UK: Racism and fascism (3)
01 January 1991
UK: Racism and fascism
artdoc November=1995
Focus on Combat 18
Followers of Combat 18 were behind the rioting that stopped a
friendly match between England and Ireland in Dublin in
February.
The violence of the English neo-nazis, who chanted "No
surrender to the IRA" and gave nazi salutes while hurling
seats on the pitch and attacking fans, has also drawn
attention to the links between C18 and loyalist organisations
like the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Freedom
Association. The neo-nazis, it is claimed, planned the
violence for almost three months as a protest against the
Northern Ireland peace process (Daily Express
17.2.95, Times 17.2.95).
British neo-nazis also attempted to disrupt a European
Cup Winners Cup match between Bruges and Chelsea in Belgium
but were overwhelmed by a massive police presence (Jewish
Chronicle 3.3.95).
According to the National Criminal Intelligence Service
Football Unit, C18 have targeted football fans at Swansea in
Wales for recruitment (Times 17.2.95).
A special squad, drawn from Metropolitan police special
units, including S01, international organised crime, has been
set up to investigate the activities of violent far-Right
organisations such as Combat 18. The move follows criticisms
of the poor response of Special Branch to C18 violence.
In January, Special Branch raided the homes of neonazis
in London and Essex, seizing racist propaganda and hit lists
of left targets. Last December, the editor of the anti-
fascist monthly Searchlight had a letter-bomb delivered to his
house (Jewish Chronicle 13.1.95, 3.3.94, Observer 8.1.95,
5.3.95).
Racist murder in Blackburn
Mushtaq Hussain, 49, was beaten to death in Great Harwood,
near Blackburn, Lancashire, by a gang of white youths who
racially abused him outside a pizza takeaway before setting
upon him. Two men, aged 17 and 18, have been charged with
manslaughter (Socialist Worker 11.2.95).
Man acquitted for part played in racist attack
A white man, John Rutter, charged with affray, was acquitted
by a unanimous decision from the jury for his part in a
vicious attack on Quddus Ali, a 17-year-old Bengali youth from
East London.
Quddus Ali was attacked by a gang of white youths in
September 1993. During the attack, Ali was kicked and stamped
upon until he lost consciousness. The attack left Ali brain
damaged and requiring constant care.
Rutter allegedly confessed his involvement in the attack
to a colleague at work, Carl Lynch. However, the jury was
advised not to trust Mr Lynch's testimony as he had previous
convictions for violence and dishonesty (Guardian 10, 11, 12,
13.1.95).
IRR European Race Audit, no 13, April 1995. Contact: Liz
Fekete, Institute of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London
WC1X 9HS. Tel: 0171 837 0041