Bermondsey Says No To Fascism - October 3rd 1937.

http://www.lydiasyson.com/the-battle-of-bermondsey/

Cable Street 1936

A Conservative Party MP support for the Blackshirts, Hitler & The Daily Mail

Sir Thomas Moore (1886-1971)
Ayr Burghs Conservative Party Member of Parliament 1925-1964

Participated in the British expeditionary Force that invaded Russia after the Russian Revolution to support Czarist and "White" forces. A dirty war when Winston Churchill ordered the use of "Chemical weapons".

Member of the secret pro German, pro Hitler - Anglo- German Fellowship
Dubbed "Hitler's friend" by the Sunday pictorial

In October 1933 Thoms Moore had stated "Peace and justice are the keynotes of (Hitler's) Policies)

DSir thomas Moore MP was a supporter of the British Union of Fascists and its leader Sir Osward Mosley and Daily Mail supporter

In his Article he wrote for the Daily Mail 25th April 1934, entitled

"The blackshirts have what the Conservatives need"

Thomas Moore Conservative Party MP for Ayr stated

What is there in a black shirt which gives apparent dignity and intelligence to the wearer...... all seemingly filled with the same emotions, pride of race, love of Country, loyalty, hope.

As I listened to Sir Osward Mosley, I got my answer. There was little if any policy which could not be accepted by the most loyal follower of our present Conservative Party leaders

The majority of the essentials and many of the details are part and parcel of strict Tory doctrine"

Daily Mail report of a German Nazi rally 1935

Daily Mail report of a German Nazi rally 1935 

"This corridor of broad chests, surmounted by fine open, clear cut faces, this elite of sturdy nations youth"

Daily Mail owner with Hitler

Gagging Free Trade Unions and "Gleichschaltung" in 1930's Germany

For the German trade unions of the Weimar Republic the union journal was the primary means of communication; the leadership of the trade unions used them as a platform for organising and political messages.                  

This was particularly the case with the "free" trade unions of the workers.  Gathered under the umbrella of the largest trade union federation the General German Trade Union Federation (Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund) or ADGB, they subscribed to the slogan: "Knowledge is power - power is knowledge".   Therefore they invested a great deal of money in their press and educational work.   

In the year 1929, for example, the member combined trade unions of the ADGB federation spent 13.2 million Reichsmarks on press and education campaigns, while the cost of all their industrial action that year was only 1000,000 Reichsmark higher.   

The ADGB published 33 union journals, 12 union branch journals and other union magazines, 16 union youth papers and 16 technical journals with a total circulation of 6.1 million copies.

This obviously gave the trade unions an impressive power base and therefore represented a danger for the Nazi'- National Socialists.  Immediately after taking power on 30 January 1933  the Nazi regime began harassing the editors of the trade union journals and ordered a temporary "ban" on publication.

However, the smashing of the free labour trade unions began with the occupation of the union headquarters on 02 May 1933 by Nazi SA and SS raiding squads.   Trade union assets were seized, union leaders arrested, tortured and jailed, later some of the union leaders were brutally murdered.

The Nazis crushed the free trade unions, but retained their press organs for themselves.   The aim of the Nazis was "Gleichschaltung"; to bring the union members as much into line as practical with the ruling Nazis Party as had already been achieved with union journals.

This is why we need unions that educate, unions that are free and unions that fight fascism

Trade Unionist must never forget 2nd May 1933

Shop Workers Against Fascism

The onset in 1930 of the severest recession  the world had ever  known made 20 per cent of Britain's workers unemployed.
 
The town of Jarrow in the North East of England epitomised the human misery of unemployment  in the hungry thirties.

Virtually a single-industry town, its life blood came from Palmer's shipyard. when the shipyard closed down the consequences were catastrophic. Nearly 80 per cent of the workforce was out of work. 

Malnutrition was claiming lives and the death rate from tuberculosis was double the national average.   

In 1936, with Shop Workers union sponsored MP Ellen Wilkinson at their head,  the men of Jarrow set off to march to London. Throughout the journey the march was fed.and sheltered largely by.the efforts' of trade union members  and Co-operative Societies.  


