Church leaders back campaign against BNP

| Saturday, 20 March 2004 Source: Searchlight

LEADERS of more than 200 Yorkshire Anglican churches are backing the campaign against the racist British National Party which and its candidates in local and European elections in June.

They voted overwhelmingly to sign a "Statement of Unity" drawn up by anti-racism campaigners in Leeds, one of the cities being targeted by the BNP. The decision came at a meeting of the Synod - parliament - of Ripon and Leeds Diocese of the Church of England. The Diocese covers more than 200 churches in Leeds and North Yorkshire including Harrogate and Ripon. The "Statement of Unity" against racism and the British National Party was drawn up by Leeds Unity Against Racism and Fascism, which is backed by trades unions, community and political groups, Councillors and MPs, Christian churches, Muslims and Jewish people, and people of no religion.

The proposal to support the group's declaration came from the Vicar of St Mary's at Whitkirk in Leeds, the Rev Ian Black. Moving the motion Mr Black said the BNP was not neutral and their activities went far beyond normal political activity.

"It is overtly racist," he said. "We should speak out now so that people are aware."

BNP leader Nick Griffin has denied that the Holocaust - in which nine million people including six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis - ever happened.

David Anthony of Richmond, who was stationed at Belsen concentration camp in 1947, said the church should repudiate anyone who denied the Holocaust. Tom Gill from Headingley in Leeds said that National Socialism in Germany had similar beginnings. The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, Rt. Rev John Packer, said there was great value in the diocese affiliating itself with others in opposing the particular threat posed by the BNP.

The motion "This Synod supports the 'Statement of Unity' from Leeds Unity Against Racism and Fascism. In advance of the local and European elections on June 10, 2004, it reaffirms its opposition to racism" was carried with just two votes against.

Mr Black said before the vote: "I do not want the BNP in charge of Leeds City Council because they do not stand for the Christian base I have based my life on.

"I want to make it clear to anyone who votes for them that they are not voting for Christian Britain. I feel this is one issue big enough and strong enough to require us to make a stand.

"Leeds is a vibrant city, full of life and energy. It is a wonderful place. "There are opportunities for the multi-cultural side of Leeds to be something to celebrate." He said he had witnessed the BNP "jumping on the asylum bandwagon" and turning on victims of war and famine.

Leeds Unity can be contacted on e-mail leedsunity@hushmail.com, tel 07932 221014, website www.leedsunity.org.uk, and c/o Leeds National Union of Teachers, Spen Lane, Leeds LS16 5BE. ends.