Beating the Fascists: The authorised history of Anti-Fascist Action

[DaveCinzano]

Carry on kicking fascists?

May I respectfully suggest that you don't take musical theatre as your Mastermind specialist subject?

 

[malatesta32]

seig-heil follies? the jizz flingers? the kane & I? etc ...

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

you could do one on the CxF

Seven thousand spelling mistakes for seven walts

 

[Citizen66]

Barfight Express.

 

[Joe Reilly]

Below is the review of Beating The Fascists that appears in the latest issue of AFA Ireland's magazine No Quarter.

Sean Birchall, Beating the Fascists: the Untold Story of Anti-Fascist Action

(Freedom Press). £15.



AFA was regularly denounced by liberals, ignored by the left, harassed by the state and obviously hated by the fascists. This encouraged a siege-mentality, which was well expressed in Red Action’s adoption of the old Millwall slogan ‘No one likes us, we don’t care.’ The only problem with this is that sometimes people may not like you for good reasons. One of the problems with the book is that those who disagree with AFA are usually derided for cowardice, or being engaged in some nefarious activity. But it cannot be coincidental that so many activists eventually found Red Action, in particular, hard to work with.

Missed this for time round but it needs to be tackled before in hardens into urban myth, and I don't mean on here. This is the notion, soon to be paraded elsewhere I suspect, that eventually AFA faded away, and this was due in part to RA's beligerent approach. No basis in fact.

AFA was still growing when the BNP jacked. In fact that AFA was still visibly growing particularly in places like the West Midlands (the last area to be organised following relaunch in '89) the whiteman's redoubt, was the key reason the BNP swerved away from street confrontation. Accordingly the lazy allegation that 'so many activists eventually found RA in particular hard to work with', is once again found to be without foundation.

As for the claim that those who AFA disagreed being derided as cowards and knaves and so on rather implies without quiet saying it that the these unfortunates were falsely labelled. But no evidence is presented to back this insinuation up. So why does the unnamed reviewer for AFA Ireland present it as 'a problem'?

Subliminally, perhaps readers are meant to draw that conclusion that the most celebrated example of nefarious activity mentioned in BTF was also a result of some prior political falling out. Instead the falling out was as a consequence of the aforementioned 'nefarious activity'. This dosen't stop Louise Purbeck in the foreword to her book brazenly stating that the hostility to 'No Retreat' can be put down purely to 'sectarianism', the inference being that Hann was in fact representative of a rival political tendency in order to explain away his untimely departure from the organisation of which it is again implied he was 'a/the leading light' or alternatively 'founding member'.

And even when the on line RA archives now prove conclusively that he hadn't even joined RA as a supporting which is to say prospective member (no voting rights) until sometime in 1987, Purbeck seems to want to extend his CV considerably, to not only playing a key role in the founding of AFA two years earlier, but also, perhaps carelessly, allowing the inference to be drawn that, Hann, along with Tlizsy, had also been active in the ANL squads an additional five years hence.

With the recent boast of No Retreat being translated into a number of languages and a second revisionist effort on the way, not to mention the mooted Tilzey movie or the upcoming Gable memoir, to still claim that it all amounts to little more than a 'personal spat' does begin to look complacent at best.

What in fact we are witnessing here is a determined re-writing of history and recent history at that.

 

[Citizen66]

History is written by the victors. And their comrades.

 

[Pickman's model]

Missed this for time round but it needs to be tackled before in hardens into urban myth, and I don't mean on here. This is the notion, soon to be paraded elsewhere I suspect, that eventually AFA faded away, and this was due in part to RA's beligerent approach. No basis in fact.

AFA was still growing when the BNP jacked. In fact that AFA was still visibly growing particularly in places like the West Midlands (the last area to be organised following relaunch in '89) the whiteman's redoubt, was the key reason the BNP swerved away from street confrontation. Accordingly the lazy allegation that 'so many activists eventually found RA in particular hard to work with', is once again found to be without foundation.

As for the claim that those who AFA disagreed being derided as cowards and knaves and so on rather implies without quiet saying it that the these unfortunates were falsely labelled. But no evidence is presented to back this insinuation up. So why does the unnamed reviewer for AFA Ireland present it as 'a problem'?

Subliminally, perhaps readers are meant to draw that conclusion that the most celebrated example of nefarious activity mentioned in BTF was also a result of some prior political falling out. Instead the falling out was as a consequence of the aforementioned 'nefarious activity'. This dosen't stop Louise Purbeck in the foreword to her book brazenly stating that the hostility to 'No Retreat' can be put down purely to 'sectarianism', the inference being that Hann was in fact representative of a rival political tendency in order to explain away his untimely departure from the organisation of which it is again implied he was 'a/the leading light' or alternatively 'founding member'.

And even when the on line RA archives now prove conclusively that he hadn't even joined RA as a supporting which is to say prospective member (no voting rights) until sometime in 1987, Purbeck seems to want to extend his CV considerably, to not only playing a key role in the founding of AFA two years earlier, but also, perhaps carelessly, allowing the inference to be drawn that, Hann, along with Tlizsy, had also been active in the ANL squads an additional five years hence.

