The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign Supports the Durham Miners’ Association Stance Against Fascism

July 17, 2018 Simon

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign fully supports the decision of the Durham Miners Association not to allow a group of people from the far right group “For Britain” permission to march at the Durham Miners Gala. The organisers rightly felt that this group were intent on trying to sabotage the Big Meeting and promote their disturbing, xenophobic and bigoted views. It was an honour for us to be in attendance at the Gala to celebrate internationalism, collectivism, hope and unity and we condemn the attempts of this far right group to undermine this. We must never forget the politically motivated murder of Jo Cox MP, assassinated outside her constituency office 2 Years ago by a racist activist shouting ‘Britain First’ and the injuries sustained by the former Miner who tried to protect her. If we do not actively oppose the far right divisive, extremist agenda, their confidence will grow and our communities will suffer the consequences of an acute rise in fascism.

Durham Miners’ Association statement:

It has come to our attention that a video is being circulated on social media purporting to show the police escorting people from the Gala for flying the British flag. This claim is completely false. This was a group of activists from the far-right group “For Britain” who did not receive permission to march and were seeking to disrupt the proceedings and hijack the Big Meeting for their divisive, racist agenda. Therefore, the police took the decision to escort them from the racecourse for their own safety.

The Durham Miners’ Gala is now and has always been, a celebration of trade unionism, unity and internationalism.

We ask people not to be fooled by those who drape themselves in the British flag but who are in truth, promoting a far-right, extremist agenda.