Beating the Fascists

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“They Shall Not Pass…. and they did not pass!” Anti-Fascist Action (AFA) activists from various parts of the country explain in words and deeds the concept behind their basic principles, which were “to confront fascism both physically and ideologically.” In this first part, Mensi, the lead singer of legendary punk band Angelic Upstarts, introduces AFA’s [...]

“To use the old East End terminology, they weren’t very good on the pavement…” In the second part, East London Dockers Leader, Mickey Fenn (RIP) explains the situation in the 1970′s when the most militant elements of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) and the Anti-Nazi League (ANL) formed fighting ‘squads’ to take the physical fight [...]

“From Papish Conspiracy to Jewish Conspiracy…” Scottish AFA activists explain the links between fascism and loyalism, with particular reference to the fascist presence among the supporters of Glasgow Rangers, which goes back to the early 1970′s with paper sales by both the NF and the BNP establishing a firm foothold at Ibrox. Fascism as an [...]

“Remember, fascism doesn’t start with concentration camps, that’s where it ends!” In the final part of the programme Mensi outlines why AFA seeks to keep the fascists off the streets. This policy is demonstrated with footage of AFA confronting fascist paper sellers in Bermondsey, south London. The programme ends with a call for working class [...]

“We only take to the streets in a physical manner because they’re there. … No fascists on the streets, by definition, no Anti-Fascist Action.” The above clip is taken from a TV documentary (approx date 1993) about the various methods of anti-racism and anti-fascism. In this clip the role of AFA in the fight against [...]

Beating The Fascists: The Untold Story of Anti-Fascist Action ISBN: 0904491129 / 978-09-044-911-28 Price £15.00 Sean Birchall Freedom Press The most controversial political book of the decade will be hitting the streets in October 2010.  A compelling account of the extraordinary activities of Anti-Fascist Action (AFA) – by those who were there on the frontline [...]