With the recent boast of No Retreat being translated into a number of languages and a second revisionist effort on the way, not to mention the mooted Tilzey movie or the upcoming Gable memoir, to still claim that it all amounts to little more than a 'personal spat' does begin to look complacent at best.

What in fact we are witnessing here is a determined re-writing of history and recent history at that.

Joe, if it's any comfort barbara cartland's books have been translated into a range of languages but this hasn't made them more accurate or reduced their fictional element. The same, I suggest, with nr.

 

[Citizen66]

Joe, if it's any comfort barbara cartland's books have been translated into a range of languages but this hasn't made them more accurate or reduced their fictional element. The same, I suggest, with nr.

The lane ends with two doors. One door leads to fallacies and the other leads to truth. Both doors will answer your questions. One door lies and the other tells the truth. Which door is lying?

Muppet.

 

[Pickman's model]

The lane ends with two doors. One door leads to fallacies and the other leads to truth. Both doors will answer your questions. One door lies and the other tells the truth. Which door is lying?

Muppet.

doors don't talk. pls in future make your hypotheticals at least vaguely credible.

muppet.

 

[LiamO]

shaaat it yew slaaaaaags... handbags must include bignose on this thread - by order!

 

[Pickman's model]

shaaat it yew slaaaaaags... handbags must include bignose on this thread - by order!

he'll be along shortly no doubt

 

[Pickman's model]

*taps watch*

 

[Citizen66]

doors don't talk. pls in future make your hypotheticals at least vaguely credible.

muppet.

I'm fairly certain they had a few hits.

 

[bignose1]

Missed this for time round but it needs to be tackled before in hardens into urban myth, and I don't mean on here. This is the notion, soon to be paraded elsewhere I suspect, that eventually AFA faded away, and this was due in part to RA's beligerent approach. No basis in fact.

AFA was still growing when the BNP jacked. In fact that AFA was still visibly growing particularly in places like the West Midlands (the last area to be organised following relaunch in '89) the whiteman's redoubt, was the key reason the BNP swerved away from street confrontation. Accordingly the lazy allegation that 'so many activists eventually found RA in particular hard to work with', is once again found to be without foundation.

As for the claim that those who AFA disagreed being derided as cowards and knaves and so on rather implies without quiet saying it that the these unfortunates were falsely labelled. But no evidence is presented to back this insinuation up. So why does the unnamed reviewer for AFA Ireland present it as 'a problem'?

Subliminally, perhaps readers are meant to draw that conclusion that the most celebrated example of nefarious activity mentioned in BTF was also a result of some prior political falling out. Instead the falling out was as a consequence of the aforementioned 'nefarious activity'. This dosen't stop Louise Purbeck in the foreword to her book brazenly stating that the hostility to 'No Retreat' can be put down purely to 'sectarianism', the inference being that Hann was in fact representative of a rival political tendency in order to explain away his untimely departure from the organisation of which it is again implied he was 'a/the leading light' or alternatively 'founding member'.

And even when the on line RA archives now prove conclusively that he hadn't even joined RA as a supporting which is to say prospective member (no voting rights) until sometime in 1987, Purbeck seems to want to extend his CV considerably, to not only playing a key role in the founding of AFA two years earlier, but also, perhaps carelessly, allowing the inference to be drawn that, Hann, along with Tlizsy, had also been active in the ANL squads an additional five years hence.

With the recent boast of No Retreat being translated into a number of languages and a second revisionist effort on the way, not to mention the mooted Tilzey movie or the upcoming Gable memoir, to still claim that it all amounts to little more than a 'personal spat' does begin to look complacent at best.

What in fact we are witnessing here is a determined re-writing of history and recent history at that.

At least get my name right....Ill talk about me. Please tell me how I extended my my CV. ANL squads? Come on fellah thats sloppy research. If my CV is up for scrutiny then give me a time line. I await your findings. Set it out neatly now. Then you all do the same. List it in both Anti Fascist involvement and general political activity so the pissing contest can really get into full swing. Why is everybodys version except yours a bag of revisionist shite ...that just goes to show the chauvanistic attitude you have.

The film project has hit a bit of a wall...due to confidentiality issues I cant say more on that, the translations however are on the go. All unauthorised/bootleg with my full blessing....they asked out of courtesy and with any profits going to militant anti facsists in those countries. The Polish edition is likely to come out first...the German sometime shortly after. Why would experienced international anti fascists touch it with the proverbial shitty stick. They havnt been hoodwinked or anything...these are serious people who dont ponce about dressed in black. They would take offence to being labelled as naive or duped as you no doubt will say.

Just accept that you dont own antifacsism as much as HnH/Searchlight/or who the fuck else doesnt. You just cant handle that someone else has the audacity to put their stories into the arena...thats says more about damaged ego's than it does anything else. And for the doubters or those who are too lazy to research properly heres the Serbian edition.

 

[bignose1]

Joe, if it's any comfort barbara cartland's books have been translated into a range of languages but this hasn't made them more accurate or reduced their fictional element. The same, I suggest, with nr.

