tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post4314068271744833465..comments2024-03-27T09:14:27.496+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: SWP Bullies London Black RevolutionariesPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-3797369991032436242014-12-02T11:02:18.335+00:002014-12-02T11:02:18.335+00:00Stand up to Racism response 26 November 2014 to Lo...Stand up to Racism response 26 November 2014 to London Black Revs post below: <br /> <br /><br />Thank you for speaking with me earlier. I just thought it would be helpful to clarify Stand up to Racism's position on the events outside the US embassy tomorrow in solidarity with Michael Brown's family, friends and all those campaigning for justice and against racism in the US.<br /><br />We believe unity of all black people and anti-racists against racism is crucial.<br /><br />In the spirit of unity, on learning of your event at 7pm outside the embassy, as I was busy with various appointments, Weyman contacted you with a view to agreeing that there should be one event with one start time. We thought that you had agreed to having one event with a start time of 6pm. We were under the impression this was the case, as your Facebook page also changed its start time to 6pm. So later we were were a little surprised when we saw your Facebook page with a start time of 7pm and a misleading description of Stand up to Racism as an SWP front.<br /><br />I realise perhaps there may have been some misunderstanding so I don't want to rehearse previous discussions.<br /><br />However I would like to reach an agreement with you on a way forward:<br /><br />1. If it is still possible ideally we would like to have one event with one start time. We realise as there is less than 24 hours to go this may be difficult, but this is our preferred option and we would like to discuss this if possible. If we agree this I would suggest the event is jointly called by Stand up to Racism and London Black Revs, and is jointly chaired by the two organisations as we have called the events and the other organisations are listed as supporters of the event and get an opportunity to speak. We should agree a list of speakers. I would suggest a 6pm start time as this earlier time has already been advertised so people will turn up early any way, then for those that turn up at 7pm the event should continue till well after 7pm with an end time of around 7.45pm. Of course we are happy to discuss the detail with you.<br /><br />2. If option one is not possible can I suggest we support and publicise one another's events? We can advertise our event with the earlier start time and advertise your event at 7pm, agree that we support each other's events and each send a speaker to the events.<br /><br />3. Stand up to Racism's event tomorrow has the support of amongst others Marcia Rigg, Carol Duggan and Diane Abbott MP. Generally Stand up to Racism is also supported by the TUC, its affiliated unions including a number of senior black trade unionists, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, other faith groups, migrant rights, refugee and a range of community organisations. Such broad support underpinned the success of the UN Anti-Racism Day march and rally called by Stand up to Racism earlier this year which attracted around 10,000 attendees culminating in the biggest national anti-racist demonstration for almost two decades. Therefore reducing such a campaign to an "SWP front" is not accurate to say the least. We would be grateful if you could remove this attack from your Facebook page.<br /><br />I realise it is very late so can I suggest we reach an agreement on whether we are having one event or two events by 7.30am Wednesday 26 November?<br /><br />I look forward to hearing from you.<br /><br />In unity, <br /><br />Sabby Dhalu<br />Stand up to Racism OrganiserStand up to racismhttp://www.standuptoracism.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-78374271558013484642014-12-02T11:00:52.222+00:002014-12-02T11:00:52.222+00:00Please find below the statements from Stand up to ...Please find below the statements from Stand up to racism which call for unity, and refute the allegations that are being made. Please also note the report on Stand up to racism's website which outlines how we built both demos, called on the hundreds attending our event to stay for the next protest and gave our PA to the LBR event when it was clear they had no PA facilities.<br /><br /><br />1. Weyman Bennett on behalf of Stand up to Racism, response to allegations posted on London Black Revs Facebook event page on 27 November 2014: <br /><br />Dear Comrades,<br /><br />I am writing to clarify some of the points you have raised. <br /><br />Firstly we wrote to you before the event fraternally and in the spirit of unity requesting a joint event or explicit support for one another’s events. We do not accept that we have been sectarian, threatening or accusatory towards your organisation. We explained we called the event at the earlier time because we knew that some sections of the media were able to make the earlier time and we asked you to join us. Also we did not behave in a sectarian manner to your organisation on the evening of the event, when you arrived at the protest, you had no PA facilities, we were pleased to lend you our PA.