First As Tragedy, Then As Farce
Rummaging through some old papers today, I came across a 1994 pamphlet by the Indian Workers Association (IWA), critiquing the Anti-Racist Alliance.
The ARA, for those that have forgotten, was an 'anti-racist' organisation dominated by Marc Wadsworth and Lee Jasper. At that time there were countless organisations in this field - the Anti-Nazi League, Youth Against Racism in Europe, Campaign Against Fascism in Europe, and at the more militant end, Anti-Fascist Action. None survive to this day, despite fascism being stronger electorally today than ever before in British history.
The creation of ARA was quite poorly received - the last thing that was needed was another organisation fighting racism and fascism. The ARA did however serve a purpose - on the day of the mass march on the BNP's Welling headquarters in 1993, ARA decided to hold a rival march in central London, thus taking thousands of people away from a flashpoint area. And people wonder why Lee Jasper went on to get the rewards he has from the political establishment!
A keen supporter of Jasper's in this era was Ken Livingstone, then an MP. I can do no better than to quote the IWA on this loving couple:
"Wherever there is a black separatist, one can be sure of the presence of a white liberal lurking around the corner to give a helping hand to his disadvantaged black brother".
That is just what Livingstone has been done for Lee Jasper for a very long time. And rather nicely they have both done out of the relationship. Oh, and whatever happened to Mr Wadsworth?
I remember that day, it was on the anniversary of Harper's Ferry wasn't it?
Somehow I think John Brown & co might have had a few choice words to say about a last-minute speakers-and-clapping protest at Trafalgar Square called to split a large militant gathering aimed at physically confronting a racist political party on the same day :D
Even the RCP nutters turned up at Plumstead Common, even if only to dissuade people from going on it...
Posted by: BristleKRS | February 03, 2008 at 09:46 PM
A claim by TheBigRetort that Lee Jasper, former advisor to Mayor Ken Livingstone, was convicted of assaulting a police officer in 1981, appears to have been blocked on the worldwide web.
Mr Jasper, born in Oldham, was then aged 22.
TheBigRetort had asked if the degree that transformed Mr Jasper's life during that time led to his eventual role as "police" advisor to the Mayor, and if Ken Livingstone knew of the conviction.
But who blocked TheBigRetort scoop?
Neither Google or Digg.com were available for comment.
Posted by: Against Censorchip | March 11, 2008 at 08:53 PM