Griffin and BNP strategy

[ViolentPanda]

i didnt wanto tell you this but you're not really mine! either of you! i found you in a handbag in a cloakroom!

A Haaandbaaaag???!!!

 

[claphamboy]

 

[Joe Reilly]

ie cable street.

After a near century of anti-fascist prixis that only one occassion meets the desired paradigm does rather give the game away. To adhere
to such a philosophy would render effective anti-fascism utterly impotent; the type of 'flabby pacifism' to quote old Leon, that serves as a recruiting
sergeant for the other side. In short the type of anti-fascist opponent that if they didn't exist the fascist (if only in order to blood the troops) might be tempted to invent.

 

[malatesta32]

From memory, Evelyn Anderson's "Hammer or Anvil - The Story of the German Working Class Movement". Goes into the fact that because the original union strike vote fell just short of the legal trigger point for strike (75%), the strike was unofficial and therefore gave wriggle room for the political opportunism of the Nazis, although (as I said) this wasn't tolerated by all the strikers, and toleration wore progressively thinner as the strike stretched over its' 5 day course.

just got the book and anderson confirms the joint effort and that it pissed off all manner of folks. not seen anything to counter it yet! anyone else any ideas?

 

[malatesta32]

This is yet anothe carefully cultivated Trot myth. There was no 'joint' transport strike. It was communist led - the Nazis, fearful of working class opinion, sent supporters to the picket lines in order to emphasise their socialist as against nationalist credentials.

joe yout got ANY source that confirms this? according to anderson the TU leaders backed out, communists called out workers and were collecting with some nazis (p147).

 

[malatesta32]

even rosenhaft is a bit vague on it, pointing out that there were 114 each of kpd and nazis arrested but doesnt seem to say that it was for fighting between themselves. (2008, 176). arse.

 

[Joe Reilly]

even rosenhaft is a bit vague on it, pointing out that there were 114 each of kpd and nazis arrested but doesnt seem to say that it was for fighting between themselves. (2008, 176). arse.

I don't have references for 2000 article to hand, however in my opinion it's not historically important. The transport strike is flagged up by KPD detractors, from both left and right as part of wider attack on physical force anti-fascism in general.

Here the grandly proclaim is the photographic evidence of widespread and routine collusion between the the Stalinists and the Nazis. The underlying liberal message being that at the end of the day, there is will always be a hidden symmetry, between the violent extremes, with one side being hardly any better, or more moral than the other.

But of course the fact that this singular incident has gained such notoriety is proof in itself that there was no such collusion.

 

[TremulousTetra]

After a near century of anti-fascist prixis that only one occassion meets the desired paradigm does rather give the game away. To adhere
to such a philosophy would render effective anti-fascism utterly impotent; the type of 'flabby pacifism' to quote old Leon, that serves as a recruiting
sergeant for the other side.

LOL good job SW has never taken a pacifist stance then.[or substitutionism ]

In short the type of anti-fascist opponent that if they didn't exist the fascist (if only in order to blood the troops) might be tempted to invent.

or the state

 

[malatesta32]

I don't have references for 2000 article to hand, however in my opinion it's not historically important. The transport strike is flagged up by KPD detractors, from both left and right as part of wider attack on physical force anti-fascism in general.
Here the grandly proclaim is the photographic evidence of widespread and routine collusion between the the Stalinists and the Nazis. The underlying liberal message being that at the end of the day, there is will always be a hidden symmetry, between the violent extremes, with one side being hardly any better, or more moral than the other.
But of course the fact that this singular incident has gained such notoriety is proof in itself that there was no such collusion.

thanks joe. its just that i have come across 3 references and wd like to counter it notably
hammer or anvil which has kpd/nazis 'arm in arm and shouting in agreed rhythm' (1945, p148),
it is a way of discrediting militant antifascist activity and, as i think someone mentioned earlier, exactly the same as SWP did telling of squads drinking in the same pub as the NF in islington. (BtF, 56)
rosenhaft - who is more trustworty - doesnt mention it. odd that.

 

[butchersapron]

Part of the KPD leadership did make a very short lived attempt to appeal to unemployed and working class nazi supporters by aping their method of propaganda. In the case of the transport strike there was no joint work no joint committees nothing beyond the nazis trying to jump on the success (in relative terms) of a mass KPD inspired anti-official union wildcat in order to bolster failing w/c support a few days before the election. It did not mean the period was one of KPD/nazi collaboration, but of sections of mass parties desperately coming up local tactics on the hoof. The wider use of the story today is nailed by joe above.

 

[malatesta32]

yeah, it seems that the nsdap saw it as a potential recruiting opportunity and to consolidate its 'radical' stance to other workers. thanks loads for clarifying!

 

[butchersapron]

BNP not contesting their final remaining seat in may elections.

Marsden on Pendle Borough Council btw