BNP to march from Woolwich to Lewisham Sat 1st June

[comrade spurski]

I live in aand work in woolwich and have heard there's a demo in woolwich at 12 on saturday...a static demo in general gordon square...does this mean there are two seperate protests? The woolwich one sounds like it is staying well away from the start of the scum demo.
Think uaf are involved in it.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

The BNP haven't marched in a while have they?

 

[YouSir]

Anyone going to tonight's meeting?

 

[Brainaddict]

I didn't go to the meeting but here's a fb report from someone

A good meeting tonight at Lewisham Islamic Centre. About 40 people attending and the community well represented with teachers, vicars, Imams, trade unionists, people from local synagogues, Goldsmiths students etc. The general consensus for Saturday presence against the BNP is for most of us to turn up at Woolwich Barracks Midday. It is quite possible that they will be allowed to protest no further (by the police) and will be kettled as it were. But there does also need to be a presence at the Islamic Centre where they are threatening to end up.

 

[Brainaddict]

Can't find the BNP facebook event any more. Wonder if that was a police request or due to complaints?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

transpontine has more although sounds like plans are still uncertain

suggestion is the fash plan to have a demonstration in woolwich, then travel (rather than march) to lewisham

 

[Brainaddict]

Cheers.

Too fat and unfit to march? I think so.

 

[leyton96]

I didn't go to the meeting but here's a fb report from someone

A good meeting tonight at Lewisham Islamic Centre. About 40 people attending and the community well represented with teachers, vicars, Imams, trade unionists, people from local synagogues, Goldsmiths students etc. The general consensus for Saturday presence against the BNP is for most of us to turn up at Woolwich Barracks Midday. It is quite possible that they will be allowed to protest no further (by the police) and will be kettled as it were. But there does also need to be a presence at the Islamic Centre where they are threatening to end up.

I'm guessing that quote is probably taken from a UAF/SWP member? The consensus was most certainly NOT that "most of us turn up at Woolwich Barracks midday"
First of all the anti-fash protest in Woolwich is in General Gordon Square, which is half a mile away from the barracks.

At the Lewisham meeting the SWP (wearing their UAF hats) were arguing that EVERYBODY go to the demo in General Gordon square and then jump on public transport and head across to the Islamic Centre. Coincidentally the protest in General Gordon Square is mainly being organised by UAF.
It was pointed out to UAF by local Lewisham based reps from the Socialist Party, the PCS and South London anti-Fascists that South London traffic being what it is there was no guarantee the people would reach the centre ahead of the BNP. This left open the possibility of the Centre being left undefended.
It was vital that there be a presence at the Islamic Centre before the BNP set off from Woolwich. In other words the 'general consensus' was that there should be two demo's. One in Woolwich and one to defend the Islamic Centre in Lewisham.

 

[DrRingDing]

Islamic Centre? It's a mosque.

 

[clicker]

(( greenwich market ))

Surely they'll be sent over the heath?

 

[YouSir]

Islamic Centre? It's a mosque.

It's called Lewisham Islamic Center.

Not sure about trying to cover the two protests, seems like it'll just diminish the effects of both counter demos. Plus I'm not going to Woolwich because it's shit.

 

[Pickman's model]

It's called Lewisham Islamic Center.

Not sure about trying to cover the two protests, seems like it'll just diminish the effects of both counter demos. Plus I'm not going to Woolwich because it's shit.

it's called lewisham islamic centre because it's not in america.

 

[YouSir]

it's called lewisham islamic centre because it's not in america.

Although Lewisham is the Las Vegas of London, as proven by the various Cashinos and bookies.

 

[comrade spurski]

General Gordon Square is a very easy place for the police to contain a crowd so there is no guarantee that protesters will be able to leave if the police decide to keep them there...public transport wise you can not get a DLR from woolwich to lewisham and I don't think many if any trains go to lewisham from woolwich at the weekend... this only leaves cars, which means finding parking spaces or buses and the 180 takes for ever to get from woolwich to lewisham.
It makes no sense to have a big static protest in woolwich unless it is going to be where the BNP plan to start their demo...who ever is planning the woolwich demo is in danger of making a huge fuck up...there has no been publicity in woolwich or plumstead about this demo...and the UAF website doesn't even mention the lewisham mosque...seems they are acting as sectarian as people say they are...what time are people meeting at lewisham?

 

[YouSir]

General Gordon Square is a very easy place for the police to contain a crowd so there is no guarantee that protesters will be able to leave if the police decide to keep them there...public transport wise you can not get a DLR from woolwich to lewisham and I don't think many if any trains go to lewisham from woolwich at the weekend... this only leaves cars, which means finding parking spaces or buses and the 180 takes for ever to get from woolwich to lewisham.
It makes no sense to have a big static protest in woolwich unless it is going to be where the BNP plan to start their demo...who ever is planning the woolwich demo is in danger of making a huge fuck up...there has no been publicity in woolwich or plumstead about this demo...and the UAF website doesn't even mention the lewisham mosque...seems they are acting as sectarian as people say they are...what time are people meeting at lewisham?

