Revive the anti-racist movement (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Revive the anti-racist movement

9:14am Thursday 9th July 2009

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It is with great sadness that I read the letter from “Confused and fearful half-breed”, June 25.

Without wishing to downplay the genuine distress and fear the BNP success has caused, we should remember that the European Elections were held amidst the rapid increase in unemployment of a recession caused by the total failure of our financial system.

They also coincided with the greatest political scandal of all times when we discovered that many MPs have been using taxpayers’ money to feather their own nests.

It is not surprising that a party on the extreme right which feeds on fear, racism and popular discontent should have won significant support.

But what I would say is this: we understand your distress and share it, but you are not alone. If you live in a neighbourhood where these people make your life difficult, you must fight back. There are anti-racist laws 0and the police and other agencies are there to protect you.

It is high time for the anti-racist movement of the 70s and 80s to be revived in Bury. Perhaps we also need to tackle the BNP on their territory through tenants and residents associations, community action groups and community projects around allotments, or youth projects.

Yes, 3 994 people voted for the BNP at the European Elections, but 3,454 people also voted for the Green Party on an anti-BNP ticket.

Mrs N. Haydock Meadowcroft Radcliffe

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