Barnet Green Party have issued the following statement about the neo-Nazi demonstration due to take place in Golders Green on Saturday.
We at Barnet Green Party are shocked and appalled
that a small group of neo-Nazis have called an anti-Semitic demonstration in
Golders Green on Saturday 4th July 2015.
This is an act of deliberate provocation against the Jewish community who have
lived in - and provided an important contribution to - both the local area and
the British way of life since their arrival along with the Normans in 1070. It
is particularly repugnant in the year that marks the 70th anniversary of the
liberation of Auschwitz.
This is not solely a matter for Jewish people but for all who believe in
democracy, tolerance, freedom of faith, and who oppose Nazism. In a climate of
growing anti-Semitism across Europe, we urge all communities to come together
to roundly oppose their presence.
For this reason Barnet Green Party and our members - many of whom are Jewish -
will be among those joining the counter-protests next weekend, including Adele
Ward, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Finchley and Golders Green in the
general election.
Adele said: “It's completely unacceptable that a neo-Nazi demonstration is
being permitted in Golders Green, where many have been affected by the
suffering of the Holocaust, and where it will be particularly frightening for
children. Although freedom of expression is important, there is a point where
it becomes incitement to hatred and this demonstration crosses that line. The
government should have banned this from happening in Golders Green.”
We stand with the Jewish community at this time and reiterate our opposition to
all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and oppression. We will meet
at midday outside Golders Green tube station so do join us.
We are reminded of the slogan used by British anti-fascists who came out onto
the streets to successfully prevent Oswald Mosley and the British Union of
Fascists from marching through the East End of London in a similar act of
intimidation against its Jewish community in 1936.
“They shall not pass.”
