Griffin in Barnsley

[soam]

So Nick griffin was in town last night for a BNP rally at the Fleets pub. I showed up at about half six expecting to see the usual dozen or so SWP'ers who make up Barnsley UAF. I was pleased to see a turn out of perhaps 60-70 anti fascists. I wasn't unsurprised to see that they had been placed into a designated protest pen about 100 or so metres away from the venue. Cue the usual chants and jeers as the BNP attendees arrived.

Police were out in force, two teams of evidence gatherers filming everyone in the crowd, and the vehicles parked in nearby streets - no filming at all of the assembled fash, who were stood outside the pub filming the protest.

There was heightened excitement at about half seven when a minibus rolled up and a large team of black suited heavies jumped out, Most people in the crowd assumed that this was the arrival of Griffin.

then all of a sudden at just after 8, One of the SWP head honchos got the megaphone out and announced that the protest was over! He said that everyone had to leave as they "didn’t want any small groups hanging around for the knuckleheads to attack" And everyone went home - with the fash still in the pub!!

I was on the Covert tactics blog today watching their footage from last night which shows griffin arriving, shortly after the protestors have left!! I can only assume that the SWP organisers agreed with the police a finish time for the protest and in doing so basically facilitated griffins arrival at the meeting?

There is a lot happening over the next few weeks to try to build opposition to the BNP but after last night i am feeling very disillusioned..

 

[JHE]

then all of a sudden at just after 8, One of the SWP head honchos got the megaphone out and announced that the protest was over! He said that everyone had to leave...

Be fair. After two hours or more in a police pen, shouting "Smash the Naaaaaartzeeez!", the poor Social Workers probably needed a piss and wanted a pint or three (in some other pub, I imagine).

Trots have needs too, you know.

 

[treelover]

Soam, reports are coming in that there were 300 at the meeting, thats a lot in a former mining town, the HQ of the NUM.

 

[soam]

Too right it's a lot!
There were loads of people heading in - including plenty of residents from the immediate area who were walking straight past the protest into the pub.

Not all Social workers are trots - I know a social worker who is a vocal BNP supporter!! ( She also thinks problematic drug users should be steralised )