and Charlie Langford THE MARCH 19 TUC demonstration in Tower Hamlets shows the way forward for the anti-racist movement.
With 60,000 people and countless trade union banners it was a magnificent show of solidarity with the black community of the East End. The fascists of the BNP and racists generally have had notice served on them that they will meet a united response from the trade union and anti-racist movement.
Anti-racists are still confronted with a huge struggle to combat racism in all its guises.
The immigration laws jail asylum seekers or prevent them from escaping from oppression. The police still criminalise black youth.
Racists are still attacking black people on the street and in their homes. Black people still face discrimination in housing, education and jobs. They suffer the worst of the bosses onslaught whilst at the same time are made the scapegoats for the crisis the bosses have created.
It is now far easier to take up anti-racism within trade unions, and to challenge the inbuilt racism of the labour movement. With labour movement input, it will be far harder for the petty sectarians of the ANL and ARA to feud about primacy in the movement.
It is now important to keep up the momentum. In May and June there will be local and Euro elections. The Tories are likely to do badly in both. We need to turn the anti-Tory mood into an effective fight. The only way to do this is to support the Labour Party.
Of course the trade union leaders will want to control and divert anti-racist activity, but last Saturday's demonstration was by trade union members rather their leadership.
This needs to be built upon to ensure a movement based on the activity of rank and file trade unionists and anti-racists is created.
Breeding ground
Anti-racists and trade unionists must put pressure on the trade union leaders and Labour Party for policies which really combat the decaying social conditions which are a breeding ground for racism and fascism.
Creating new criminal offences is not the way to defeat racism. Using violence for whatever reason is already a criminal offence.
The problem is that the police force and the courts are thoroughly racist. What we need is labour movement solidarity with all those who defend themselves from racist attacks.
The Liberals run Tower Hamlets council - a council which refused the TUC demo permission to meet or disperse from council property in the borough.
The Tuesday before it also similarly harassed an NUT demo against racist cuts in section 11 funding (for specific educational provision for school students who do not have English as a first language).
The ruling Liberal councillors have been under (totally ineffective) investigation for racism by the national Liberal party since the election of a BP councillor in the Isle of Dogs last October.
The disgrace of Tower Hamlets council shows why the Liberals will never be able to combat racism effectively. The TUC was right not to permit Paddy Ashdown to address the demonstraWhat we need is labour movement solidarity with all those who defend themselves from racist attacks. tion.
There is a fascist grouping within the European parliament. The BNP have an ambition to become the British wing of that grouping. So far they have been prevented mainly by the British Tories being so right-wing that there is little political space for a fascist party to operate.
With the downturn in Tory fortunes that factor is now less powerful and it is likely that we will see a major push by the BNP in the forthcoming elections.
Tory policies have opened the way for racism and for the fascists. The situation in Bosnia shows where this road leads. This makes the actions of the Labour Party and trade unions critical.
They need to throw their full weight into the fight against racism and fascism.
They need to lead the fight for full employment, decent pay for all, proper housing, education and healthcare. There is no alternative.