07/08/2024
I'll definitely be at the 7pm community protest tonight to defend the Immigration Bureau on Hoe Street.
The council and the police always say people should stay away. But it’s really wrong-headed. Obviously people have to do what they feel comfortable with but certainly the experience of the anti-racist and anti-fascist movement is that it is far better for all of us - particularly those being targeted - to protest publicly. Otherwise communities being targeted are left isolated - without visible solidarity. Whilst this is being presented as a ‘disorder’ issue, it’s about trying to intimidate diverse communities. Unified community protests send a very strong message that we will not allow fascists to intimidate or denigrate our diversity.
When the EDL marched on Walthamstow in 2012 targeting the Muslim community we organised a peaceful march bringing together everyone. It was very successful, isolated the EDL and showed how much support there was for diversity.
The more people who come out and defend the immigration bureau, the more likely it is to be peaceful because the police will be far more respectful of our community. And fascists will not be allowed to go on the rampage.
I’m sharing this short documentary we made about the 2012 protest so you can hear what people said about it.
This fascinating little documentary captures the twists and turns of how local residents defeated the fascist English Defence League in East London ten years...