Ellen spoke nightly at public  meetings en route  and  finally led  the weary yet triumphant marchers into London's Parliament Square.  

The  march  roused  the  whole  nation, but the Tory Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, refused to see any of the marchers.

Apart from the recession, another great  shadow lay over the political scene of the thirties—the  increasing power of Fascism across Europe and the threat of a second world war.

The Shop workers union joined with other unions in highlighting the abuses of fascist regimes in Europe, while opposing fascism in Britain at a time when the ruling establishment including the Daily Mail, Conservative MP's and members of the Royal Family were embracing Hitlerism and his fascist ideology.

Union members fought the fascists on the streets of the East End and elsewhere. They died in the International Brigade defending Republican Spain against fascist enemies.

When the second World War came the union would lose over 2,000 members fighting fascism and a further 140 civilian members killed in aerial attacks  on Britain



NOTE
The Shop Workers union lost 2,047 member during World War 2 fighting fascism, to add to the 2,103 killed in World War 1

Palme Dutt - What is Fascism

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What wrote R Palme Dutt in his book

"Fascism and social revolution"

are the general conditions for the growth of Fascism ?

He listed them as follows

1) Intensification of the Economic crisis and of the class struggle

2) Widespread disillusionment with parliamentarianism

3) The existence of a wide petty bourgeois inter mediate strata, slum proletariat, and sections of the workers under capitalist influence

4) The absence of independent class conscious leadership of the main body of the working class

Foretold the Holocaust 1941

Uxbridge Rotary Club
Speaker Tells of Forthcoming Holocaust

The Sorry Plight
of Seven Million Jews

"It is calculated that something like seven million Jews have been reduced to abject misery by the War. I do not use the word degradation because a Jew does not lose his spiritual morale even if his world falls about him in ruins."

Thus declares Mr Cyril Henriques M.Inst C.E. speaking at Uxbridge Rotary Club on Thursday 7th November 1941.
Mr Cyril Henriques "could not call to mind a single English statesman who had made any definite reference to the suffering of the Jews." "There seemed to be a conspiracy against it and he was forced to the conclusion that it was deliberate." Uxbridge


Advertiser & Gazette 14th November 1941


NOTES


In September 1939 Conservative controlled Middlesex County Council banned a film about the treatment of Jewish people in Germany by a Russian film company from cinemas in the County because it would offend (Germany) "a friendly nation" - It should be recalled that large sections of the British establishment including the Daily Mail, Conservative Party Lords and MPs and some Royals were supportive of Nazi Germany and a number members of the secret pro Nazi,Clivden Set.

FIGHTING FASCISM - OLYMPIA 7th JUNE 1934

The Daily Worker stated on 26th May 1934

“In connection with the great anti-fascist demonstration which is being organised by the London District Committee of the Communist Party on 7th June 1934, when Mosley’s Blackshirts are holding a fascist rally at Olympia, the following are the arrangements. Marches will be organised from five different parts of London in the late afternoon, to arrive in Hammersmith Road, in the vicinity of Olympia, at 6.30pm.”.

At this Fascist Rally held in the heart of London, supported by sections of the "establishment", British Union of Fascist stewards brutally beat anti fascist hecklers, a turning point in the anti fascist struggle in Britain, Two years later the anti fascists would deliver a decisive blow at the famous Battle of Cable Street on Sunday 4 October 1936.

Arthur Groves - Cable Street

Fifty years after the
Battle of Cable Street Arthur's still putting two Left feet down against extreme Right

By Tim Mansel Uxbridge Informer 23rd October 1986

When the word went round two weeks ago that British National Party activists were on their way to Uxbridge, a group of protesters gathered to greet them.



As they waited patiently outside Uxbridge - tube station, one of their number could have been forgiven for allowing his mind to take him back to the days of Sir Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts and in particular one Sunday in October 1936.

For East Ender Arthur Groves, now a Hillingdon Labour councillor, was among the masses who prevented Mosley and his men marching through the East End's Jewish quarter in the so-called Battle of Cable Street.

