Categories: protest
Date: 29 May 2010 16:29:46
Today I've been off to Newcastle protesting in Unite Against Facism's counter demo to the EDL's decision to take to the streets. Now, there is debate whether EDL is actually a far right group or not in the traditional sense, but it appears to be.
The day was interesting and disturbing in many ways. Firstly, I believe it is interesting - if not even significant - that the English Defence League chose to arrive in Newcastle on the same day as the apprentice boys march. Apparently the marching season takes place early in England.
Secondly, I had not realised that the EDL has developed links strongly with the football firms. Hope Not Hate has a bit about this in their description of the group. The strength of these links became apparent on the way home.
Thirdly, these football firms and far right groups are effectively grooming young people, not to be exploited in a sexual way, but rather to be abused through taking their innocence. I was shocked on the train on the way home seeing, and hearing a bunch of kids, and they were kids, sitting together on the seats behind us. They were all of about 13, (if that), and were dressed in proper casual clothes, (Fred Perry and so forth). They were mini me's, looking like miniture versions of men in their twenties or thirties. One of the scarily bright ones, who sounded as if he had been picked up on and was being trained in leadership, was describing how firms worked and the importance of the retro casual look to his friends. They were also discussing the importance of getting to away games early to avoid being taken straight to the ground by the police and so forth. They reminded me of the kid in "This is England" who was too young to be dressed as a mini-adult and got seduced into right wing politics not realising the consequences of this organisation until it was too late and he had been emotionally scarred.
Final thing was I realised how on this type of demonstration being a Christian leads to facing an issue which can be positively and negatively dealt with. The issue is the way the views of the racist get confused with the people themselves. The EDL protesters become "scum" and "sewer rats" to be dealt with. Now I think their views are abhorant but part as a Christian I need to be careful not to confuse the person made in the image of God with the evil views they hold (their sin).
Now, how did I deal with this? Firstly, I tried only to join in with chants that didn't demonise the person. Secondly, I took advantage of knowing how SWP organised and or stewarded events work and getting access to the microphone to pray during the speeches as we stood with several police lines and a "no mans land" between us and the other demo. I was not representing any group, apart from "Christians generally" and am not a SWP member, (because I think their are elements of their ideology which cannot easily be reconciled with Christianity), but used the opportunity to thank God for our multi cultural country, the unity of the different racial and religious groups represented and for those willing to stand up against injustice. I then prayed against the evil of the EDL. Note here I was not praying against the people but rather when I said "we pray against the EDL" I meant the organisation and the evil it represented through it's fear and misinformation etc.
This is not the first time I have prayed at a regional SWP stewarded event. When the Stop the War demo invaded Canterbury Cathedral's grounds I reminded the assembled crowd we were on holy ground and prayed for peace. The beauty of the SWP is they want to build bridges and show respect for minorities so they actually quiten down anybody who is about to heckel, etc. If anybody else has the opportunity I would encourage them to take the opportunity to engage in this type of public prayer. I have only done this at smaller local or regional events, but maybe recognised church leaders being prepared to stand up and pray like this at national demos may be something that could be done in the future.