Anti-Fascism

Manchester Students Anti Fascist Collective

The Campaign

Manchester Students Against Racism and Fascism is part of the University of Manchester Students Union (UMSU) and gets funded directly by the Union rather than being a Society. It began last year in retaliation to the rise of the new far right street force; the English Defence League. The UK has experienced a rise in support for the far right with the British National Party gaining two MEPs and with the EDL able to bring thousands to their racist marches. The collective aims to bring together anti racists of all kinds and from all groups. We have anarchists, socialists, environmentalists and independent anti fascists. The Collective works with and supports the Unite Against Fascism (UAF), Hope Not Hate and we enjoy good links with the Manchester Anti Fascist Alliance (MAFA). MAFA was created not long before the collective and have a twin track strategy: physical confrontation of fascists on the streets and ideological struggle against fascism in working class communities.

We aim to confront racism and fascism on the streets of Manchester and in the local communities. By uniting the students in the collective and supporting groups activities we hope to have a strong force within the University.

Anti-Fascism and Anti-Racism is one of the most important struggles young people and students can get involved in. With a large section of our universities student population being people the far right target, the collective must work to make the University and Manchester a safer place for them and the wider population.

Achievements

Last year we leafleted Piccadilly train station about the realities of immigration, we supported Hope Not Hates enormous, and eventually successful, campaign against the BNP in Stoke and Dagenham. MAFA have begun their community work by leafleting Moston, the BNP's Manchester stronghold, and will be going into Salford and other communities effected by the BNP and EDL.

How to get involved

And check out these websites:
http://manchesterafa.wordpress.com/
http://manchesteruaf.org/
http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/