The failure of that march is widely believed to mark the beginning of the decline of the Blackshirt movement.

Arthur, 74, lived at 438 Cable Street with his wife Ethel and remembers the occasion well.

"On that Sunday morning all the Blackshirts were massed up by the Tower of London," he recalled. "They were going to march through where all the Jewish people lived and meet up with another mass and assemble for a meeting in Victoria Park.
"They thought they were going to take over at that stage and they started on the Jews, because they were the weakest people.

"But as soon as the word went round, masses of people started moving into the Aldgate area and around the Tower of London, and soon there were so many that they were pushing the trams back, which were hefty, great things in those days.


'NO MARCH'

"Eventually the chief of police came through and told Mosley ' no march', and that was it, they never started."

Arthur also has chilling memories of the rise of the Blackshirt movement in the East End at the beginning of the 30s.

The movement would recruit boys as young as 11and 12, who would often be out on the streets at night more senior members, aged 19 or 20.

"They weren't concerned with just Jews," said Arthur. "Anyone who was walking around would get attacked.

The Jews were justn excuse." He remembers one particular night when he was coming back from his brother's house at Bow.

"We used to go up there for a game of cards every now and then, and one night as we walked out to get a tram, there was this sudden shout of "Jew boys."
"We could see these yobbos, nine or 10-year-olds,and with them were these two massive blokes.

"I can still picture one of them. He had his hands in the pockets of his sports jacket and when he pulled them out he was wearing knuckle dusters.

"But then one of them said 'It's okay, they're not Jews' and we got away."
Now 50 years on, Arthur is still campaigning against the influences of the extreme right and he spent four or five hours two weeks ago preparing to protest against a threat which that day hardly materialised.

"It's a bit different nowadays," he said, "and Saturday was certainly quieter."


Councillor Arthur Groves Hillingdon Labour Councillor 1986-1990
died July 1994

-----------------------------------------------

Anti Fascism - Uxbridge 1986

A BNP day of action planned for Uxbridge on 11th October 1986 was announced in the local newspapers, but with just three days notice anti fascists mobilised over 250 to meet the challenge, under the traditional ant-fascist slogan of "No pasaran - They Shall not Pass". The Anti Fascist group included a large number of Labour Party Councillors, Labour Party members, trade unionists, Brunel Students, Christians and West London Anti Fascist Action (AFA).


(photo above Mosley floored in Manchester)


With anti-fascists stationed at the Uxbridge underground ticket booths, few fascists chose to leave the platform. Millson himself stated they were met by "an enormous number of red trouble makers"

On the day Millson was soon caught and only because AFA members were not 100% sure if in infact it was Millson was he saved from, as one AFA member described it "a real good reeducation" that option was however advised against by local Quakers present, instead he was told in no uncertain terms to get out of town, which he did via the nearest routemaster bus, but without a bag of fascist literature.

Not for the first time there were those, especially amongst the Conservative party (with a few exception, Cllr Kester for one) who condemned the anti fascist mobilisation.

However, the local papers and people knew that by supplying an overwhelming force in "taking the streets" Hillingdon had once again defeated fascism.

The local paper headline proclaimed " BNP action flopped because of large turnout of anti fascist" If anyone had any doubts about Millsons fascist credentials, they only needed to read his later quotes in The Guardian stating "I would describe myself as a fascist. My main aim at university has been to drum up as much support as possible for racialism ." (Guardian, July 5, 1986 and repeated again on February 5, 1997). Unsurprisingly he subsequently rejoined the Conservative Party.

British Racialism

By Sid Bidwell MP (Southall)
Labour Monthly - August 1969

In a sense, colour discrimination and other less seen forms of racialism in this country transcend normal concepts of class barrier and class exploitation. In another sense it is easy to see all the deficiencies of capitalist 'civilisation' at work making full use of racialism: hence Powellism.

In the black-brown-white conflict here, there is no new language code which does not remind us of Nazi-Mosley anti-Jew propaganda and activity. Read the fascist race literature now! Substitute Jew for coloured and it is the same half lie and blatant lie.

