Brighton Gay parade 2007 - a Second Report .
Violence flares at Brighton Mardi Gras.
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Brighton Gay parade 2007 - a Second Report .
Violence flares at Brighton Mardi Gras.
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On Saturday 4th August members and supporters of the National Front were attacked in front of the police while attempting to hold a peaceful protest which had been arranged with the Sussex police a month previous. Eleven demonstrators met just outside Brighton town centre, including two elderly members and three young supporters. The police offered no support at the rendezvous point, and as soon as they realised that one of our people was familiar with the carnival route we were left on our own to make our way through a town centre where mobs of homosexuals had gathered on the streets.
When finally reaching Baker Street, where we were told to protest, two pathetic police officers were sent only after our request to the inspector in charge. There were no police barriers or police cameras that one would expect, leaving the protestors exposed to being attacked. When the NF set up their banners a crowd of violent homosexuals attacked the protestors and a fight broke out. Three of our banners were stolen in front of the police, as were two placards and two cameras. A full bottle was thrown into the face of one nationalist breaking his glasses, which could have resulted in more serious injuries. The two police officers made no arrests or even made an attempt to identify the attackers. Twenty minutes later when the police back-up arrived a mob of perverts were making throat-slitting signs at the NF. When members responded back verbally they were threatened with arrest.
When the parade started to pass us by, we could see headlining the event, at the very front of the parade, what appeared to be half of Sussex police force, both male and female. A shut down GPA (Gay Police Association) placard was held up, the only remaining item we had left, as they passed by. No longer having a means to make a visible protest we decided to abandon the demonstration and leave . As we began to move off around twelve police officers took and smashed our six wooden banner props, ensuring that we had no means of defence should we be attacked again.
The assault on the National Front was carried out with the support of the Sussex police. This will not deter the NF, we will be demonstrating against the Manchester Pride Parade on Saturday August 25th. Phone 078497 486 05 for more details.