500 celebrate fascist no-show

Searchlight Cymru | Sunday, 25 October 2009

The Secretary of the leading anti-fascist organisation Searchlight Cymru has congratulated the people of Newport for the support they gave to yesterday’s anti-fascist rally in the City’s John Frost Square.

The English Defence League (EDL) intended to hold a rally in the city protesting at Islamic fundamentalism but in doing so targeting the whole city Muslim community. They cancelled after their disastrous visit to Swansea last week, but hundreds of people still turned out in support of a multicultural Newport.

Ian Titherington stated, “The fantastic turnout in Newport today has clarified, if it was needed, what local people think about fascism visiting the streets of their city. It was the intention of the EDL to recruit for the Welsh Defence League in both Swansea and Newport, but their efforts have been a dismal failure.”

Today’s event had live music, as well as many supportive speeches from politicians and other organisations.

He added, “Newport Communities Against Racism deserves huge credit for today’s event. Such grass roots organisations are the most potent ways of facing up to and defeating organised fascism.”

He concluded, “The last two Saturdays have been disastrous for the EDL. Not only did they fail to build the Welsh Defence League as a consequence, but they created dozens of new anti-fascists across South Wales. It shows what passionate and peaceful protest can win, in the battle against the rise of fascism.”

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