Bound for nowhere: Fascist band calls off gig

An American neo-nazi band who were planning to hold one of the “largest white power concerts ever held in Scotland” have cancelled their trip, after a public outcry.

On Sunday (October 16), neo-nazi thrash metal band Bound for Glory pulled out of the gig, which was due to take place in Falkirk on October 22, citing “travel concerns”.

The decision was made following a campaign by anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate, who called on home secretary Amber Rudd to prevent the band’s entry into the UK and on the Scottish government to cancel the gig.

If the gig had gone ahead, Hope Not Hate founder Nick Lowes said, more than 400 neo-nazis, mostly from England and Germany, would have been in attendance for the biggest ‘white power’ concert ever held on Scottish soil.

Instead, after over 1,700 people contacted their MPs and MSPs and Scotland’s justice secretary, Michael Matheson, said he was “considering every option” to prevent the band playing, Bound for Glory decided to stay put and cancel the gig.

Commenting on the cancellation, Lowes said that “in Scotland generally at the moment, there seems to be more of a public rejection of racism” and that “it was huge victory for people power.”

The victory is welcome news after hate crime across UK spiked by 41 per cent in the days following the EU referendum. The number of incidents has now fallen but still remains significantly higher than the levels recorded last year, new figures show.

Insidiously banal

Hope Not Hate communications director, Nick Ryan, said the reason for the increase in hate crimes – which are not generally being committed by organised far-right groups similar to those that would have attended the Bound for Glory concert – is insidiously banal.

“The increase isn’t because there are now more racists in Britain. Rather, the people who held those views to begin with now feel more comfortable expressing them in public,” said Ryan.

“Nor do we think these incidents are being organised by far right groups, although they, as well as some mainstream politicians and the media, have certainly contributed to the current climate.”

A recent report on the UK by the European Commission against racism and intolerance also highlighted a “number of areas of concern” regarding xenophobic rhetoric in politics and the media.

The report cited David Cameron’s use of the word ‘swarm’ to describe migrants, Nigel Farage’s statement about “muslims who want to form a fifth column and kills us” and the Sun newspaper’s publication of column that likened migrants to ‘cockroaches’.

Unite national officer for equalities Harish Patel, said the government to get its priorities straight after using intolerant language.

“Turning immigration not only into an issue but a “problem” was a dangerous game played by the government and the far right including UKIP.

“Immigration is neither an issue nor a problem but exploitation, is, racial harassment and discrimination, is. These are what we have witnessed over the years and have demanded their elimination or steps by the government towards this goal. These are the real ‘issues’ and ‘problems’,” Patel said.

“It is shameful that we are witnessing racism, abuse, threats and physical harm on our streets, schools and workplaces. How can we then call ourselves a civilised country that wants to preserve so called ‘British values’.

“Unite’s values are unity, equality, trade union rights and solidarity and this government should stop pandering to the likes of Ukip and do its job of protecting and improving the rights and dignity of all those living and working in this country.”

‘Don’t suffer in silence’

Has post-Brexit abuse affected you? If so Harish Patel advises, “If you have had racist abuse at work you should inform your Unite rep and the employer (– or just Unite if this is more appropriate in the circumstances).

“If you’ve had racist abuse outside of work please still tell your Unite rep and the police too if you are able to. These crimes have skyrocketed but we believe many more go unreported.

“Our Unite reps are trained in zero tolerance issues  and we have regional equalities organisers  who can advise them. Don’t suffer in silence.”