Day of Action in Blackpool - Leafleting against the fascist BNP

In less than 30 days, Britain will be going to the polls.

If the BNP win a seat in the European Parliament they'll be catapulted from the fringes into the political mainstream and given access to unprecedented media coverage and state funding.

But we can stop this happening. We simply need to tell people the truth about the BNP and the threat that they pose.

To do this, a tool has been launched on the HOPE not hate website that lets you find campaign events in your area. We're asking for two hours of your time. At present there are over 100 events across the country and in the coming weeks we'll be adding to this substantially - rolling out the largest ever campaign to stop the BNP. Will you sign up to an event in your area?
http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/eventsnearme

We will be leafleting on Saturday, 9th May. The meeting point is:
UNISON Portocabin (Blackpool, United Kingdom)
Progress House
Clifton Road
Blackpool, United Kingdom FY4 4US

Please let us know your coming via the Hote Not Hate site or via Facebook on http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=90890433120

Please come along and help even if its just for an hour during the day.

Swastika graffiti insult to war dead

WAR veterans were reduced to tears after mindless vandals defaced a Fylde coast War Memorial.

Blue swastikas were sprayed on and around the monument in Fleetwood.

And among the stunned people who queued up to condemn the damage was Frank Bee, 83, a former Royal Navy man who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War.

Fighting back tears he said: "I have two pals whose names are on there. I'm lost for words. Why do people do these things?"

Chairman of Fleetwood Royal Naval Association Brian Welling added: "I'm disgusted. The people who have done this will brag about it so someone will know who has done it."

The desecration in Memorial Park comes just two weeks after the funeral of Fleetwood's latest war victim, Marine Darren Smith who died in Afghanistan. His name has yet to be added to the roll.

Ron Kennedy of the King's Own Association said: "I'm speechless. It's just crazy."

Local councillor Ruth Duffy said: "I'm appalled. You can't fathom out what goes through the brains of these idiots.

"And it's so terrible after we have lost a young lad, Daz Smith. I'm shocked someone in Fleetwood could stoop so low."

Police found spray cans in bushes close to the memorial and are carrying out house-to-house inquiries.

Insp Dave Vickers pledged: "We're going to leave no stone unturned in relation to this despicable crime. As soon as the person responsible comes forward and admits their actions, the better for them."

Within hours of the graffiti being found yesterday morning, Wyre Council workers had begun cleaning it off.

Coun Lynne Bowen, living places portfolio holder for Wyre Council, said: "Acts of vandalism are always taken seriously in Wyre, but to deface something that honours people who have died serving their country is downright disrespectful.

"We are consulting specialists to see how the memorial can be protected."

Blackpool Gazette
10 March 2009

Group may be formed to counter BNP

AN anti-racist umbrella organisation may set up a branch in Fleetwood to combat the town's new British National Party group.
The Lancaster branch of Unite Against Fascism says it is concerned about developments in Fleetwood.
Member Ketlan Ossowski saw a report in the Weekly News and believes efforts should be made to counter the BNP here.
The Fleetwood branch of the BNP held its first official meeting in the town last week, a private meeting that involved 28 people.
Mr Ossoswski said: "Lancaster UAF is an extremely active group that works alongside a similar group based in Barrow to combat the growth of the British National Party.
"I'm assuming that there is no active anti-fascist organisation in Fleetwood at this time. From our experiences in other areas -
principally Blackpool - we have learned that unless such groups are opposed rigorously and continually they will grow fast and strong.
"That is what has happened in Blackpool and presumably why Fleetwood now has a branch.
"The British National Party has won many seats but it councillors do nothing for their constituents and stir up a lot of unrest in communities."
Mr Ossowski has made contact with Fleetwood Labour Councillor Keith Riley and raised his concerns.
Coun Riley said he is to meet with other Labour councillors to discuss the local BNP branch, although he said it was unlikely he would be involved in setting up a local UAF group.
Coun Riley, who recently voiced views that Fleetwood people were too sensible and tolerant to vote BNP, conceded that there were times when those opposed to extremist groups needed to be more pro-active.
He told the Weekly News: "People do get fed up of governments after a while and protest votes seem attractive. But there are some very sinister sides to the BNP."

Fleetwood Weekly News
14 June 2006

BNP meeting is defended

A FLEETWOOD pub landlord has defended the decision to host a British National Party meeting.
THE BNP staged an event at the Victoria pub on Dock Street last night, and further meetings may be held there in future.
Landlord Eric Pollitt said sympathisers of the controversial party were simply fed up with the main political parties and wanted to mount a protest.
Mr Pollitt, 63, said: "I have been a Conservative all my life and was involved with my local party in Cleveleys.
"But I have become disillusioned at the way this country has been run, first with John Mayor and certainly with New Labour.
"I am not a member of the BNP and have not actually organised this meeting, but I would not rule out voting BNP as a protest vote."
Mr Politt stressed he would be monitoring the meeting to ensure that no racist comments were made.
Last week Fleetwood Labour councillor Keith Riley said he was confident that Fleetwood folk were too sensible to support the BNP and that any vote for the party would be a waste.
But Weekly News reader Jeff Neave hit back: "Councillor Riley should wake up and get in the real world. Fleetwood people are starting to resent the Labour party and have had enough. I would listen to what the BNP have to say."

Fleetwood Weekly News
7 June 2006

Fleetwood urged to shun BNP

FLEETWOOD residents have been urged to shun the British National Party as the far right organisation arrived in town.
A new local group has been set up and held its first meeting in the town this week. See next week's Fleetwood Weekly News for full story.


Fleetwood Weekly News
26 May 2006