<br /><br />I refute the allegation that I was threatening and refute the allegation that threats were made to make individuals known to the police. For most of my life I have been threatened and physically attacked by fascists and racists. I choose to direct my energy at racists and fascists, not those on the left or inside the anti-racist movement.<br /><br />Lastly, Stand up to Racism is supported by a number of trade unions, faith and community groups. If you have issues with any of the organisations that support Stand up to Racism please address them to the relevant organisation.<br /><br />In unity<br /><br />Weyman Bennett, Stand up to Racism Organiser<br /><br /><br /><br />Stand up to racismhttp://www.standuptoracism.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-33075813867425835622014-12-01T16:29:57.623+00:002014-12-01T16:29:57.623+00:00Obviously you have the advantage of me, being a fo...Obviously you have the advantage of me, being a former member of the SP yourself, and you know what was discussed in your organisation. I can only state things as I saw them in early 2004 - and to many members of NorSCARF, not just me, the 'Charter for Change' proposal appeared to be a ham-fisted attempt to turn NorSCARF into an SP front organisation. I could go into further details to prove my case, but I really don't see any point in having an argument about the events of ten years ago, so I'll let things rest there. (As always, my comments are made in a personal capacity.)Jason Hillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-13738617221032040922014-11-30T16:25:26.707+00:002014-11-30T16:25:26.707+00:00No Jason, there was no take over attempt nor was i...No Jason, there was no take over attempt nor was it even discussed. Remember, we are talking about the second half of the last decade when I was somewhat involved in the SP. This was the period in which Bennett made his comments. Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-53690788335021715922014-11-30T15:09:30.463+00:002014-11-30T15:09:30.463+00:00Phil, I'm not going to comment on the main thr...Phil, I'm not going to comment on the main thrust of your article. I will just say that it don't think it's particularly helpful or relevant to bring up the issues around NorSCARF, which go back several years and have already been discussed to death elsewhere. But, as you have raised it, I believe that you are being a little disingenuous in claiming that the Socialist Party were not manoeuvring to take over NorSCARF. I believe that the SP's proposal for NorSCARF to adopt a so-called 'Charter for Change' (in fact, the main points of the SP's political programme) WERE part of a takeover attempt. In fact, the SP's proposal was decisively rejected by the 2004 AGM of NorSCARF: the majority of the NorSCARF membership felt that NorSCARF should stick to opposing racism and fascism without adopting the SP's programme. NorSCARF has never been a front for the SP or SWP or, indeed, any other political party, and I hope it never will. (Disclaimer: I am writing this in my personal capacity, and my views do not necessarily represent those of NorSCARF.)Jason Hillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-32231224680299566742014-11-29T19:53:34.729+00:002014-11-29T19:53:34.729+00:00"Secondly, veiled threats were received to ma..."Secondly, veiled threats were received to make individuals known to the police if we continued to host [the event]"<br /><br />Really? By the SWP? They've turned cop snitches, have they?<br /><br />This is either:<br /><br />1)bollocks<br />2)'cleverly' written bollocks i.e. leaving a reader to think it was them when they don't actually claim that, or something like that<br />3) evidence of a truly remarkable turn by ostensible revolutionaries<br /><br />Shame on the author for reporting such obvious lies or at least a gross distortion.<br /><br />And, no, I'm no fan of the SWP <br />Southpawpunchhttps://twitter.com/Southpawpunchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-10276644536014542042014-11-29T17:22:53.352+00:002014-11-29T17:22:53.352+00:00Of course the Labour Party wouldn't arrange a ...Of course the Labour Party wouldn't arrange a protest of this character nor do many of the things LBR do. That's because it's a vote-catching party of government, and the political wing of a movement that encompasses a very wide range of opinion. It's a mass organisation to which mass organisations are affiliated. It does amuse me that often times so-called revolutionaries, like our SWP-crawling anonymous friend here reacts against the Labour Party like a spurned lover and condemns it for never doing the revolutionary things it was never going to do. Who really has illusions in Labour?