Anti-Nazi League

The Anti-Nazi League (ANL) was an organisation set up in 1977 to oppose the rise of "far-right" groups in Britain. It was at its height between 1977 and 1981.

History

In its first period, 1977-1982, the Anti-Nazi League was run by an elected committee nationally and similar committees throughout the country. Many trade unions sponsored it as did the Indian Workers Association (then a large organisation), and many members of the Labour Party and MPs such as Neil Kinnock.

Related Topics:
1977 - 1982 - Trade union - Indian Workers Association - Labour Party - Neil Kinnock

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The Anti-Nazi League was best known for the two giant Rock Against Racism carnivals of 1978: involving bands such as The Clash and Tom Robinson, they saw 80,000 and then 100,000 people protest against the National Front.

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One of the ANL's members was Blair Peach, a teacher from New Zealand specialising in working with children with special needs, who was killed in April 1979 following a demonstration at Southall.

Related Topics:
Blair Peach - New Zealand - Special needs

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A small National Front election meeting was taking place in central Southall. As the ANL counter-demonstration was dissolving members of the Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group charged a section of the protestors leaving the area among them Blair Peach. During this Blair Peach received a blow to the head. The Anti-Nazi League alleged that this was from a police truncheon but this has never been proved. During the investiogation into his death various illegal articles were found in the lockers of the SPG unit concerned including weighted truncheons.

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An inquest jury later returned a verdict of misadventure over Mr Peach's death.

Related Topics:
Inquest - Jury - Verdict - Misadventure

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He remains a symbolic figurehead for the ANL and campaigns continue to have a public inquiry into his death. A primary school in Southall bears his name.

Related Topics:
Public inquiry - Primary school

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In 1981 with the eclipse of the National Front and collapse of the British Movement the initial incarnation of the ANL was wound up.

Related Topics:
1981 - British Movement

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Some elements within the ANL opposed the winding up of the organisation especially those described by the Socialist Workers Party as Squadists. After being expelled from the Socialist Workers Party some of these elements formed Red Action and with others organised Anti-Fascist Action, who had a much more open view to using violence.

Related Topics:
Socialist Workers Party - Squadists - Red Action - Anti-Fascist Action

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But in 1992 the Socialist Workers Party relaunched the Anti-Nazi League due to the rise of the British National Party and that party's electoral success. In 2004 the ANL affiliated with the Unite Against Fascism group alongside other groups such as the National Assembly Against Racism.

Related Topics:
1992 - Socialist Workers Party - Unite Against Fascism - National Assembly Against Racism

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