Protesting York students targeted online
A former Executive Officer of the National Union of Students (NUS) and several York students have been targeted by a far right fascist website with links to the British National Party (BNP) and a history of encouraging violence.
Daniel Randall, former NUS Executive Officer, and several members of the York Socialist Students society had their photographs posted on Redwatch after an anti-fees rally at the University of York in week eight of last term.
Anti-fascist campaigners have condemned the targeting of the students and expressed concerns that a York student may have passed on details to the far right group. The photographs, originally taken by a Nouse photographer, were taken from a copyrighted website and passed onto Redwatch.
Redwatch, whose slogan is “Remember places, traitors’ faces, they’ll pay for their crimes” posts photographs and personal details of left-wing activists and anti-fascist campaigners. The website made news on campus when Nouse reported in January that a York academic and several students were targeted whilst attending an anti-war demonstration.
Randall said, “Being targeted by a disgusting Nazi website such as Redwatch isn’t pleasant but it’s not particularly surprising. Several of my comrades have appeared on Redwatch before and I’m sure we will again in the future.
“Although Redwatch’s contributors are probably limited to a few sociopathic Hitler-fetishists behind computers, the growing strength of the BNP may create an atmosphere in which white-power activists feel more confident about coming out of cyberspace and onto the streets.”
A senior member of the Socialist Students, who requested to remain anonymous to ensure his safety, said, “It concerns me more that there are people at the University of York who want to contribute to an openly fascist website than it does that I have appeared on it.”
Redwatch has a history of encouraging violence. In May 2006, Alan McFadden, a Liverpool Trade Union Congress leader, was seriously wounded in a knife attack by a Redwatch supporter after appearing on the site.
Ben Drake, chair of York City pressure group Unite Against Fascism said “Redwatch has obvious criminal intent, its not subtle, there is no other reason to post than to intimidate. The students involved should complain both to the police and the University.”
Photographs of several other students have also appeared on Redwatch. The students, who were pictured at a demonstration last term, have declined to comment, citing personal safety concerns.
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