Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
Trades Union Council
jump to menu Demonstration an outstanding success - BNP 'conference' an absolute flop
Setting off
Passing the Tower
New Kimberly Hotel; Same old BNP
(Photos courtesy of Preston Workers)
On Saturday 25 November, over two hundred trade unionists (including a large contingent of USDAW Conference delegates), anti-fascist protesters, students and school students gathered outside of the Winter Gardens to protest the BNP's decision to hold its "annual conference" in Blackpool.
Speakers included Weyman Bennett (UAF), Alec McFadden (NW TUC), Andrew Wheatley (BFWTUC), Pete Marsden (UNISON) and others. Three masked fascists, making "Hitler" salutes, appeared momentarily and then ran away.
We received information that the BNP were meeting in the New Kimberley Hotel, in South Shore, a good two mile walk from the town centre.
Despite the long distance, we decided to march there and most of the demonstrators set off from the Winter Gardens. Our route took us onto the Promenade and past the Tower, the Central Pier, the South Pier and the Pleasure Beach.
Along the way, four young people spontaneously decided to join the demonstration. A number of motorists sounded their horns, the vast majority indicating support.
Arriving at the New Kimberley, the demonstrators were put into a grassy area directly opposite the hotel. The curtains of the hotel were drawn but a number of BNP members, many with shaven heads and wearing ill-fitting suits, occasionally appeared at the entrance to take photos and to grin at our demonstrators.
More speeches were given outside of the hotel, and we learnt that the BNP presence was no more than 50 or 60, a far cry from the 250 claimed on its website.
The demonstration passed off peacefully and we dispersed, leaving the BNP to explain the embarrassingly small attendence at their "national conference", and the New Kimberley Hotel management to ponder the loss of trade and reputation now that all sections of the trade union movement are urging a boycott of their hotel.
We would like to thank the UAF who pulled out all the stops to make this a successful demonstration. The biggest thanks however must go to all the demonstrators, who gave up their Saturday at very short notice. Everyone contributed to the success of the demonstration.
A final mention needs to go to the Police whose pro-active and even-handed presence allowed us to exercise our democratic right to protest in a peaceful and orderly manner. The speculation in the local evening newpaper about violence by football hooligans, extremists from the far right, or from provocateurs in the demonstration itself, was shown to be groundless.
General Information
Blackpool
President: Martin Penfold; Secretary: Andrew Wheatley
©2006-2008 Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Trades Union Council - All Rights Reserved
Page last modified: 2007-01-01 19:16:01 +0100