Mobilise workers to defeat racism
The need for a workers’ defence movement
09 August 2024
Last Saturday’s demonstrations and subsequent racist attacks across South Belfast, and the growing threat in many other areas, represent a serious threat to workers.
We should be clear about what’s going on. The driving force behind this is Loyalism, trying to latch on to the English riots. A temporary alliance with a few Dublin and local nationalist thugs should not confuse anyone.
This was a very small mobilisation, no more than a few hundred, but it was a significant victory. They were able to target people, homes and businesses across South Belfast without hindrance.
It was a victory handed to them on a plate. At no stage did the police confront or try to restrain the racists. This isn’t a matter of being caught by surprise. The Sandy Row group have been carrying on a campaign of racist for years. The recent Twelfth saw significant attacks on migrants.
All the Stormont parties have been quick to denounce the violence while offering full support the PSNI enablers despite their ongoing refusal to confront loyalism.
The coalition of trade unionists, NGOs and political groups who turned out at Belfast City Hall on Saturday are to be commended, but they came under attack and were unable to respond even while outnumbering the Loyalists ten to one.
Yet the residents of the lower Ormeau Road were able to turn out and force the mob to depart. They did so immediately. Muslim areas in England have formed self-defence groups willing to confront the Fascists. Working people have the power to face down the Fascists. Our goal should be to support the formation of workers defence groups.
The workers won’t mobilise around liberal demands. In the face of fascism, calls that refugees are welcome here or in support of diversity are completely inadequate.
At the moment working people are facing a collapse in their standards of living. The Fascists are playing a standard ploy: aim at an oppressed layer, split the workers and divert discussion from the capitalist offensive and towards our fellow workers. A true defence will begin with confronting the Fascists and go on to confront the capitalists hidden behind the smoke and fire of riot.