Friday 5 July 2019
As Ex English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson was found guilty of contempt of court Today at the Old Bailey, leading anti-racist activists have called for continued action to turn back the rise of the violent far-right, in which Robinson has played a key role.
Robinson, real name, Stephen Yaxley Lennon, was jailed for 13 months in May 2018 for filming and broadcasting footage of people involved in the trial. That finding was quashed in August after he won an appeal.
His most recent spell in prison saw a mobilisation of thousands of far-right supporters in Central London under the banner of “Free Tommy Robinson”, a month after Robinson himself had led a demonstration of far-right groups. These and other far-right demonstrations last summer featured Islamophobic chants, violence against the police and anti-racists, and speeches from far-right and fascist figures from across Europe.
Later in the year, mobilisations by Robinson and UKIP leader Gerrard Batten attempting to hijack the Brexit debate to build support for the far-right were met with larger counter-protests organised by a broad range of anti-racist, trade union and faith groups including Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism.
Robinson was also rocked earlier this year as he lost heavily in his bid to become an MEP for the North West region. Stand Up to Racism and Unite against Fascism had mounted a dynamic grass-roots campaign to stop Robinson’s toxic efforts.
While celebrating today’s outcome, anti-racists are determined to counter any further attempts by the far-right to portray convicted fraudster Yaxley Lennon as a martyr, and to continue to build the broadest, most powerful movement possible to defeat the rise of the far-right and the wave of hate crime that accompanies it.
Sabby
Dhalu – joint convenor of Stand Up to Racism said,
“We
welcome the conviction for contempt of court for Stephen
Yaxley-Lennon. His real agenda outside Leeds Crown Court was to stir
up Islamophobia and racism. Within weeks of this video being posted
there were violent attacks on Mosques, Sikh temples, trade unionists
and anti-racist campaigners. There is a direct link between hate
speech and racist and Islamophobic attacks on the ground. We stand
for justice for women and that means trials regarding the sexual
abuse and exploitation of young women and children must take place
freely and fairly. Following last year’s imprisonment of Tommy
Robinson, the far right and fascists, funded and supported by Donald
Trump supporters of the Republican right, mobilised in large numbers
under the slogan “Free Tommy Robinson.” Everyone
that values diversity, freedom and democracy
must be vigilant and prepared to oppose possible violent far right
demonstrations.”
Weyman
Bennett, joint convenor of Stand Up to Racism said,
“Today
anti racists and anti fascists everywhere have cause to
celebrate–Tommy Robinson, a lifelong racist and fascist,
has been found guilty of contempt of court and faces the prospect of
being sent down. This follows his deeply humiliating defeat in
the Euro elections thanks to the work of anti racists who got out
onto the streets to build a mass movement that could expose him.
Everywhere he went, he said it was difficult because people kept
saying he was a Nazi! “His
side is severely weakened, and anti racists should be proud of what
we have done decisively to inflict this. But the lesson is we have
to continue to stand together to stop him, as well as taking on the
rise of a racist populist right, the far right, and we must challenge
the institutionalised racism and attempts to normalise racism from
the top of the establishment. This is what fans the flames of the far
right.“
Paul Jenkins, ‘Megaphone Man’, leading organiser of the campaign by Stand Up To Racism in the North West that stopped Robinson gaining enough votes to become an MEP, said,
” ‘Tommy Robinson’ was resoundingly defeated in the North West Region in his bid to become and MEP. From thinking he was going to enter mainstream politics, this fascist has been pushed back and isolated. The Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism campaign to stop him being elected involved trade unions, politicians, faith groups and others. It showed how a mass movement can beat the fascists. This is what we will continue to build whenever the fascists rear their heads.“
For further comment –
Email info@standuptoracism.org.uk
Notes
for editors
1.
Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is an former
British National Party member who has a long list of convictions,
from mortage fraud to violence around football matches. He has links
with the far right across Europe and America. Last year, marches to
‘Free
Tommy
Robinson’ attracted thousands, including known open neo-Nazis,
such as Generation Identity. Trade unionists from the Rail, Maritime
& Transport (RMT) union and other campaigners were violently
attacked by Robinson supporters on some marches.
ends