At the North East Anarchists, we would like to announce that we have proscribed the
Socialist Workers Party/Unite Against Fascism. ---- This means that we will not work with
the SWP/UAF as an organisation, we will not accept SWP/UAF members as members of NEA and
that we will not accept SWP/UAF members attending our meetings. ---- We intend this to
apply locally as well as nationally. ---- Whilst we recognise there may very well be some
well intentioned and well-meaning members of the SWP/UAF on Teeside, we would like to say
to them is leave the SWP/UAF like so many others have done in the wake of Deltagate. If
such individual SWP/UAF activists choose to remain SWP/UAF members then we can not work
with them no matter how well meaning and well intentioned they are as individual
activists. We hope that they will make the right choice and choose to leave the SWP/UAF.
The SWP/UAF are an organisation which has attempted to cover-up allegations of rape and
sexual assault within their own ranks. Many people left the SWP/UAF for this very reason
and now many refuse to work with them outright.
We believe that the SWP/UAF's record in this area is totally out of order and speaks a lot
for people who refuse or will refuse to leave this very sexist structure. At the North
East Anarchists we totally condem sexism and patriarchy in any form, in both ideas and
practice. The SWP/UAF have tried tirelessly to excuse its position on the way it handled
the rape/sexual assault allegations and with this in mind, we find it unacceptable to work
with them.
We believe that we simply can not create a safe space and inclusive working environment
for women in tandem with "uniting" with the SWP/UAF, locally or nationally. Bullying, and
manipulation has been endemic within the SWP too, as they believe the ends justify the
means. However, we think the means are our ends, and the practice (the means) condition
the outcomes of political practice (ends).
No organisation is pure and the anarchist scene is certainly
not immune to sexist and patriarchical behaviour but
sexism is at the core of the SWP/UAF and it has never
been more apparent than since the rape/sexual assault
allegations came to light. Ignorance and petty loyalty (Or
any other excuse for that matter) is no longer an excuse for
remaining in the SWP/UAF. To remain in those organisations
is an acceptance and tolerance of sexist and patriarchical
values such as, rape apology and victim blaming.
Also, the SWP/UAF have on a number of occasions worked with the police, even keeping vital
information from militants and even their stewards handing militants to the police on
demos. The most recent example of SWP/UAF/police collaboration is the Tower Hamlets 286
case last year.
At the North East Anarchists our outreach creates a broad grouping of diverse opinions and
methods, because the working class is diverse with wide ranging and sometimes
contradictory consciousness, which includes people of different left orientations. So we
welcome former members of the SWP/UAF to join and work with us and encourage any remaining
members to leave an organisation which is on it's knees anyway.
There is absolutely no place for sexism and patriarchical bullshit in the anti-fascist
movement.
For solidarity with victims of sexual abuse and women
fighting against this sexist and patriarchal system!
Solidarity forever! No Pasaran,
North East Anarchists
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