Some recommended reading

Here are some interesting things to read from around the blogosphere:

Vicky Thompson of the Hands Off the People of Iran steering committee has recently set up her own blog, ‘Infantile and Disorderly,’ so check it out.

Over at ‘The Storm Breaking Upon the University‘ there is an interesting article on academic freedom and the case of Hicham Yezza by Alana Lentin.

Fascist attack on ENS supporter in Huddersfield

A statement from the Communist Student Exec:

Communist Students would like to extend our solidarity to the Education Not For Sale (ENS) supporter who was attacked by far right thugs on Friday 30^th May in Huddersfield. She was attacked because of her prominent role at the students union and her vocal support of No Platform for the BNP.

During the attack she received a fractured rib and severe bruising. The comrade was also slashed at with a knife. As she was attacked they called her a “Dirty red”, “Filthy Lesbo”, and “Britain-hater” .

It is essential to show our support for the comrade. Far right thugs could have attacked anyone involved in anti-fascism and left wing politics. It is essential to show that these attacks will not deter us from our struggles. This attack shows once again the necessity of propagandising and organising for the self-defence of the workers movement. Communist Students is prepared to work with others in attempts to ensure the physical safety of working class activists and communities.

Communist Students wish the comrade a speedy recovery and are happy to help in any way we can.

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ENS report: http://www.free-education.org.uk/?p=536

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A press release from Kirklees Unity:

Revo: like turkeys voting for Christmas

This year’s NUS conference voted to support a motion (moved by Workers Power youth group Revo) calling for NUS to lobby the government for a ban of far-right websites such as Redwatch. Vicky Thompson, an anti-fascist and libertarian communist, who was also a delegate from Manchester University at NUS conference, explains why she opposed this motion:

Like turkeys voting for Christmas

Why NUS conference should not have proposed a ban of Redwatch (and why the Left was wrong to support it)

On the closing day of NUS conference 2008 a motion proposing to lobby the government for a ban of websites including Redwatch, Noncewatch and Stormfront was easily passed. I voted against it. Yes, as a militant anti-fascist, as a Communist and as a keen advocate of No Platform, I voted against it. I believe in freedom of speech; I do not believe in state censorship. The majority of the student Left at conference supported this motion, in what I would argue shows a remarkable bout of short-sightedness.

Fascism debate continues

Communist Students members have continued to be at the forefront of a debate over the nature of fascism; whether the BNP is fascist; and which anti-fascist tactics are most applicable in this period. This debate was recently one of the main topics for discussion at a CPGB members aggregate, and has continued to be fought out in the pages of the Weekly Worker. Here we highlight the two most recent articles from CS members on opposing sides of this debate.

‘Facing up to the fascists’ (Weekly Worker 709, February 21 200

Jim Grant and Dave Isaacson take issue with Jack Conrad on anti-fascist strategy: http://www.cpgb.org.uk/worker/709/facingup.html

‘Getting real about the BNP’ (Weekly Worker 713, March 20 200

Benjamin Klein takes issue with comrades Jim Grant and Dave Isaacson on the nature of the far right and the threat it poses: http://www.cpgb.org.uk/worker/713/getreal.html

This debate is set to continue and we invite other comrades to join in the discussion on this blog and by sending letters to the Weekly Worker.

Russian anti-fascist stabbed

This from Indymedia - an anti-fascist skinhead has been brutally stabbed while attempting to defend an LGBT Valentine’s march from russian neo-Nazis.  He’s still alive, but in critical condition and - coming not so long after the tragic death of 18-year old skin Jan Kukera in the Czech Republic, see Antifa - it is another unsettling reminder of the rise of fascist gangs, particularly in the former Stalinist countries.

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News from Russian comrades:

On February 14th an antifascist activist was heavily wounded in Moscow by nazi scum. Now he is in hospital in a critical state and needs money for serious treatment.

This St Valentine’s day sexual minorities of Moscow were planning to have a little procession on one of the central squares of the city. But before the event it was heard that nazi boneheads were planning to ambush the parade. Representatives of sexual minorities rights comunity called for help from Moscow antifascists.

On the day of the event a big mob of nazis indeed showed up at the place of the procession. But instead of gays and lesbians a crowd of about 50 antifascist skinheads and punks appeared at the square and shooed the nazis away. After this the parade commenced, covered by antifascist activists.

But the Nazis managed to regroup and attacked one of the antifascist skinhead, who was cut off from the main force.. The guy was beat up and stabbed heavily and ended up in the intensive care unit in hospital.

His life is still in extreme danger now. Doctors say that even at the best he could stay in hospital for several months.

You can send money through WebMoney:

Z260630952047 (dollars)
R321197368781 (Russian Rubles)
E311886845482 (Euro)

After you send the money – please, send a notification about the transfer to this address:
 abc-msk@riseup.net

Thank you!!!

(please repost this anywhere you can! It’s extremely important - we still can safe his life)

Yorkshire RASH