BNP opponents stage Exeter protest
OPPONENTS of the British National Party protested in the centre of Exeter at the weekend.
The protests against the far-right political party came as a retaliatory gesture for the previous weekend, which saw BNP supporters handing out leaflets in the city centre.
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Protesters hand out leaflets opposing the BNP in Exeter's Bedford Square OLIVER SANDERS EE070209_OS03_02
Unite Against Fascism obtained authorisation from city centre bosses to set up a stand in Bedford Square, where the BNP had been, and on Saturday about a dozen people distributed leaflets discouraging people from supporting the right-wing group.
Unite Against Fascism member Mike Gurney said they were shocked when they found out what the BNP had been doing and thought the party should not go unopposed.
He said: "We know the BNP is going to stand in the European elections in June and we hope to run a big campaign against them in the run-up."
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw lent his support by spending some time at the UAF stand.
He said: "It's important to be vigilant against the far right, who are trying to exploit the current economic problems in the world, just like in the 1930s, and exploit people's fears and anxieties."
On Saturday, January 31, the BNP was forced to pack up by the police.
City centre manager John Harvey said the party had not requested permission to use Bedford Square, and had it done so, it would not have been granted for reasons of offence to shoppers or businesses and public order concerns.
The Socialist Party set up two stands in the city on Saturday and also had about a dozen supporters distributing leaflets. The party has a stand every week, but like the BNP, got moved on last weekend.
Party member Steve Bush, who runs the Facebook group against the BNP in Broadclyst and Devon, said: "We came back with two stalls to show we have a right to be here. We knew UAF were coming so we came to show a united front against the BNP."
The BNP claims it is standing up for the rights of British workers in light of the recent furore over jobs at the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire being given to Italian workers.
Several people have supported the BNP on the Echo's website, saying everyone is entitled to voice their opinions.
Rod Gray, from Dawlish Warren, wrote: "Whatever happened to the concept of free speech? The BNP is a legitimate political party, it should have the same rights as any other party. Like all political parties, it has some good policies and some bad.
"If people do not like any party's agenda they voice their disapproval at the ballot box."
Peter Lucas wrote: "This is still a democratic country and the BNP deserves to be heard."
Kelly, from Exeter, wrote: "Before this Government ruined the country I would never have considered voting anything but Labour. I have seen protesters trying to prevent the BNP from their political rights. This is making me more intrigued in what they have to say."
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by James Naish, Manchester
Saturday, February 27 2010, 10:02PM
“Exeter (my home town, and my home for more than 18 years) is a city that is highly insulated from the political events occurring across the rest of the country, and is also a city that has a very low non-white populus in comparison to other British cities. Multiculturalism has yet to hit Exeter in any noticeable way, and as a result, certain elements of the city's populus fear the effect that multiculturalism would have on their own lives. The consequence of this is that xenophobia is a bigger problem than it is in areas (such as large parts of Greater Manchester) where there is a much more diverse mix of ethnicities. It is noticeable that in many such areas integration has proven to be reasonably effective and the BNP have next to no credibility. Around the country, over the past year, whenever the BNP have turned up on picket lines, they have been greeted with contempt. That is because people have seen the lengths to which the BNP will go in order to make their mark, and it all too often involves physically terrorising women and children purely on the basis of ethnicity. Most workers recognise that they have more in common with a Muslim or Polish worker than they do with a British boss and it is for that reason that the BNP will never grow into anything more substantial than a cult of the dissaffected.”
by Bo, Exeter
Thursday, March 19 2009, 10:13AM
“No, were scared that people are going to be led into a Rascist + fascist country. Making divides will only make things worse, not better.”
by J B Rand, Devon
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 4:22PM
“Paul, Exeter
'missing you already'”
by Vince, London
Tuesday, February 10 2009, 4:21PM
“Paul, Exeter- Good, I'm glad you put that down in black and white. I hope you have reason to act upon it one day.”
by Chris, Exeter
Monday, February 09 2009, 11:52PM
“If you dont like the BNP then dont vote for them..simple ... I however will be, Just a dirty word called Democracy”