Socialist Party Australia - Newcastle Community 350+ Vs. Racists 10

Report of yesterday's anti-fascist mobilisation in Newcastle, NSW
On Saturday January 22th a successful demonstration was held in solidarity with the Sudanese community against the Patriotic Youth League, which had been trying to whip up hatred of them in the working class suburb of Islington. At its height 350 people, with probably 500 people in total attending this event. Speakers from the trade unions, activists and Sudanese residents spoke out against the attacks of the PYL. Simon from the Newcastle Socialist Party spoke of his experiences in the early 1990s fighting the BNP in London, as well as the need for the movement to deal with the pressing issues such as jobs, education and cuts to community services. He also spoke of the need to confront these racist groups wherever they came up.

A concert was also held in the city which also had a good attendance.
Meanwhile the PYL organised a rally under the aegis "Concerned Citizens Collective" and was only able to mobilise 10 people (some of which had been bussed in from Sydney).

The small attendance for the racist rally doesn't mean that they are irrelevant, these people have shown their desire to incite racist violence and need to be defeated. The Socialist Party supports the campaign against racism and will actively build this coalition.

Next Meeting of the Campaign against racism is on Wednesday, February 2nd, at the "Octapod" cnr King and Auckland Sts, Newcastle. The Socialist Party supports the campaign against racism and will actively build this coalition. Next Meeting of the Campaign against racism is on Wednesday, February 2nd, at the "Octapod" cnr King and Auckland STs, Newcastle.