[2,000 workers and youth marched through the East…]
Socialist Press1978 1978-06-21Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 12 →
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2,000 workers and youth marched through the East End of London on Sunday 18 June.
Their aim was to protest against fascist attacks on the immigrant community organised by the National Front the previous weekend.
To the forefront of the march were hundreds of Asian youth, many of whom had marched only a few weeks ago to protest the fascist murder of Bengali machinist Altab Ali, 25, in the same area.
The demonstration wound its way along Brick Lane in Spitalfields where the fascist rampage had occurred, through Bethnal Green and finally returned to a rally at Brick Lane via Whitechapel. it was at this point that the utter bankruptcy of the Anti Nazi League became clear to many youth who had marched.
Dan Jones of Stepney and Bethnal Green Trades Council and a sponsor of the ANL thanked the police Special Patrol Group for "protecting" the march against the fascists.
Insult
This cringing tribute to a gang of vicious anti-working class thugs was an insult to the determination and militancy of all those who wish to seriously fight against fascism.
The SPG had lined the route of the march blocking off side streets which contained tiny groups of jeering NF supporters.
The role of the police was certainiy "protective" but only for the fascists.
But for the cops these vermin would have been given a taste of their own medicine that they would not have easily forgotten.