Over three thousand people took to Manchester's streets on 22 August to protest the brutal racist murders of Mohammed Sarwar and Siddik Dada earlier this year. It was the largest anti-racist mobilisation Manchester has seen for many years.
The march was a highly militant display of anger. Slogans like 'Justice for families', 'No justice, no peacé' and 'self-defence is no offense' were chanted in Urdu, Bangladeshi and English.
The march was joined by contingents from around the Greater Manchester area, and form cities further affield including Birmingham, Sheffield, Bradford and London.
Many businesses on the route of the march through the Asian community closed as a sign of support, and a minute's silence was observed. A wreath was laid at the spot where Mohammed Sarwar was killed.
The final rally was addressed bi the recently-formed Black peoples AÍ liance, Newham Monitoring Project, the Anti-racist Alliance and several ...hey you, that's Rostock!
12 Sept, 1992 No. 27 local campaigns.
The success of the demonstration was the result of serval months hard campaigning. The Siddik Dada and Mohammed Sarwar Memorial Committee has provided an exemplary model for this type of campaign.
Firmly based on grassroots activista with black militants in the forefront, it managed to unite a wide range of forces under its banner. From beginning to end the bereaved families were placed at the heart of the campaign and fully consulted at every stage.
Despite attempts by the Anti-Nazi League and sections of the AntiRacist Alliance to gain narrow factional advantage out of this serious campaign, a real working relationship, based on mutual respect, was forged between black militants and white anti-racists on the basis of co-operation and mutual respect.
Socialist Outlook supporters played a full role in this, and will continue working to build an anti-racist movement in Britain that is grassroots based and democratic, with a clear understanding of the need for black self-organisation and leadership. Brutal bunch, those Serbs e8бe 26704-