Liverpool University has cancelled the Mayoral Debate scheduled for Thursday 19 April due to demonstrations called by anti-fascists. Liverpool Antifascists – followed by Unite Against Fascism – called the demonstrations in opposition to the platform given to candidates from the National Front, British National Party and English Democrats. We stand opposed to fascists as a point of principle, but in particular objected to their being given a platform for their politics of hate.

We consider it a victory that the debate has been cancelled, and that the reason given by the university was a fear of disruption underlines the need for direct action in the fight against fascism. However, the fascist candidates will still be standing for election on 3 May and still be looking to peddle their propaganda in Liverpool.

Therefore, we will still be assembling at Liverpool Guild of Students from 4.30pm to bring our anti-fascist message to the city.

The victory scored by fascists on February 18th showed the dangers of a purely reactive anti-fascist movement. In order to learn from that and become proactive, we will be taking this opportunity to rally and celebrate that our goal of no platform for fascists was in this instance successful. We ask everyone who was originally coming to the demonstration to still take the time to join us.

Liverpool Antifascists congratulates the Liverpool Guild of Students for their principled stand against racism and fascism in denying a platform to fascists. Liverpool University and all prospective mayoral candidates, however, have shown themselves to have no such principles and we declare that simply condemning fascism is not enough if you are still willing to take part in the same event as them rather than join in the action to deny them a platform. We hope that some, in particular those who consider themselves left wing, revise this position in future and put anti-fascist principle before electoral ambition.

Tell the fascists that they aren’t welcome in Liverpool. Support the rally on Thursday 19th April.

No pasarán!