Facebook says 1 but also a lot of confusion there. Half suspect the BNP won't even make it to Lewisham given their optimistic travel plans.

 

[leyton96]

General Gordon Square is a very easy place for the police to contain a crowd so there is no guarantee that protesters will be able to leave if the police decide to keep them there...public transport wise you can not get a DLR from woolwich to lewisham and I don't think many if any trains go to lewisham from woolwich at the weekend... this only leaves cars, which means finding parking spaces or buses and the 180 takes for ever to get from woolwich to lewisham.
It makes no sense to have a big static protest in woolwich unless it is going to be where the BNP plan to start their demo...who ever is planning the woolwich demo is in danger of making a huge fuck up...there has no been publicity in woolwich or plumstead about this demo...and the UAF website doesn't even mention the lewisham mosque...seems they are acting as sectarian as people say they are...what time are people meeting at lewisham?

2PM outside the Islamic centre.

 

[comrade spurski]

Cheers

 

[cesare]

General Gordon Square is a very easy place for the police to contain a crowd so there is no guarantee that protesters will be able to leave if the police decide to keep them there...public transport wise you can not get a DLR from woolwich to lewisham and I don't think many if any trains go to lewisham from woolwich at the weekend... this only leaves cars, which means finding parking spaces or buses and the 180 takes for ever to get from woolwich to lewisham.
It makes no sense to have a big static protest in woolwich unless it is going to be where the BNP plan to start their demo...who ever is planning the woolwich demo is in danger of making a huge fuck up...there has no been publicity in woolwich or plumstead about this demo...and the UAF website doesn't even mention the lewisham mosque...seems they are acting as sectarian as people say they are...what time are people meeting at lewisham?

There are other buses too eg 54 but none of them are particularly quick plus they're busy cos people shop on a Sat. Plus the Woolwich residents look as though they've fairly much left it to the OB to police the EDL+others on bandwagon so far, not sure that a counter demo would be helpful. In any event, it's not a quick walk or public transport journey (this does of course form one of the bases of the argument against closure of Lewisham Hospital A&E/mat services - Queen Elizabeth's in Woolwich is not that quick of a journey) so it would make sense to concentrate on Lewisham and routes to the Islamic Centre. Bloody SWP and UAF vanguarding though, rolleyes.

 

[YouSir]

2PM outside the Islamic centre.

Facebook says they've switched to 1pm.

 

[DrRingDing]

It's called Lewisham Islamic Center.

And why do you think they call them Islamic centres rather than mosques?

 

[leyton96]

Facebook says they've switched to 1pm.

Which facebook group? 2PM was what was agreed at the meeting in the Lewisham Islamic Centre last night.

Originally Lewisham NUT had called something for 1PM at the war memorial opposite Lewisham Hospital. It's on the same road an the Islamic Centre but is a bigger space.
The compromise that was agreed to was to move it to 2 to allow people from Woolwich to make it over if they were able to.

 

[CharlieChaplin]

Labour Party sent out an email.

 

[Pickman's model]

Labour Party sent out an email.

they send out lots of emails. what was special about this particular one?

 

[leyton96]

If people want to go there at 1 that's no problem mind. Just take the usual precautions about travelling in groups etc.

 

[CharlieChaplin]

they send out lots of emails. what was special about this particular one?

You're right they do send out a lot of emails.

Something about getting Labour people to come out to Lewisham.

 

[YouSir]

Which facebook group? 2PM was what was agreed at the meeting in the Lewisham Islamic Centre last night.

Originally Lewisham NUT had called something for 1PM at the war memorial opposite Lewisham Hospital. It's on the same road an the Islamic Centre but is a bigger space.
The compromise that was agreed to was to move it to 2 to allow people from Woolwich to make it over if they were able to.

https://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/events/188514991305187?aref=2&ref=bookmark&__user=609752069

 

[YouSir]

And why do you think they call them Islamic centres rather than mosques?

Brian from the marketing department thought it sounded catchier? Placate those to whom 'Mosque' is a scary word? Is it relevant to the thread or just a tangent that I don't have to pay attention to?

 

[DrRingDing]

Brian from the marketing department thought it sounded catchier? Placate those to whom 'Mosque' is a scary word? Is it relevant to the thread or just a tangent that I don't have to pay attention to?

I'll highlight the things that are important but as you were soldier.

 

[nutnut]

Whats the nearest tube station to the Mosque/Islamic Centre?

 

[ddraig]

because there are other things that go on there in addition to the mosque maybe