From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Anti-Nazi League (or ANL) is a far-left UK organisation opposed to what it describes as neo-Fascist individuals and groups. It developed in the 1970s as an attempt by the far-left to counter the National Front, and then again in the 1990s against various other far-right groups. In the 2000s, its main target has been the British National Party.
The ANL carries out leafletting and other campaigns against these groups, including protests, some of which have resulted in violence.
The ANL was linked to "Rock Against Racism" in the 1970s, and is heavily involved in a similar group, "Love Music Hate Racism", in the 2000s.
Critics accuse the ANL of being opposed to free speech, the most notable being the Pro-democracy league, which often holds counter demonstrations against the ANL.
On the 19th of May, 2002, for example, Julie Waterson (then ANL National Organiser) said "We have to forget ideas about freedom of speech", in reference to the groups that the ANL they oppose and wish to have banned.
Sir Paul Condon, the then Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said of an ANL protest in London in October, 1993:
The ANL begun as a United Front initiative on the part of the Socialist Workers Party, and it still retains close ties with this organisation - many of its officials also being SWP members or officials.
However in its first period, 1977-1981 it was ostensibly run by an elected committee nationally and similar committees throughout the country. Many trade unions sponsored it as did the Indian Workers Association, then a large organisation, and many members of the Labour Party such as Neil Kinnock. In 1981 with the eclipse of the National Front and collapse of the British Movement the ANL was wound up.
During the late 1970s it faced a major split when the even more radical Red action faction parted company from the main organisation due to ideological differences. Red action went on to form the "Anti-Fascist Action" group, or AFA, which is noted for its predeliction for violent confrontation. AFA has since had an entirely separate history of its own.
In 1992 the SWP leadership relaunched the Anti Nazi League due to the reconsolidation of far right groups in the British National Party and that party's electoral sucdcess. The ANL has recently affiliated with the Unite Against Racism group alongside other groups such as the National Assembly Against Racism.
The ANL's National Organiser and leader is Weyman Bennett, who is a high-ranking member of the Socialist Workers Party and on the National Executive of the Socialist Alliance.
Its previous National Organiser was Julie Waterson, who was also an active and high-ranking member of the SWP.
In May 2001 she wrote in the SWP's newpaper, the Socialist Worker:
Activites
In response the ANL claimed that, having prevented any exit from the area, mounted and riot police broke their own rules by charging the crowd.History
The ANL's Leadship
The ANL has close links with many Trade Unions, many of which have affiliated with it.External links
