Press Release – for immediate release 1 July 2024 Anti racists in Britain call on French anti fascists to use their vote against the fascist RN and build a mass movement against fascism, racism and the far right It cannot be stressed enough how drastically horrifying the results are for round one in the French election: the fascist Rassemblement Nationale (RN) has taken 33 percent of the vote, and on a high turnout, while the leftwing Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) alliance came second with 28 percent. Macron’s Ensemble alliance and allies secured 22.4 per cent of the vote. Next Sunday, round two could see, if it follows this pattern, a fascist RN prime minister in Jordon Bardella. In the 2022 French presidential election, fascist Marine Le Pen and the RN took 23 percent of the vote in round one, and 41 percent of the vote in round two. Anti racists in Britain call on French voters to use their vote next Sunday to stop the fascist RN. Stand Up To Racism sends it’s solidarity to anti fascists campaigning hard in France to stop the fascist RN, and look to the mass protests that have followed the exit polls as showing the potential to mobilise mass opposition. Anti racism, opposition to Islamophobia, and defence of migrant and refugee rights must be at the heart of a mass anti fascist movement. The RN’s immigration policy includes: – Removal of all exemptions that prevent the expulsion of foreigners. – Removal of birthright citizenship – a practice that for centuries has granted citizenship to those born in France to foreign parents once they reach 18 – Imposing restrictions on family reunification by imposing tougher visa conditions. The alarming results of round one of the election in France come on the back of deeply disturbing results of the European Elections three weeks ago. Here in Britain, the news of the fascist RN’s success in round one of the French elections comes just days before a general election that could see Nigel Farage and the racist Reform UK party breaking through, with Farage becoming an MP. This comes off the back of racist policies and rhetoric pushed by Rishi Sunak’s Tory government, and with stop the boats policies echoed by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has declined to support the safe passage policy to open legal and safe routes to Britain for asylum. Denis Goddard, Parisien anti racist and anti fascist campaigner, said from Place de Le République, With fascist Tommy Robinson set to attempt to “take over” central London on 27 July, anti racists stress it is imperative in this context that the whole trade union and wider anti racist movement, MPs and politicians across the political spectrum, faith organisations, campaigns and organisations come together in unity to oppose the threat of the growth of fascist forces in Britain. Stand Up To Racism says the French exit polls, like the European election results, are a stark warning, a ringing alarm bell – we must not let it happen here and must build unity on the streets to stop to growth of fascism and the far right. Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism co-convenor said, “The Nazis could have been stopped. The rise of fascism in Italy, in Spain, could have been stopped. We must learn from history. “Tonight there are huge numbers on the streets of France, offering the hope and the embers of a movement that can drive back the threat of fascist Le Pen and RN, and the far right. And in Germany, 70,000 anti fascists blockaded the far right AfD conference. “In Britain the anti fascist and anti racist movement managed to block each attempt to create a fascist movement – from the NF, to the BNP, the EDL, and fascist Tommy Robinson’s football lads alliance five years ago. “Now, after driving the far right and fascist movement in Britain into the fringes, the toxic mix racist policies and rhetoric pushed by governments and echoed by Starmer’s opposition, has allowed the space for Farage and Reform UK to gain traction. And fascist Tommy Robinson is on the march again. “We must look to France, tremble with the possibilities – both from the threat of fascists in power and to the mass anti fascist protests erupting on the streets – and tremble too with the indignation that racists, the far right and fascists cannot be allowed to take our streets.” Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up To Racism co convenor said, “Sadly the exit poll showing the RN on 34% in the French National Assembly elections is not surprising after decades of mainstream parties pandering to its agenda by implementing Islamophobic and racist policies. “This is yet another illustration that you can’t out-racist racists. The only way to defeat the RN is to challenge Islamophobia & racism and unite against them. “We call on French voters to vote New Popular Front to stop the RN in next week’s second round.” “We are witnessing polarisation: at the electoral box now it is close to a symmetry – around 9 millions votes for the fascists and for the left. On the electoral ground this symmetry is not favourable for our class – the working class – since the right forces prefer the fascists. This means that the second round is not predictable. “But in the streets, in the workplaces there is no symmetry. There is our power as demonstrated again this saturday by magnificent pride demonstrations, and by demonstrations on Sunday night after the results. There is our power that has to be mobilised and built right now and for whatever may happen tomorrow.” Samira Ali, Stand Up To Racism campaigners lead in Clacton, said, “The election results in France, following the gains for the far right across Europe, must wake up every anti racist to the threat of Farage and Reform UK here in Britain. “Nazi BNP supporters have been exposed within the Reform ranks, and Farage has been endorsed by fascist, ‘Tommy Robinson’, himself. Tommy Robinson attempting to “takeover” London in July shows Britain is not immune from the processes we’re witnessing in France and across Europe, and fascists everywhere will be emboldened by a victory for the FN. “Anti racists cannot be complacent now, it’s time to unite and get organised against the far right threat.” For further information & interviews please contact: SUTR OFFICE: info@standuptoracism.org.uk DETAILS OF STAND UP TO RACISM’S ANTI RACIST & ANTI FASCIST CAMPAIGNING DURING THE ELECTION: https://standuptoracism.org.uk/campaign-materials-for-the-general-election-stop-farage-in-clacton-stop-reform-uk-kick-racism-out-of-the-election-dont-vote-nazi/ ShareShareForward SET UP A REGULAR OR ONE OFF DONATION TODAY To find your local Stand Up To Racism group, visit standuptoracism.org.uk and check the list on the left of the page. SEND US AN EMAIL Follow us on social media to keep up with us |