Rallying against fascism tomorrow
This is the face of the English Defence League...
...a ragtag assortment of far-right and fascist activists, with a strong anti-Muslim focus. Members of the British National Party and other neo-fascist groups form its core, and they actively recruit from extreme elements of the football supporters spectrum (you're probably aware what a violent reputation English football fans had back in the Eighties). Ironically, the BNP, conscious that such extremists will damage the reputation of the far-right, are claiming the EDL are being controlled by Jews. If that wasn't so pathetic it would almost be amusing.
When they rallied in Birmingham a few weeks ago, Muslim businesses and cars were attacked, and Muslim graves were desecrated. They intimidated passers-by with their Nazi salutes and shouts of 'Sieg Heil'.
The leaders of the EDL freely admit that what binds their supporters together is a willingness to fight "That's why it's all lads. Your upper class people won't stand there and get attacked, through fear. I am from the mentality that I am not going to back down."
Well, maybe I'm only middle-class, but when they rally in Manchester tomorrow, I'll be there with the Unite Against Fascism movement and Hope not Hate (of which I'm a member). We're going to show these fascist fucks they do not get to rally in Manchester without opposition, and we're staging a counter-rally in the same location at the same time. I am not going to sit at home while this scum parade their filth in my favourite city.
And, because they recruit from football fans, I'll be wearing my Manchester City shirt and showing them exactly how much many fans despise everything they stand for.
During the American Civil War, when the ports of Liverpool and Bristol were getting fat on the trade with the confederacy, Manchester mill workers struck and starved rather than handle slave cotton. That's what is so special about this place, and racists do not get to think they can demonstrate there without opposition.
I really hope there is no violence and that it is all well policed. But the EDL's previous rallies don't give me a great deal of hope. We shall see. Time to stand up and be counted, don't you think?
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I had an interview today too, so I'm a bit wired still. I hate phone interviews and, although I come across well, I knew beforehand I didn't have the right skill set. Plus, they wanted me to spend Monday to Friday in Dublin!!! Not for me...I couldn't stand being away from my daughter. I always go a bit doolally if I'm stuck in hotels for too long. I never say no, though. He says he may ring again next week, although they'll be pretty desperate if they haven't found anyone with full Project Management qualifications by then! But I've been able to forward the details onto a friend who is returning from maternity leave and who lives in Ireland. It might be what she needs when she gets back in the workplace.
Anyway, harvest festival at the school went well today, and my girl spoke her lines beautifully. We dropped in our donation - I know the fresh produce always looks picturesque, but frankly, for a homeless project, a few large tins of soup always seems more practical. And why did they need to change the tune for All Things Bright and Beautiful?!?
Add to that taking my girl to see UP at the cinema tonight, and over to my parents in Lancashire for a relaxing Sunday dinner - I think I'll need it after all this excitement!
Lots of love to everyone
L x
This is the face of the English Defence League...
...a ragtag assortment of far-right and fascist activists, with a strong anti-Muslim focus. Members of the British National Party and other neo-fascist groups form its core, and they actively recruit from extreme elements of the football supporters spectrum (you're probably aware what a violent reputation English football fans had back in the Eighties). Ironically, the BNP, conscious that such extremists will damage the reputation of the far-right, are claiming the EDL are being controlled by Jews. If that wasn't so pathetic it would almost be amusing.
When they rallied in Birmingham a few weeks ago, Muslim businesses and cars were attacked, and Muslim graves were desecrated. They intimidated passers-by with their Nazi salutes and shouts of 'Sieg Heil'.
The leaders of the EDL freely admit that what binds their supporters together is a willingness to fight "That's why it's all lads. Your upper class people won't stand there and get attacked, through fear. I am from the mentality that I am not going to back down."
Well, maybe I'm only middle-class, but when they rally in Manchester tomorrow, I'll be there with the Unite Against Fascism movement and Hope not Hate (of which I'm a member). We're going to show these fascist fucks they do not get to rally in Manchester without opposition, and we're staging a counter-rally in the same location at the same time. I am not going to sit at home while this scum parade their filth in my favourite city.
And, because they recruit from football fans, I'll be wearing my Manchester City shirt and showing them exactly how much many fans despise everything they stand for.
During the American Civil War, when the ports of Liverpool and Bristol were getting fat on the trade with the confederacy, Manchester mill workers struck and starved rather than handle slave cotton. That's what is so special about this place, and racists do not get to think they can demonstrate there without opposition.
I really hope there is no violence and that it is all well policed. But the EDL's previous rallies don't give me a great deal of hope. We shall see. Time to stand up and be counted, don't you think?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had an interview today too, so I'm a bit wired still. I hate phone interviews and, although I come across well, I knew beforehand I didn't have the right skill set. Plus, they wanted me to spend Monday to Friday in Dublin!!! Not for me...I couldn't stand being away from my daughter. I always go a bit doolally if I'm stuck in hotels for too long. I never say no, though. He says he may ring again next week, although they'll be pretty desperate if they haven't found anyone with full Project Management qualifications by then! But I've been able to forward the details onto a friend who is returning from maternity leave and who lives in Ireland. It might be what she needs when she gets back in the workplace.
Anyway, harvest festival at the school went well today, and my girl spoke her lines beautifully. We dropped in our donation - I know the fresh produce always looks picturesque, but frankly, for a homeless project, a few large tins of soup always seems more practical. And why did they need to change the tune for All Things Bright and Beautiful?!?
Add to that taking my girl to see UP at the cinema tonight, and over to my parents in Lancashire for a relaxing Sunday dinner - I think I'll need it after all this excitement!
Lots of love to everyone
L x
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Give those fascists Hell for me.
Albert Einstein
That's the second time I've used that qoute today. I consider ignorance, racism and hooliganism to be particularly virulent forms of stupidity. Good luck fighting against it.