In the build-up to the far-right march through Brighton, which takes place at the end of April, speakers from Unite Against Fascism (UAF), the Green Party, the Labour Party and the trades union movement will address a meeting called ‘Standing together: why the far-right mustn’t divide us’ from 7pm on Thursday, April 11, at Community Base on Queens Road in Brighton.
Speaking will be Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of UAF who has been at the forefront of UAF’s action against fascist groups, including the BNP (British National Party) and EDL (English Defence League).
Another speaker will be Labour Party activist Sarah Owen who is the Labour candidate for Hastings and Rye. If elected Sarah will be the first Chinese MP elected in the UK and is a strong opponent of fascism and racism and has spoken at UAF meetings in the past.
Leading members of the Green Party took a principled stand against March for England last year joining the many others from Brighton who lined the streets to oppose the far-right. Green councillor. Deputy leader of the city council, Phelim Mac Cafferty will also be on the platform at the meeting.
Around one thousand Brighton residents turned out to show opposition to last years march. This year UAF believe many more will take part, and the meeting on April 11th is intended to provide an opportunity for locals to come together and build opposition in the city.
Roland Ravenhill of Brighton and Hove Unite Against Fascism said:
“The far-right is on the rise across Europe, but where they are opposed they fail. When the racists held their march through our city last year the reaction of Brighton people was truly inspiring. The more local people join the opposition to this far right group, the greater the chance it will not return.”
March for England takes place on the April 21, and this year it will be marching along the seafront. Opponents will be gather near Brighton Pier, and along the route of the march from 11am.
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