<br /><br />Anyway, this is about the SWP's behaviour. I would have thought it incumbent upon them to behave to an altogether higher moral standard. Yet to charges of bullying and threatening LBR with the cops, our friend says nothing. The moral vacuity gripping the SWP extends outside its ranks, if indeed anonymous isn't one of those who thinks rape cover ups aren't a resigning matter and still gives the SWP their time and their cash.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-75131220234458989802014-11-29T14:29:49.792+00:002014-11-29T14:29:49.792+00:00New labour dead? You really are living in a fantas...New labour dead? You really are living in a fantasy world.<br /><br />New labour/Labour, would never promote, initiate or want to be seen to be associated with a crowd like this. No, they/you dance to the tune of the Daily Mail and the gutter press. See New labour's hopeless capitulation on issues such as immigration.<br /><br />Whatever the faults of the SWP, they actively seek to build movements like this. New labour seek nothing other than the continuation of the status quo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-42752221055234529692014-11-28T11:15:41.831+00:002014-11-28T11:15:41.831+00:00I don't know. If there are any updates I recom...I don't know. If there are any updates I recommend checking out the LBR's Facebook page. Link is at the top of the post.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-33843279663392556312014-11-28T09:13:23.863+00:002014-11-28T09:13:23.863+00:00Today, public letters stating individuals names we...<i>Today, public letters stating individuals names were published</i><br /><br />Are these where we can see them?ejhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01582272075999298935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-65890924186557430712014-11-28T07:10:46.322+00:002014-11-28T07:10:46.322+00:00You're right - New Labour is no more.
But wh...You're right - New Labour is no more. <br /><br />But what's left? <br /><br />It is genuinely difficult to see anything distinctive about it - it is just a social democratic blob which is only attractive as an alternative to the truly awful Tories. <br /><br />It will probably win the next election in coalition with the SNP and LibDems (as I hope it does) but it will be the worst thing that could happen to it. Speedynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-77970571961656668942014-11-27T22:05:09.778+00:002014-11-27T22:05:09.778+00:00New Labour doesn't exist. Are you one of those...New Labour doesn't exist. Are you one of those people who still talks about the ConDems as if it's really clever political humour?<br /><br />And you're wrong as well. "New Labour" Diane Abbott was invited, and it's likely a smattering of party members attended too. What is more significant than your carping is that this very successful demo by people of *all backgrounds* avoided derailment by the SWP. So instead of your whataboutery you might want to reflect on why the "most advanced section of the working class" tried to bully another revolutionary organisation?Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-74286562287586135672014-11-27T21:37:28.416+00:002014-11-27T21:37:28.416+00:00Secondly, veiled threats were received to make ind...Secondly, veiled threats were received to make individuals known to the police if we continued to host [the event]<br /><br />You cite another lesser known SWP tactic, they also try to get people bottled by the police and the youngsters arrested lack the legal support the SWP members are provided with. Result Bobos go home to mummy and daddy and the WC kids spend a weekend in the cells.jimboonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-40395032461652692912014-11-27T21:21:03.761+00:002014-11-27T21:21:03.761+00:00New labour wouldn't touch these people with a ...New labour wouldn't touch these people with a barge pole. Stop living in denial.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-71796528743789413002014-11-27T21:18:48.449+00:002014-11-27T21:18:48.449+00:00As this statement says nothing about "New Lab...As this statement says nothing about "New Labour" I haven't the foggiest. But I note LBR were prepared to liaise directly with Diane Abbott.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-41942796441725664502014-11-27T20:44:35.117+00:002014-11-27T20:44:35.117+00:00Secondly, veiled threats were received to make ind...<i>Secondly, veiled threats were received to make individuals known to the police if we continued to host [the event]</i><br /><br />Scum.Philhttp://gapingsilence.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-90729570285561423202014-11-27T20:34:02.002+00:002014-11-27T20:34:02.002+00:00Being one of its spokespersons, how did that beaco...Being one of its spokespersons, how did that beacon of global justice, New Labour, engage with this very laudable endeavour?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com