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news
 12th July 2006
Stop the BNP in Huddersfield
Leafleting: Saturday, 22nd July
Campaigners from trade unions, churches and Huddersfield's minority communities are calling on the people of Greenhead ward to express their support for a cohesive society by voting against the racist and divisive British National Party (BNP) in the forthcoming by-election in Huddersfield. A low turnout could see a fascist elected in the ward, with serious consequences for its inhabitants, as the experience elsewhere has shown.
Kirklees Unite Against Fascism in association with Huddersfield TUC and Yorkshire and the Humber Unite Against Fascism have organised a leafleting of Greenhead ward to encourage voters to turn out in record numbers to stop the BNP. Trade unionists, anti fascists, faith communities and other concerned citizens will meet at 10am outside Marsh Coop on Westbourne Road on Saturday 22nd July.
Kirklees Unite Against Fascism spokesperson said:" The British National Party (BNP) is planning to cynically use the coming by-election to spread racist myths to divide our communities in a desperate attempt to win votes without any concern for the damage they cause to the people of Huddersfield."
Rt Revd Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract said: “I would like to encourage everyone to vote wisely in the forthcoming by-election in Greenhead ward. Whilst there is more to be done to build bridges of understanding in our local communities, I strongly believe that the BNP has nothing to offer but fear and mistrust.”
John Campbell, Chair Yorkshire & the Humber Unite Against Fascism said: “The BNP is not an ordinary political party. It grew out of the National Front, an openly Nazi organisation. Nowadays, the BNP is attempting to pose as a “respectable” political party, whose leaders wear suits and ties but beneath this surface of respectability lies a Nazi outfit."
Bob Stoker, Secretary, Huddersfield TUC said: “The BNP wants to destroy free, independent trade unions and replace them with company unions. Our trade union movement stands for unity in the face of the BNP’s politics of division and race hate. Its aim of an all white Britain can only achieved through violent means. The BNP represents a real threat to the democratic rights of everyone in Britain.”
Shaida Awan, Chairperson. Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance said: “The BNP’s politics is about demonising minorities and in the present climate Muslims are seen as an easy target. In reality, the BNP’s campaign of hate has no limits and no one is safe from it.”
Kiran Bali from the Hindu community said: "As people of faith we deplore any attempts to divide our community. We resist and challenge the messages of extreme parties against some faith communities. Our religions have taught us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Our shared citizenship and understanding is vitally significant. We call upon our fellow citizens in Greenhead to vote responsibly in the forthcoming by-election."
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