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Nazis Run in Portrush
A couple of reports regarding the attack on the White Nationalist Party in Portrush. From the Sunday Life and also a statement and pics from the group involved, the 'Fascists Out' campaign. And a whinge from the WNP
Sunday Life - 11th April 2004
Racists 'run' in seaside battle
By Stephen Breen
ANGRY campaigners from a left-wing Ulster party, last night vowed to step up their campaign against racist thugs in the province.
The defiant plea was issued by the Socialist Party, after its members confronted figures from the shadowy White Nationalist Party (WNP), in north Antrim, last Saturday.
The left-wingers confronted the neo-Nazis as they distributed hate leaflets to homes, and also displayed racist banners. Although police were not called to the confrontation, it is understood there were minor scuffles between the groups, before the WNP members fled. The racists left behind their flags, and it is also believed they were later destroyed by their opponents.
The north coast is a stronghold for right-wing groups, including the WNP, National Front and the British Nationalist Party (BNP).
Last week's row erupted after we revealed, earlier this year, how the left-wing party had been caught up in south Belfast's race hate campaign. Campaigners from the Socialist Party were threatened, after distributing anti-racist leaflets, in the Donegall Road area. Racists - believed to be from the National Front - made phone threats warning party members to "stay away" from the loyalist stronghold. We also revealed how the WNP had claimed it was the "fastest-growing" party in the province.
A spokesman for the Socialist Party vowed to continue the party's anti-racism strategy, across Northern Ireland. Said the spokesman: "We had to keep our plans secret, because we did not want the WNP finding out about them. We are determined to combat racism in all its forms, and the best way to do this is to confront the racists head on, when they are distributing their hate literature. There was a bit of a scuffle in Portrush, but nothing serious, and it wasn't long before the racists were running from the area. They consider this area to be one of their powerbases, and they were completely shocked when our members turned up. Racism is a terrible disease in Northern Ireland, and our members are determined to continue the fight against it."
A police spokesman refused to comment on the row.
Statement from Fascists Out!
[email protected]
WNP/Combat 18 fascists driven out of Portrush
Call for venues to refuse "Blood & Honour" concert
Members of a recently set up Fascists Out! Campaign prevented fascists from the White Nationalist Party/Combat 18 from distributing leaflets in Portrush on Saturday. (3 April). The anti-fascists confronted the four fascists in a car park near the Dunluce Centre and insisted that they hand over their material. After a brief confrontation the fascists ran off in different directions.
Captured Flag
Leaflets and other fascist material including a WNP flag were seized. This material – see photograph – from the WNP and Combat 18, with swastikas prominent, shows the real nature of these groups.
Yesterday a misleading report appeared in the Sunday Life which claimed that the Portrush action was carried out by the Socialist Party. The Fascists Out! Campaign is, in fact a broad based campaign made up of a number of groups and activists in the North Antrim area. It was formed last month at a meeting in Ballymena organised by people in North Antrim who have been concerned by the efforts of the fascist WNP to organise in the area. None of the individuals or organisations involved were approached by or spoke to the Sunday Life. It’s purpose is to expose the real nature of the WNP. The fact that most of the material seized in Portrush was openly fascist with swastikas prominently displayed should be noted by people throughout North Antrim.
A spokesperson for the Fascists Out! Campaign commented. "For some time we have been monitoring the activities of the White Nazi Party in the Coleraine, Ballymoney, Bushmills and Ballymena areas. These people are spreading racist filth and encouraging the cowardly attacks, including the petrol bomb attacks, against members of minority communities.
"Hitler scapegoated the Jews and these modern Hitlerites are trying to scapegoat racial minorities. Like Hitler they stand for a "pure aryan race". "The problems of low pay, cuts in services, lack of jobs especially for young people, lack of affordable housing etc. are not caused by immigrants. They are caused by the current economic system that puts profit before need, and by government policies that are dictated by the interests of big business.
"The ideas of the White Nationalist Party/Combat 18 are straight out of Mien Kampf. Their aim is to take away democratic rights including the right to vote and the right to belong to trade unions. The White Nationalist Party programme states: "We believe that democracy is a fraud and a sham. We wish to establish a new type of State based on leadership, authority and discipline."
"People in North Antrim and across Northern Ireland respect democratic rights and will oppose any group whose aim is to take away these rights and establish a Hitlerite dictatorship.
"We do not want fascists organising here. We have enough problems in Northern Ireland with the sectarian conflict without having fascists stirring up more trouble.
"We are organising against them because we know it is dangerous to be complacent in face of the threat of fascism. The lesson of the rise of Hitler is that the German fascists should have been taken on when they were small. The White Nationalist Party/Combat 18 have no support. This is the time to defeat them so that we make sure they never get any bigger.
No "Blood & Honour" concert here!!!
"These thugs have announced that they intend to bring a fascist "Blood & Honour" band over from England to play in the North Antrim area. This concert should not go ahead. The Fascist Out Campaign are asking every venue in the area to refuse to let fascists use their facilities. Make sure every door in the area is closed to these Hitlerites."
Contact us at: [email protected]
A posting from the WNP website guest book responding to what happened in Portrush. (original spelling and punctuation)
From: ulster
Sent: 21:19 GMT on 3 April
four members of ulster w.n.p were attacked in portrush today by a group of up to forty reds whilst leafletting, a bag containing leaflets and posters was stolen by force. my question is where the fuck were all you armchair ulster nationalists who spend all their time posting about how great it is to be in ulster on this guest book and yet leave all the ground work to real actavists it's about time you lightieght fuckers got out from behind your p.c and did something to help.well done to the coleraine and bushmills members who were there today.as ian stuart said even if we stand alone we must never hide.
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