Apathy claim over BNP rise
ANTI-RACISM campaigners are organising a conference to debate the rise of the British National Party on Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
They called for the debate during a public meeting at the North Staffordshire Racial Equality Centre, in Hanley, on Saturday.
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DEBATE: From left, Atiqur Rahman,Julia Barton, MP Mark Fisher and Gary McNally.
About 80 people attended the event, which invited residents, councillors and community leaders to put forward ideas on how to unite different sections of Stoke-on-Trent's communities and celebrate the city's diversity.
The meeting had been called by Unite Against Fascism and the North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism and Fascism.
Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Mark Fisher said: "It was a meeting way beyond my wildest dreams.
"Apathy in the city has allowed this thing to develop."
Campaigners are also planning days of action and Love Music Hate Racism cultural events in the run-up to a possible mayoral election in May.
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by Imran, Cobridge
Thursday, October 09 2008, 8:57AM
“Mark, you mean friendliest as long as the person is white!!!!!”
by Mark, Stoke
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 10:05PM
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh the BNP are coming.
The city will fall down around us.
Abandon all hope.
What is it with the people of this city. We have had useless councilors for years, who don't care about you or me, only what they can take off us and yet you still want to give them another chance.
I am Potteries born and bred and people from around the world comment on this city and it's people. We may not be the most attractive city in these fare isles but we are at the top of the league when it comes to friendliness and hospitality.
Wake up, open your eyes and think for yourselves instead of letting these leeches tell you what to do.”
by les, hanley
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 12:25PM
“Ruth,i did not miss the point and was commenting that mark got it right when saying people were fed up with decades of inept local goverment and local MP'S just on the gravy train.”
by Ruth, Normacot
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 10:31PM
“Shame you both missed the point of this meeting.
It was to show unity against one particular group, and showed that a larger group of mixed political parties can work together for the greater good.
The thought that the BNP may hold enough sway to do further damage in the city is frightening. No new business will come to the city as no business would want to be associated with an area that actively promoted racism. Its time that the electorate took a long hard look at possible outcomes.”
by les, hanley
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 5:19PM
“Well said mark,”