Unite against Tommy Robinson’s hate march

NOTE: This article was published on 27 November 2018Stand Up To Racism calls upon anti-fascists to oppose Tommy Robinson’s and Gerard Batten’s ‘Brexit crisis’ demonstration under the slogan ‘Don’t let the far right hijack May’s crisis. No to racism and fascism.’ Fascist ‘Tommy Robinson’, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and his thuggish supporters will…

NOTE: This article was published on 27 November 2018

Stand Up To Racism calls upon anti-fascists to oppose Tommy Robinson’s and Gerard Batten’s ‘Brexit crisis’ demonstration under the slogan ‘Don’t let the far right hijack May’s crisis. No to racism and fascism.’

Fascist ‘Tommy Robinson’, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and his thuggish supporters will take to the streets of London on Sunday 9 December. It is vital he is opposed.

Disgracefully he can rely on the backing of Ukip leader Gerard Batten. Batten has just made Robinson an adviser to the party.

This toxic marriage will be in evidence on 9 December they try to build a far-right street movement by using the government’s crisis and the Brexit debate.

Robinson, a former member of the fascist British National Party, has a long history as a violent far-right activist who promoted Islamophobia and racism. He founded the English Defence League. He is a convicted fraudster who is at the centre of attempts to build a new far right movement in Britain.

He has received serious political and financial support from his co-thinkers internationally including Donald Trump’s ex-Chief Strategist, Steve Bannon.

Ukip is moving to the extreme right under Batten’s leadership and his attempts to take to the streets alongside Robinson on has to be opposed.

He must not be allowed to be part of the Brexit debate. Whether people voted Remain or Leave, they need to unite against Robinson on 9 December because he is a dangerous fascist.

Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism have called a counter demo against Robinson and Batten’s ‘Brexit crisis’ demo. We call on all anti-racists and anti-fascists to join it.

Assemble by 11am outside the BBC in Portland Place, London W1A 1AA, to march to Whitehall.


Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

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