Unite Against Fascism?
Jun 09
So I was just watching the news and newsnight following the incident where the BNP’s press conference was broken up by the Unite Against Fascism group – a gang of 50 people turned up shouting, hitting them with placards and throwing eggs. Then you get some really stupid spokesman on newsnight saying how the BNP have no right to be heard – with really weak arguments.
Now, I should say that I have never voted for the BNP or supported their policies – but about 1,000,000 British people said they do… that alone gives them a right to be heard – it’s called FREE SPEECH, and DEMOCRACY.
That’s my first reason for not supporting UAF. The second reason is that the methods they employ are the same methods used by Fascists throughout history… intimidation, silencing free speech, negative propaganda… it’s just a huge irony and hypocricy that you can think it right to use Fascist methods against Fascists!
Here’s my third reason… UAF are stupid… Nick Griffin’s press conference probably wouldn’t have made it to the main news tonight, but the actions of UAF get them to the headlines, more airtime, and an opportunity to promote his policies and attack Labour and the Conservatives!
The BNP need to be defeated through free speech, honest debate, and the Government and opposition to step up and actually deal with the real problems affecting real people throughout the UK!
I was thinking something similar. Our SU recently tried to pass a motion denying student societies the right to invite speakers from the BNP (and other similar groups) to speak. Who decides on what issues we should restrict free speech, and on what authority? Where will an eroding of the right to free speech lead? Big issues.
As you say, the BNP need to be defeated through honest debate, challenging their views, and solving the problems that have driven people to vote for them. Those at our SU AGM saw the need to keep free speech; unfortunately, those at the student council meeting refused to pass the pro-free-speech motion, due to not meeting quorum at the AGM.
Maybe it’s just in student political circles, but there appears to be an assumed morality that denies those outside its constraints the right to hold their views, or at least speak them. Currently it’s manifesting itself in anti-fascist actions; how long before Christian beliefs in the uniqueness of Christ, the reality of hell and the need for repentance elicit their active opposition, and we find our freedom to speak attacked?
Had the same thing at Sussex, surprise surprise…