Manchester Antifascist Alliance (MAFA) news, events and actions.

Following on from the massively successful launch meetings and benefit night MAFA continues it’s activities over the summer with a number of activities and events.

Get in touch via  manchesterafa@hotmail.com for more info.

Here are your starters for ten….

SUNDAY 1st AUGUST: Break The Banks Hulme community barbeque.

Organised by Manchester Climate Action in the run up to this years Climate Camp, a community barbeque will be held on Sunday from 3-9pm at Birley Fields (on Streford Road, just over the arch) . MAFA will have a presence to support the event and the Hulme community.

SATURDAY 14TH AUGUST:Manchester community outreach/flyering.

Continuing with our commitment to having a strong presence in our communities and offering support and reassurance that fascists amongst us won’t be tolerated, MAFA activists will be out on the streets of a local area where some of us are based flyering and talking to local residents. Get in touch via  manchesterafa@hotmail.com for more details.

SATURDAY 28TH AUGUST: Opposing the EDL in Bradford.

The EDL intend to march on the streets of Bradford at the end of the summer in an attempt to inflame tensions, provoke the local Asian community and support the cheap booze and snide Lacoste industries.. MAFA will be there. Contact us to get involved.

September will be another busy period with more community outreach work, collaboration with other local groups and supporting campaigns, another mass meeting, possibly a film night, another benefit (oh yes!) and some rather fancy materials hitting the streets (MAFA tea cosy anyone….?)

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A special message going out as well to our good comrades Tonino and Foggiano in Naples, Italy who a couple of days ago got nicked and are currently still banged up for their involvement in the action against the fascists of Casapound in Quarto, Napoli last year on the 1st of May. UAGLIU, NON MOLLARE!

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MAFA is a network in which anti-fascists from all over the Greater Manchester area join together to oppose fascism physically and ideologically in all it's forms via direct action, information sharing and movement building activities. The main principles of MAFA which sets it apart from other similar groups are listed below.

* GRASS ROOTS ACTIVISM – Parachuting in loads of students then disappearing does not solve anything. We need to get active and visible in our communities regularly, not just in the run up to elections. Get in touch – there are roles for everyone. If we all get involved we can make Manchester fash-free again.

* REAL DEMOCRACY – Anyone who agrees with our principles can become involved. Consensus rather that committee.

* AFFILIATED TO A NETWORK IN A FEDERAL STRUCTURE – Having a top-down structure stifles enthusiasm and spontaneity. It also means infiltration by either the state or political enemies can be catastrophic, hence the pantomime UAF has become, its leaders bent over a barrel by the police.

* NO CLAIMING FALSE VICTORIES – A willingness to state what is, and self-criticism is vital if we are to learn from the errors of the past.

* NO COLLABORATING WITH POLICE / STATE / BOURGEOIS POLITICIANS OR REACTIONARY CONSERVATIVE FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS – No hypocrisy, no contradicting principles.

* FIGHT FOR WORKERS' RIGHTS – Pro-working class, not just anti-fascist. Making people realise who their real enemies and oppressors are.

* COMBAT RACISM OPPRESSION & FASCISM IDEOLOGICALLY AND IN THE STREETS – A two-pronged offensive. Long term: Community work, hearts & minds. Short term: Defend what needs defending. Disrupt what needs disrupting. Resist what needs resisting. Offer alternatives to the misguided.