Thousands show their hatred for racism

Love Music Hate Racism demonstration 2008, ISR contingent, photo Paul Mattsson

On Saturday 21 June several thousand people marched against the far-right, racist British National Party (BNP) on the Love Music Hate Racism demonstration.

Kat Jayawant and Sarah Sachs-Eldridge

The march was made up of socialists, trade unionists and young people angry at the racist stance of the BNP and their recent electoral successes. It was called after the election of BNP member, Richard Barnbrook, to the Greater London Assembly.

The contingent around International Socialist Resistance (ISR) and the Socialist Party was one of the loudest groups on the demonstration. Our slogans calling for "jobs, homes and services not racism" and "to fight back and organise" against the BNP's racist lies were well received with other groups joining in.

Love Music Hate Racism demonstration 2008, ISR contingent, photo Paul Mattsson

We highlighted the need for a real political alternative and publicised the Campaign for a New Workers' Party national conference.

Several young people, new to demonstrating, were inspired by the march and impressed by the enthusiasm of the ISR contingent. Showing a serious interest in getting involved in campaigning against the BNP and on other issues, they filled in cards to join ISR and the Socialist Party.

The BNP have taken the opportunity, in the absence of a mass workers' party, to pose as an alternative to the main capitalist parties. They pose as an alternative to the parties of cuts and privatisation.

But they are no such thing. In many areas such as Stoke and Burnley their elected councillors have voted for cuts or abstained from votes.

The demonstration was a step towards building an anti-racist movement and re-starting the debate on how to counter racism and the BNP. But it is important to build on it, to oppose the BNP's racist, homophobic and sexist lies wherever they appear, to build a real political alternative and to fight for socialism.

RMT banners on the Love Music Hate Racism demonstration 2008, photo Paul Mattsson

The next event for anti-racists and socialists is the protest to stop the BNP's 'Red, White & Blue' festival in Derbyshire.

A national protest and demonstration has been called for Saturday 16 August at Codnor, Denby Lane, Derbyshire, ten minutes drive from Junction 26 of the M1. Don't let this 'festival' go unchallenged.