IT WAS FANTASTIC. That is the only way to describe last Sunday's carnival. After months of racist propaganda; after massive publicity for the fascists on television; after growing attacks on blacks, this was the best possible response. A new generation of anti-fascists showed their colours. What better way could there have been to celebrate the tenth anniversary of 1968.
The carnival did not fall out of the sky, It was organised. The Anti Nazi League and Rock Against Racism were the sparks that ignited the anti-fasciat fire. politics and culture was vital in offering an alternative to the tens of thousands of youth who carried ANL banners and placards on Sunday.
But a further point also needs to be stressed. Nazi League did not fall out of the sky either, it was an Initative undertaken and launched by the comrades of the Socialist Workers Party. They threw the resources and political weight of their organisation to build the League: and ensure the organisation necessary to carnival.
True, they were not the only force, but without them this event would not have taken place. sectarianism to try and underplay this fact.
The problem which now arises is how the ANL is going to bulld on the success of the carnival. It would be a tragedy If the enthusiasm of last Sunday were to be dissipated, An Important factor which ensured the success of the carnival non-exclusive character and SWP should compare this to the narrow way in which they organised their Right to Work campaign.
Thia has to be institutionalised at every lovel of the ANL This means bullding the League as a broad, single-Issue organisation at the local as well as the national level. It also means allowing local groups a fair amount of autonomy in terms of activity and encouraging the affiliation of groups like the All London Teachers Against Racism and Fasciam instead of erecting organisational impediments.
It is now obvious that the ANL needs a conference of ita active can share apprehensions of the SWP in relation to such a conference becoming a bear-garden and alienating League supponers because of sectarian bickering. A conference devoted to discussing whether or not the ANL Is a 'popular front or similar rubbish would, in our opinion, However, what does need to be discussed is what the central focus of the League should be.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament had a clear focus. It sought to capture the Labour Party and fight in the The Vietnam Solidarity Campaign. focus: The American embasny in Grosvenor Square The ANL needs to discuss where it is going and now. Such a discussion will be of immonse practical importance in the coming months. What Iles ahead is probably the most vicious General Election in postwar British history. The Anti Nazi League has to organise its troops 1o intervene in this period throughout the country. At the same time it needs to organise cement the new alliance so brilliantly brought about by Rock Against Racism.
The fusion of The Anti bulld the It would be crass comrades disastrous.
too, had a Tocal carnivals and discos to further *no fun. TOM ROBINSON addresses 1 IT WAS a day they will write songs about. We will look back on 30 April 1978 in years to come and say "Remember...."
Remember the day that 80,000 people stood up, danced, sang, marched and smiled defiance. Defiance not just at the Nazis, their politics of fear, ranting and Defiance too at the establishment politicians, who, for the last six months, have been falling over each other to play the 'white card" - Luton nate not