Have you not finished on his cock yet...

 

[Pickman's model]

Have you not finished on his cock yet...

it's this sort of response which persuades me that nr is perhaps not entirely factually accurate.

 

[bignose1]

it's this sort of response which persuades me that nr is perhaps not entirely factually accurate.

But honestly what do you expect.....you line up with these characters...slag me off as a fantasist....and by inference my 35+ commtittment to anti fascsim and the 'movement' You dont give me any option. Your ill/un/informed views will not change whether I give you a polished up and prosaic fuck off or cut the chase and be more industrial. Thats me. My fishing mates get the same.

 

[Pickman's model]

But honestly what do you expect.....you line up with these characters...slag me off as a fantasist....and by inference my 35+ commtittment to anti fascsim and the 'movement' You dont give me any option. Your ill/un/informed views will not change whether I give you a polished up and prosaic fuck off or cut the chase and be more industrial. Thats me. My fishing mates get the same.

can you vouch for the veracity of every statement in the book?

 

[TopCat]

But honestly what do you expect.....you line up with these characters...slag me off as a fantasist....and by inference my 35+ commtittment to anti fascsim and the 'movement' You dont give me any option. Your ill/un/informed views will not change whether I give you a polished up and prosaic fuck off or cut the chase and be more industrial. Thats me. My fishing mates get the same.

No one here expects much of you. You are just trying to re write history and use a mixture of abuse, lies, obscuring the facts and personal attacks to hide your obvious shame. Lets not forget, you are Gables man and worked serving his agenda.

 

[bignose1]

No one here expects much of you. You are just trying to re write history and use a mixture of abuse, lies, obscuring the facts and personal attacks to hide your obvious shame. Lets not forget, you are Gables man and worked serving his agenda.

Oh really. And you...paragon of virtue whoever the fuck you are can pass judgement on me. GTF. OShea's and his sycophants attacks arn't personal. My shame...what the fuck are you on about. Youve just done what your accusing me of you idiot. Im Gables man...shows the utter backwardness of you and your ilk. This post matey shows just what you and your allies are really like. deluded bitter and unable to accept the deep seated bitterness you hold for people who got in your way. Keep it up.

 

[bignose1]

can you vouch for the veracity of every statement in the book?

I dont have to vouch fuck all to you pal. What a fucking nerve.

 

[bignose1]

Ok Pickmans Model. Name and full political CV.
Top Cat Name and full political CV.
Otherwise keep stum about what other cunts get up to...

...Its called earning that right...!

 

[Pickman's model]

I dont have to vouch fuck all to you pal. What a fucking nerve.

in that case i think i'm perfectly entitled to consider the book to be at least partially fictional. you've marketed it as true, so your refusal to confirm that's the case doesn't really show you in a good light.

 

[Pickman's model]

Ok Pickmans Model. Name and full political CV.
Top Cat Name and full political CV.
Otherwise keep stum about what other cunts get up to...

...Its called earning that right...!

if you're on about full political cvs you can start with yours given that nr doesn't cover a thirty-five year period.

 

[bignose1]

in that case i think i'm perfectly entitled to consider the book to be at least partially fictional. you've marketed it as true, so your refusal to confirm that's the case doesn't really show you in a good light.

You dont get it...you are the only ones hassling me. A meagre handful at that. You refuse to name yourself and what your achievements are but expect me to. To me thats not only arrogant and downright pathetic but dishonest. You will either have to put yourself on offer or fuck off.Youre so interested in me its akin to stalking(yes gary it appears I have one too) Well lets turn it round and you start telling me what youve done thats so remarkably stunning. Ill still be able to cunt you off if I dont believe you but hey Ill give you a chance fellah.

 

[bignose1]

For those who cant add up. Im 55 next month. I got involved in 1977 as a 20 y.o. Fucking basic math my friend.

 

[Pickman's model]

You dont get it...you are the only ones hassling me. A meagre handful at that. You refuse to name yourself and what your achievements are but expect me to. To me thats not only arrogant and downright pathetic but dishonest. You will either have to put yourself on offer or fuck off.Youre so interested in me its akin to stalking(yes gary it appears I have one too) Well lets turn it round and you start telling me what youve done thats so remarkably stunning. Ill still be able to cunt you off if I dont believe you but hey Ill give you a chance fellah.

i have told you what i've done. you've got the fucking memory of a goldfish.

 

[Pickman's model]

But honestly what do you expect.....you line up with these characters...slag me off as a fantasist....and by inference my 35+ commtittment to anti fascsim and the 'movement' You dont give me any option. Your ill/un/informed views will not change whether I give you a polished up and prosaic fuck off or cut the chase and be more industrial. Thats me. My fishing mates get the same.

For those who cant add up. Im 55 next month. I got involved in 1977 as a 20 y.o. Fucking basic math my friend.

 

[bignose1]

Is any of BTF fictional??...What proof have you there arnt a few porkies?? Their word for it.Nuff said

 

[The39thStep]

i have told you what i've done. you've got the fucking memory of a goldfish.

is there enough for a book?