Those who peddle a supreme lie: alleging skin pigment and ethnic origin as a major factor determining some sub-standard behaviour have to falsify further. All racialists are habitual liars. Hear them describe occasions when there has been a fracas. Two or three coloured people become hordes.

In parliament some Tory MPs are better on this than a lot of Labour MPs. On the other hand there is no Labour MP who makes a fetish of hostile race and immigration questions.

It is no accident that Powell and his cohorts are reactionary on all other matters: economics, rents and housing, trade union shackles and so on. If Powell is more realistic on east of Suez military presence than Heath, it is certainly not because he is less 'Blimpish'. Today Heath has less working-class support than Powell. He stimulates the 'lumps' and backward elements. It is easier to stir them in a period of mass disappointment with a Labour Government.

Division is needed and easy to create.

The Rt. Hon. Enoch Powell, former front bench Tory, to all fascist-racialists in odd comers is the best bet as a leading name. Although they badly need him, there is little sign that he needs them or that he goes beyond receiving their congratulations. But he does not seem embarrassed by their attention.

The National Front (an amalgamation of the old British National Party and the League of Empire Loyalists) has shown signs of organised disruption leading to violence at meetings. Happily they show all habitual signs of splitting.

The fine work of students, trade unionists, real Christians and socialist-communists on friendship councils or community-relations helps enormously. Not least important is leadership of immigrant workers and their preparedness to encourage full participation in all working-class political activity. Already many coloured workers are winning spurs as shop-stewards. When such comrades are able to lead all types of workers we are sailing, and weak Powellism can be snuffed out at birth.

However, in the present political climate calling for maximum socialist unity, the need for vigilant determination to smash fascism is as important as in the days when I 'cut my teeth'in struggle against the Mosley blackshirts in the East End of London who were chanting 'The Yids! We've got to get rid of the Yids!' That seems only yesterday. -

ANTI-FASCIST ACTIVITY 1986

In 1986 the fascist British National Party (BNP) attempted to organise in Hillingdon, no doubt buoyed by comments made by Terry Dicks MP for Hayes.

The BNP elements grouped around Stuart Millson, a recent member of Essex University Federation of Conservative Student , who claimed to be the local BNP parliamentary candidate (he never actually stood). Millson set about trying to inflame the local population, ending with his chilling claim in a letter to the local Informer newspaper (19th February 1987) that "hysterical proponents of the six million myth" in a reference to the holocaust.

A BNP day of action planned for Uxbridge on 11th October 1986 was announced in the local newspapers, but with three days notice anti fascists mobilised over 250 to meet the challenge, under the traditional ant-fascist slogan of "No pasaran - They Shall not Pass". The Anti Fascist group included a large number of Labour Party Councillors, Labour Party members, trade unionists, Brunel Students, Christians and West London Anti Fascist Action (AFA).

With anti-fascists stationed at the Uxbridge underground ticket booths few fascists chose to leave the platform. Millson himself stated they were met by "an enormous number of red trouble makers" He was soon caught and only because AFA members were not 100% sure if in infact it was Millson was he saved from from, as one AFA member described it "a real good reeducation" and later by Quakers who urged caution, and instead he was told in no uncertain terms to get out of town, which he did via the nearest routemaster bus, but without a bag of fascist literature.

Not for the first time there were those, especially amongst the Conservative party (with a few exception, Cllr Kester for one) who condemned the anti fascist mobilisation. However, the local papers and people knew that by supplying an overwhelming force in "taking the streets" Hillingdon had once again defeated fascism. the local paper headline proclaimed " BNP action flopped because of large turnout of anti fascist" If anyone had any doubts about Millsons fascist credentials, they only needed to read his later quotes in The Guardian stating "I would describe myself as a fascist. My main aim at university has been to drum up as much support as possible for racialism ." (Guardian, July 5, 1986 and repeated again on February 5, 1997). Unsurprisingly he subsequently rejoined the Conservative Party.

