. Our manager gave it to me". But the Union Jack is the symbol of the British Empire and its racist history. "Oh well, I suppose it's a case of when in Rome, do as the Romans do"..
Two national unions were there with banners and small contingents, the Musicians' Union and NASUWT (fresh from strike-breaking on Thursday). The South East Region TUC and other union banners were there, too.
Lots of young people (though quite a few of them in London Citizens t-shirts). At Victoria Park, though less so on the march, more New Labour campaigners than I've seen in one place for some time now, with "Vote Ken" t-shirts. George Galloway's open-topped bus (which seems to represent the sum-total of his "Respect Renewal" campaign for the London Assembly) driving past.
I sold 24 copies of Solidarity before going off to other activity when the march reached Victoria Park: not bad for a small demonstration.
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a curious article
I wasn't there but several PR members were, at the carnival that is- as there were some 60 000 plus people there perhaps Martin didn't get to see everyone!
London Citizens are problematic- not only their use of the union jack but through their Stangers Into Citizens a position on amnesty for some coupled with stronger border controls for capitalism. They are not the sort of movement we seek to build- a Black and white united antiracist movement against all racism and for the rights of all migrants.
However, in the absence of such militant mass movements it's not surprising some drift into the citizens campaign- many if not all are probably entirely progressive and could be won to a mass movement.
I think there is real potential to build such a mass movement. Perhaps, Martin can suggest what practical steps we should take towards such a movement but I'd start with 10 militant demos against the BNP 2) promoting mass carnivals against the BNP and all racism 3) supporting and connecting different anti-deportation campaigns
demo tonight at city hall 6 p.m.
details can be found on Permanent Revolution