Anti-fascists deny graffiti attack at Twisted Oak pub in Exeter
ANTI-FASCIST campaigners in Exeter have denied that they had any connection with a graffiti attack on a city pub.
Slogans against the British National Party were daubed on roads and a bridge near the Twisted Oak pub in St Thomas earlier this week, apparently in protest at the premises being used for BNP meetings.
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Daubings: One of the anti-BNP messages left outside the Twisted Oak pub
Landlady Dawn Oliver said she had received a call from an anti-fascist group beforehand warning that "something could happen" if the BNP were not stopped from using the pub.
But Lizi Allnatt, spokeswoman for Exeter's Unite Against Fascism, said that while she had made the call, no threat of any kind had been made, nor was the group responsible for the daubings.
Ms Allnatt said: "The BNP has placed a picture of the Twisted Oak on its website, and I contacted Dawn to explain to her that Unite Against Fascism was concerned at the BNP using the pub, and I explained that when people knew about it they often did not want to visit the pub.
"Several weeks later I brought two leaflets relating to the BNP, and some of the things they have said, to the Twisted Oak and met Dawn. I asked her to read the leaflets and she basically said that she was not stopping the BNP.
"It was only on the Monday that I learned of the graffiti. We had not contacted anyone in the UAF. We put out an email saying we did not feel that the graffiti was helpful, and that it was nothing to do with us.
"But we felt it important to write polite emails and letters to the pub expressing our views.
"We are the only known anti-fascist group in Exeter, but this was nothing to do with us and it does not help the cause of the UAF."
Ms Allnatt said the group would be leafleting the Ide area against the BNP.
As the Echo has previously reported, Dawn Oliver, who runs the pub with her partner Phil Lake, said: "I have passed any information I have on to the police. The worry is that you don't know what else might happen."
Ms Oliver said the BNP met at the pub once every couple of months, and on the last occasion its meeting coincided with a get-together for the UK Independence Party.
She said: "The BNP people are very polite and very courteous. They do not approach other customers, they meet behind curtains, and are very pleasant.
"I have no interest in politics, but they are nice people.
"It is a matter of democracy. They are entitled to meet and they come here and spend their money and don't bother anyone. They are not doing anything wrong."
A spokesman for the city council said it would take a couple of days to clean off the graffiti.
41 Comments
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by Rufus, Exeter
Monday, July 19 2010, 11:29AM
“Sam in North Devon, apparently not understanding the difference between an ideology and a nationality.”
by Sam, N.Devon
Saturday, July 17 2010, 2:04PM
“Some people on here are showing their total ignorance.Read the BNP policies before you comment.Anyone who mentions Immigration are classed as racists by the Labour supported UAF.Commie students and Misfits.Organised by the Searchlight/SWP/UNITE Unions.Churchill once stated that the next Fascist will come as Anti Fascists.These people like to call anyone who dont agree with them"Fascist or Nazis.Well I am ENGLISH not a German and as for Fascist.The Commies have murdered over 100 million people world wide who did not agree with your commie ideals.So who are the Fascists? I am a Nationalist who is Proud to be British and I put my country and People first.”
by Rufus, Exeter
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 11:09AM
“It's amusing that people preach democratic rights and freedom of speech as the defence for the BNPs existence, when if they had even a sliver of power they would take those same rights away from so many.”
by Ghee, Exeter
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:36AM
“I agree with Andrew: the point is that the Twisted Oak have let the BNP organise a meeting in their pub. In the past, other local venues that have hosted BNP meetings have been ashamed of the fact, and covered it up. Have things in Exeter changed so much that pubs are now proud to host the BNP?
The BNP are a racist, fascist organisation that took over from the National Front. If you think otherwise, you¿re sadky mistaken. They hide their racist beliefs behind the language of ¿democracy¿, and they steal images of Churchill and Spitfires.
They are currently a legal party, yes. Whoever sprayed the graffiti round Ide has done no damage to the BNP, quite possibly the opposite. The Express & Echo should return its coverage to the true issue: what the BNP stands for & represents, and the track record of its members. Threats of violence like those expressed on this and other pages should not be allowed to stop discussion.
I, for one, will not be eating or drinking in the Twisted Oak again until their policy is changed. And I will encourage others to do the same.”
by Andrew, Exeter
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 10:50PM
“The point here is that people are routinely gathering in this city to cultivate an ideology based on hatred. It's very simple. They are comforting themselves with the notion that by making other people's lives more difficult, theirs will somehow get better. In fact what happens is that things get worse for everybody, not just whatever group of people is set up for blame and persecution. It is right to make sure that the local residents know what is going on. Maybe the landlady isn't aware of the BNP's background and history is. They aren't Hitler but some of them would like to be. It's uniquely nasty stuff. There are ex BNP people who will say as much. It would be great if the Twisted Oak would review its guest list.”
by Louise, Exeter
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 4:42PM
“Never seen it myself. Even if true, it doesn't mean THIS was UAF.
That would be like saying the BNP are known for a hate crimes so every hate crime must be the BNP.”
by KEITH, EXMINSER
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 11:47AM
“The UAF
Are well Known for Graffiti.
If you are unfortunate that you have to use a public Toilet ,
you will see all their Disgusting writing
and drawings on the toilet walls.”
by Louise, Exeter
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 11:26AM
“Gosh you really are a bit dim aren't you Keith!? The UAF are not the only people to be disgusted at the presense of the BNP!!! And with a picture of The Twisted Oak on the BNP's website it was public knowledge!
Lets think about this...if you were planning to graffiti the area around a pub with slogans telling people to boycott the said pub...you would not go along and introduce yourself first!”
by steve, exwick
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 11:00AM
“No they were kicked out of restraunt for gobblin'”
by EDWARD CUTTY-DYER, ASHBURTON DEVON
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 10:57AM
“More worried about the Trolls Steve
Are they under the Bridge ?
Or having a meeting in the Twisted Oak?”