Don't give BNP a platform, urges activist

By Louise Nousratpour in Liverpool
Sunday April 25, 2010
The Morning Star

TUC black workers conference: Black student activist Bellavia Ribeiro delivered a withering blow to arguments by some on the left that giving the fascist BNP a platform helps expose its poisonous ideology.

"We cannot debate away fascism," Ms Ribeiro told TUC black workers conference on Saturday, urging delegates to reaffirm their support for a "no platform" policy.

She demolished liberal arguments, supported by some unions, that the BNP should be given a platform under the principle of the freedom of speech.

"Our no-platform policy is not about stifling fascists' freedom of speech but to protect our freedom to exist," said Ms Ribeiro, who is the National Union of Students black students officer and anti-fascist campaign convener.

She warned that the BNP was "very active" in the student movement and reported an increase in racial tension and abuse on campuses in Stoke.

In her closing remarks, Ms Ribeiro urged delegates to take the anti-fascist message back to wider communities to ensure that "people realise that, if we don't vote in this election, the fascists will win."