BBC News Saturday, May 1, 1999 Marchers show defiance to bombers Gay men gather in Soho to show thier defiance Hundreds of people have joined a march through central London to protest against the extreme right's nail bomb campaign. About 1,000 people took part in the march from Brixton, scene of the first blast, to Downing Street and then onto Trafalgar Square for a rally. They chanted "Nazi scum off our streets" as they set off. A letter from the Lambeth branch of the Unison trade union was handed in at Downing Street for Prime Minister Tony Blair. Before the march, there were a number of speeches, including some by members of the Kurdish community and an anti-Pinochet Chilean exile. Angela Mason, director of the gay rights group Stonewall, told demonstrators the bombers were revealing how marginalised they were by resorting to violence. "Their bombing and terrorist campaigns are the campaigns of political frustration," she said. "We know in this society that very slowly, and after great struggle, people are becoming more tolerant and accepting." The march had been scheduled before the Soho bombing. It was organised by groups including Unison, the Anti-Nazi League and the Movement for Justice, which was set up in the aftermath of the bungled police inquiry into Stephen Lawrence murder. However, the protesters planned to finish their demonstration by marching through Soho in a show of solidarity with the gay community. Movement for Justice spokesman Alex Owolade said: "It is not an accident that the latest bombing was in Soho, the heart of the lesbian and gay community. "The racists and fascists are smart. They are trying to build their base on the backlash against the Stephen Lawrence inquiry." -- EA News Update May 1 25,000 people attended a protest march and rally this afternoon following the nail bomb in Soho last night. A vigil will be held tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon in Soho Square, London. The Gay Men's Chorus and other community groups are inviting people to pay their respects and listen to 'guest speakers'. For further details contact Steve Bustin, on 07803 729 208 An on-line condolence book has been set up for people wishing to pay their respects and give their views (http://www.diversity.org.uk/soho/). Thanks to Nigel Whitfield for providing this, and for the other news links he has provided through Digital Diversity. Her Majesty the Queen has conveyed her condolences to the victims family, and the Home Secretary and Party leaders have condemned the bombers. Their quotes: www.diversity.org.uk/eanews/quotes.htm More details are on the EA News Website, will be continue to be updated. - www.diversity.org.uk/eanews/hot1.htm Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
