Unite Against Fascism (UAF) Edinburgh calls for support to stop the Scottish Defence League marching in Edinburgh on 10th September 2011.By uniting against the SDL we prevented them marching or congregating in Edinburgh before, we must do the same again.
Edinburgh Unity Statement: We the undersigned strongly oppose plans by the Scottish Defence League (SDL) the Scottish arm of the racist English Defence League (EDL) to march in Edinburgh on 10 September 2011. The EDL was a group admired by the Norwegian far right terrorist Anders Breivik.As well as attending a number of EDL events, meeting EDL leaders etc. Breivik openly expressed his wish to start a racial war and praised the EDL’s strategy and tactics. The latest rally by the SDL in Irvine on 30 July 2011 saw members hold placards aimed at stirring up hatred against Islam and sporting Blood and Honour (Nazi) tattoos. Islamophobia – bigotry against Muslims – is as unacceptable as any other form of racism. It divides and weakens our society by making scapegoats of one community, just as Hitler’s Nazis did by targeting Jews in the 1930s. Today the SDL threatens Muslims; tomorrow it could be Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, black people, lesbians & gay men, travellers or Eastern Europeans. There is no place for racists or fascists in Edinburgh’s multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious community. That is why we stand in solidarity with Edinburgh’s Muslim community and against the poisonous bigotry of the SDL.
Email: uafedinburgh@riseup.net if you would like to add your name to this Unity Statement!
Find out more:
Update message from UAF Edinburgh:
Due to the flood of complaints made to the council last Friday Edinburgh
Council banned the Scottish Defence League from marching in Edinburgh. However
the SDL still intend to come to Edinburgh on 10 September to hold a “static
protest”.
We must organise against them and there will be a Public Meeting to launch
“Edinburgh United Against Racism” this Thursday:
7pm Thursday 25 August
Lecture Theatre 175
Edinburgh University Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
For a map go to: http://bit.ly/rdvWsB
Please make every effort to come and bring as many friends as possible as we
will outline details of the counter protest. Speakers include Martin Smith (National Secretary Love Music Hate Racism), Aamer Anwar (Human Rights Lawyer).
The situation is likely to change further over the next couple of weeks so for
the most up to date information please sign up to our Facebook page
“Edinburgh-Against-the-Racist-SDL”
Recent Press Coverage
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/City-hailed-for-blocking-bid.6822034.jp
http://www.scotsman.com/news/Spectre-of-Breivik-inflames-farright.6821219.jp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-14591243
http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh-north/news/22909-council-to-decide-whether-far-right-group-march-through-edinburgh/
Remember the Nazis.
Stop these Fascisct Bastards whatever it takes.
All people are equal.
Calling everyone to join the Rally against the SDL gathering in Edinburgh on 10th Sept!
There will be free transport from Glasgow to Edinburgh: More info available here: http://on.fb.me/oY3ujt
UPDATE from UAF Edinburgh:
“They shall not pass” was a slogan from the fight against fascism in Spain
during the 1930’s, however it has come right up to date with our plans to
stop organised racists and fascists from coming to Edinburgh City Centre on 10
September.
Despite being banned and unwanted by the people of Edinburgh, we know that the
Scottish and English Defence Leagues are still organising on a large scale to
come here. We urgently need you to join the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) protest
to make it as big as possible.
We will rally at The Mound, 11 am this Saturday, 10 September (speakers below).
We have route agreed with the police and the council and we will march along
Princes Street to a secondary rally area beside the Wellington Statue within
sight of the SDL on Regent Rd. We need everyone, bring family and friends, to
demonstrate that the majority of people reject their message of race hate and
to say “they shall not pass” into the city centre of Edinburgh.
Please consider bringing your own placards.
Speakers include:
Dave Moxham – STUC, Colin Keir MSP, Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Robin Parker
-President NUS Scotland , Graham Smith – Unison NEC, Councillor Gordon Munro –
Leith Ward, Simon Assaf – UAF National office
Also supported by Edinburgh Trade Union Council & Edinburgh Council Unison.
Leaflets for the day (two sided) can be downloaded from
http://tinyurl.com/3h6u4mh
http://tinyurl.com/3ktw375
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Edinburgh-Against-the-Racist-SDL/243430722357693