Brighton and Hove Socialist Workers Party presents:
The Olympics and the Politics of Sport
As the London Olympics approach, the world is engulfed in deep recession.
£9 Billion of public money is being poured into the Games, but the vast majority of people will never have the opportunity to even set foot in the stadium, emblazoned with the corporate sponsors well known for promoting healthy lifestyles: McDonalds, Coca Cola and Dow Chemicals.
The ‘legacy’ on which it was sold to the public is quickly slipping away as the vast majority of East Londoners will fail to see any real benefits from hosting the games; skyrocketing rents and property prices and missiles stationed on tower blocks seem to be the only legacy to speak of.
Are the Olympics about more than money-making and expensive stadiums?
Can sport be reimagined in a way that isn’t framed as national competition?
How has the Olympics and sport been used (and abused) for political ends?
Join Brighton SWP for a discussion with Gareth Edwards, (blogger at ‘Inside Left: The Official Anti-Olympics Blog’)
This is not England, this is Brighton
E ci sono pure io ad un certo punto, ma non sto facendo niente di illegale
Jubilant antifascists swamp the EDL’s mates in Brighton
Antifascists in Brighton have scored a fantastic success against ‘March for England’ – an outfit with close ties with the English Defence League.
MfE supporters and flags are regularly in evidence at demos organised by the racist and fascist thugs of the EDL. Their Brighton event was also being backed by the EDL-linked racist football hooligan organisation Casuals United, which told supporters not to wear ‘colours’ – EDL or Casuals clothing or insignia.
But it wasn’t a good day for the EDL in disguise.
Around 1,000 antifascists, overwhelmingly local residents, turned out on the streets of the city today, vastly outnumbering up to 120 of the EDL’s mates, who arrived by train.
The antifascist demonstrators were joined by local MP Caroline Lucas as well as some local councillors.
Crowds of antifascists filled Brighton’s streets to block the march by the EDL and their racist mates.
Despite a heavy police escort, the fascists were repeatedly forced to divert from their route into sidestreets. Antifascists even set up a barricade to block one street.
The racist march was surrounded throughout, with its chants drowned out by hundreds of antifascist demonstrators.
The racists were humiliated as Brighton people made clear – in great numbers – their pride in their diverse city.
There was a celebratory air among the antifascist demonstrators as it became clear the streets and the day belonged to them.
protesters by M Coombes on Flickr.
Facce d’antifa
Police in Brighton beating anti-fascist protesters demonstrating against the EDL march. Their defence is that people were “punching horses.” Can you see anyone punching horses? I can’t.
classe: well I can tell you no one touched those scary mofo. ACAB
Brighton: stop EDL’s ‘March for England’ mates, Sun 22 April
Antifascists in Brighton are organising against ‘March for England’ – an outfit with close ties to the English Defence League that has announced a march in the city on Sunday 22 April.
MfE supporters and flags are regularly in evidence at demos organised by the racist and fascist thugs of the EDL.
Their Brighton event is also being backed by the EDL-linked racist football hooligan organisation Casuals United, which has told supporters not to wear ‘colours’ – EDL or Casuals clothing or insignia. They want to pretend their racist demo is just a St George’s day event.
Antifascists are determined to expose and oppose these racists. UAF supporters an other antifascists will meet on Queens Road, at the top of Gloucester Road at 11.30am on Sunday 22 April.
Brighton and Hove Socialist Workers Party presents:
Why is protest under attack and how can we stop it?
With Jelena TimotijevicThe student movement of 2010 and 2011 brought with it some of the most determined resistance to the Tories austerity and privitisation measures since they came to power. But it also saw some of the most repressive policing seen in Britain’s recent history. Alfie Meadows, a Kingston University student who was hit round the head with a baton by police on horses, was left with a fractured skull and needed emergency brain surgery to save his life, now faces a charge of violent disorder, carrying a possible jail term of upto 5 years, for daring to stand up for his education and the privilege of being nearly killed by the police.
This shows the Tories are scared of resistance, of people fighting back against their austerity agenda. They know the power of the working class and they’re attempting to prevent any movement taking off by scaring people away from demonstrating. Such attempts are an attack on our democratic right to protest and must be fought against.
Brighton and Hove SWP’s meeting:
The rise of neo-fascism in Europe
Focus on: Italy and Hungary (I’ll be the speaker yo)
