1:13pm Friday 18th September 2009
September 11 will now be remembered as the day the people of Harrow prevented the fascists and Nazis, from marching.
It is the day that Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Christians, men, women, gays, trade unionists, old and young, all stood together in the street and asserted that “they shall not pass”. Nor did they.
In defending the mosque, we defended all the synagogues, temples and churches from the threat of racist attacks.
In preventing the fascists and racists from being able to hold their provocative “static demonstration”, we the people of Harrow stood together in the best traditions of the anti-fascist movement and asserted that “they shall not pass”. Nor did they.
Speakers at the rally included: Weyman Bennet and Lee Jasper from Unite Against Fascism, a speaker from Harrow Mosque, the leaders of the Labour and the Conservative groups on Harrow Council, Tony McNulty MP; the UNITE convenor from the local bus garage, the National Union of Teachers and the local Green Party.
Messages of support were received from Ken Livingstone, Councillor Navin Shah, and the bishop of Willesden. All reiterated the message that Harrow is, and will remain, a united multicultural, multiracial and multireligious community. We, the people, will not allow the racists to run amok in our town to threaten, insult and attack us.
A motley crew of, at most, 20 racists and fascists attempted to march from the Harrow and Wealdstone station end. But hardly had they got in sight of the mosque before they were chased off by the youth, who were then taken into protective custody by the police and driven away in a prison van. So embarrassed were the “English Defence League” by the pathetic turnout that they claimed to have called off their “rally” beforehand. More than 2,000 anti-fascists held the streets and defended the mosque. The promise of police protection was not needed, nor did it appear. Instead the riot squad were out in their normal provocative manner, with shields and batons ready. From 1.30pm to 8pm, the streets were peaceful, with unity, chanting and speeches.
There was much discussion as to whether the streets should be occupied by the anti-fascists, or whether traffic should be allowed to flow freely. Quite clearly the argument was understood by the vast majority that it was our street, and not for the fascists and racists to be allowed to march on.
The Brent and Harrow Unite Against Fascism group was formed six weeks ago, when we first noticed the threat from the EDL. Since then, we tirelessly handed out leaflets, held regular street stalls and contacted as many local groups as possible. Thousands of leaflets and posters were issued, with hundreds of names collected for a petition showing support for the mosque. A delegation then handed in this petition of support to the mosque committee on Friday to show the community is one.
In Luton the EDL ran riot; in Birmingham they were sent packing; in Harrow they were chased away with a clear message, not welcome. Now the BBC plans to allow Nick Griffin to take part in Question Time on TV on the grounds that the BNP is a legitimate political party.
We should not allow them to peddle their racist filth and incite attacks on people because of their skin colour or their religion. The BBC should reverse the decision.
The victory of the anti-fascist, anti-racist movement in Harrow now requires that the left, trade unionists, socialists and youth groups all come together to pursue an electoral arrangement to ensure that, as a matter of urgency, we defeat the BNP and other fascist organisations.
Alf Filer, Brent and Harrow Unite Against Facism
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