Fascism & Anti-Fascism conference
17 February 2010
The School of Social Science is to host a conference organised by Merseyside Unite Against Fascism and Love Music Hate Racism, in partnership with the Anthony Walker Foundation and supported by Liverpool Guild of Students.
Date: Saturday 13 March 2010, 9.30am - 5pm
Venue: 68 Hope Street Liverpool
In June 2009 the fascist British National Party (BNP) gained its first two seats in the European parliament with Nick Griffin elected as MEP in the North West. This election represents a turning point in British politics. It is the most significant electoral success to date for a fascist party in this country. It threatens to normalise the presence of the BNP on the political scene in a similar manner to Jean-Marie Le Pen's Front National in France.
The climate of racism against immigrants and Muslims, together with harsh and uncertain economic circumstances, have created conditions that have allowed the Nazis to grow. With the general election looming this conference offers an opportunity to debate contemporary and historical issues in the struggle against fascism and the challenges we face today.
Sessions, speakers and panelists so far include :
- Martin Smith (Love Music Hate Racism) on ‘What is Fascism?’
- Wilf Sullivan (TUC Race Equality Officer) heads a session on ‘Trade Unions, Community and Anti Fascism’ including Lavinia O’Connor (PCS), Paul Jenkins (North West UAF), Cllr Louise Baldock (Kensington Remembers)
- Nahella Ashraf (chair Manchester Stop the War Coalition) and Muhammad Umar - Chairman of Ramadhan Foundation speaking on ‘Islamophobia’
- John Rose (Independent author and intro author to Marek Endelman's 'The Ghetto Fights' speaks on ‘Resistance to the Nazis – The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising’
- Paul Holborow (Sec Anti Nazi League) and Councillor Stephen Munby on ‘Stopping the NF in the 70’s: Lessons for Last Time’
- Peter Hooten (The Farm), Baby J (LMHR) and Kelly Wood (NW Regional Officer Musicians Union) on ‘Love Music Hate Racism’
- Jon Garland (University of Leicester, co author of ‘Hate Crime: Impact, Causes, and Consequences’), Tony Lloyd (Anthony Walker Foundation) and Pura Ariza (UCU LGBT committee) on ‘Is Hate Crime Getting Worse?’
- The conference will close with a panel discussion on ‘How we stop the BNP today?’ including Weyman Bennett (Unite Against Fascism), Dominique Walker, Dannie Grufferty (President of Liverpool Guild of Students)
The conference is open to everyone and registration begins at 9.30am with the sessions starting at 10.15am. Advance tickets are available from News from Nowhere Bookshop, 96 Bold Street, L1, priced at £5. Alternatively you can contact Merseyside Love Music Hate Racism (merseyside@lovemusichateracism.com / 07908 202 006) or Janet Jamieson, School of Social Science (j.jamieson@ljmu.ac.uk, 0151 231 5080).
There will be a free Love Music Hate Racism gig in the evening at Mello Mello, Slater Street, with the Long Finger Bandits, The Stop Outs and DeeJays. Doors 7.30pm.
Contact
Merseyside Love Music Hate Racism
Email : merseyside@lovemusichateracism.cpm
Mobile: 07908 202 006