The Labour Group of Councillors were undoubtedly a key factor in the speedy mobilisation, and one Labour Councillor had actually taken part in the Battle of Cable Street on October 4th, 1936

By Sheila Fearty


NOTE:
The Battle of Ridley Road
Challenge September 13th 1947- By Mick Noble - Recently de-mobbed from the forces

RIDLEY ROAD—Saturday.

Thousands of East London house-wives fill this famous market, buying wares and collecting the Sunday dinner. The cries of the ' coster-mongers mingle with the gossip of the women and the yells of the children. Ridley Road—Sunday. The shops are closed. Gone are the stalls and barrows. But people are still there, people who hate fascism. People who once believed that Fascism had died with Hitler. Sunay, August 31, 1947, was a historical day for London's Youth.

The London Young Communist League (YCL) with the Hackney Branch in the lead, held the ground at Ridley Road for nine hours against fascist provocation. Forced to start the meeting at 4 p.m. (it was scheduled to start at 7 p.m.) the Y.C.L. put speaker after speaker on the platform. Youth from all walks of life denounced with great human feeling the increase in fascist activities in London.

Eighteen year old Betty Moss, of the Hackney Y.C.L., one of the earlier speakers, said: “The Housewives' League and the Tory Press may criticise the miners, but you will not find any of the rich class down the pits. Give London's Youth a chance and they will help to save Britain." Pete Richards, of St. Pancras Y.C.L., who sailed to France on D-Day, and was later wounded, made an impassioned appeal to a packed audience of 4,000: " Youth has a future if Fascism and Capitalism are destroyed in Britain," said Pete as thousands cheered

DOWN WITH FASCISM! At that moment the fascists, masquerading under the name of the" British League of Ex-Servicemen," were holding a meeting not far away from the youths' platform. A flood of abuse against the Jewish people was let loose. The crowd's hostility increased. Suddenly from all directions police swooped down upon the fascist meeting and it was promptly closed down. Police, on foot and in motor vehicles, then rushed to the Y.C.L. meeting. John Goss, Secretary of the London Y.C.L., mounted the platform to the cheers of the crowd. As he spoke, hundreds of little Hitlers, including German P.O.W., began to march upon the Y.C.L. meeting.

As they drew near, they began chanting: "Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate? — M-O-S-L-E-Y! " and sang the " Horst Wessel," the song composed in a German brothel, as they converged on the meeting. But they were thrown back by the solidness of the crowd, who were keenly interested in the constructive policy which Johnny Goss was putting forward for solving Britain's economic crisis. " The fascists say you don't find Jews in the coal mines," said Johnny, " and yet the only London lads working down the same pit as myself during the 'war were Jews. But you won't find fascists down the mines. No honest-to-goodness miner would work beside them."

The chairman, appealing for a collection, said: "The Tories and fascists ridicule our appeals for money, but we are proud to receive the pennies and shillings from the working class, for this indicates that we voice the needs of the people. Give your answer to the fascists! " Twenty-eight pounds four shillings was collected.

The fascists on the, opposite side of the road, angered by their failure to break up the meeting, made a final assault. They" rushed the meeting, throwing bottles and fireworks, but were once again decisively routed. The people stood steady and calm. The police were compelled to arrest a few fascists. In past weeks it has only been anti-fascists and ex-Servicemen who have been manhandled and arrested by the police. The police have indicated in the past their sympathy for the fascists.

This changed attitude may be an expression of public agitation and discontent with the actions of the police. The meeting came to an end as the crowd, thousands strong, sang the "Internationale" with great gusto. The fascists, who had earlier been singing the Nazi " Horst Wessel" insolently started singing the National Anthem. Before the crowds dispersed, 4,000 anti-fascists raised their voices in three tumultuous cheers, for the unity of the Labour movement, for a future for British Youth and the destruction of Fascism in Britain.

London's youth won a great victory on Sunday, August 31, But the last " Battle of Ridley Road" has yet to be won.

END

Southall Anti Fascism 1936

No Fascism in Southall (1936)

In late October 1936 fascists in Southall organised a rally in Southall park. A counter demonstration was organised under the banner "No fascism for Southall" and a conference was called to oppose fascism in Southall the secretaries being Mr D. Romney and Mr J. Ross