THE NATIONAL FRONT has called a provocative national demonstration in London on Saturday 15 June, the day the National Union of Students will discuss its No Platform for Racists policy.
The NUS Executive, in deciding to put down an amendment excluding the "disruption of meetings. in implementing the policy, has encouraged the tascists to make this open challenge. The National Front must be answered by a massive reendorsement of the policy that the ultra-right must be stopped by any means necessary' and by a massive counter-mobilisation of anti-fascists from the trade union and student movements.
Militants in Preston set an example last Wednesday (22 May), when they stopped an NF meeting, at which ex-boy Nazi, Martin Webster was billed to speak. Over 200 antifascists, from IMG, IS, LPYS, and two local college Socialist Societies, unked arms outside the pub booked for the meeting. The police charged the picket, and arrested two demonstrators, but, in the end, had to tell the NF to cancel their meeting.
There is an obvious need for sawn aoour rascan and tacom. and the need to smash them. A conference along these lines was organised at Brunel University, West Middiesex, on 18 May, by Hillingdon Trades Council, The local Community Relations Council, and Brunel University Students Union.
There was general agreement. amongst the fifty left-wingers and trade unionists present with the NUS "No Platiorin" resolution.
A further meeting has been called for 4 June, to discuss practical initiatives by the forces which were united by this conference.
Students at Kent University have "noted with approval the NUS policy. At a General Meeting on Wednesday 8 May, they passed by a five to one majority a resolution recognising:
1. Thal openly racist or fascist organisations such as the National Front, Monday Club pose a direct threat to the organisations of the working class and of blacks because their aims involve the smashing of these organisations.
2. The increased use by the ruling class, both through legislative and non-legislative means, of racism as a tool to divide the working class movement.
Red Weekly 30 May 1974 3. The nature of organisations such as SPUC and Life who not only have right-wing associations but propagate ideas about motherhood, the family and sexuality that treaten the struggle of women for equality and liberation.
The resolution went on to urge:
That in order to counter these organisations it is necessary to deny them a plattorn, to prevent any member of these organisations, or individuals known to expose similar views from speaking in the colleges by whatever meant necessary.
The resolution also pledged that no jascist or racist literature would be permitted on campus and that there would be assistance for individuals This is the kind of militant endorsement which must be counterposed to the NUS leadership's attempts to find an escape-route.
OUT National demonstration on 19 May boosted strike-further action can force T&G to give official backing SUPP DEM IMPE
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picket planned for Essex trials