to protect a National Front (NF) rally on April 27. Despite predictions from the NF's candidate in local elections that hundreds would attend, and transport from London, only 70 nazis turned out. Anti-racist demonstrators, outnumbering the nazis 2-1, attempted to stop the rally, blocking access to the HIV West Midlands Police moved in, attacking the anti-nazi demonstrators. Four protesters were arrested and two were later charged under the Public Order Act. Inaction from the Birmingham City Council and pollce protection mean that it is only mass mobilisation from the local labour movement that can stop the nazis.
LESBIAN AND gay activists in Brighton are planning a packed weekend of activities for the first ever 'Brighton Pride' festival at the end of May. The event is intended to be a mixture of protest and celebration and has been organised by the local group 'Brighton Area Action Aaainst Section 28' In the wake of Clause 25 of the Criminal Justice Bill and the government's climbdown on its attempt to prevent lesbians and gay men fostering, Brighton Pride will be another marker of the lesbian and gay movement's determination to remain visible. The organisers hope that it will follow the London 'Outrage' demonstration in February and Manchester's Liberation 91' event in April as a display of strength and anger as well as pride. The Brighton group is one of the few to have stayed active throughout the three years since the campaign against Clause 28. During this time the group has maintained its activity, monitoring the effects of Section 28 and tackling a range of issues affecting lesbians and gay men. At a time when many London boroughs are closing down their les. bian and gay units, Brighton Council is taking faltering steps forward on this issue, largely due to pressure from local activists. A successful Brighton Pride weekend will bring a new influx of activists into the group, and a further consolidation of its important role within Brighton's lesbian and gay community. The weekend includes: busking, the creation of a giant chalk drawing in the town centre on May 24, a march through the town centre on May 25, followed by a cabaret; and other events culminating in a Pink Picnic on the Bank Holiday Monday. May 18, 1991