Rise of the Far Right saw 15,000 protestors march through the streets of Manchester
22.07.2023 - 14:41
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
This month marked the 45th anniversary of an event that saw Mancunians of all colours and classes stand shoulder-to-shoulder against racism.
In 1978, Britain was feeling the economic pressure, lurching between oil crises and widespread strikes with industrial relations at an all-time low, the Winter of Discontent was approaching. It was an era when the far right, fascist political party the National Front had been making headway in Britain, and confrontations with anti-fascist supporters were on the rise.
Following the Carnival Against the Nazis which took place in London's Victoria Park earlier the same year, the idea for a similar concert in the north west was conceived by Bernie Wilcox of Rock Against Racism and Geoff Brown of the Anti-Nazi League.
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United by a love of music, reggae lovers, punks and skins came together for the Northern Carnival Against the Nazis on July 15, 1978. Tens of thousands of people marched to challenge the scapegoating narrative of racist groups like the National Front.
In the months before the event, the Rock Against Racism movement in Manchester had been galvanised by gigs - not just in student areas, but in Partington, Droylsden, Bury and Stretford (including The Fall’s show at Stretford Civic Hall, recorded for posterity on The Fall: Live 1977 album).
Flyposting and badges, with iconic Rock Against Racism and Anti Nazi League artwork, marketed the ‘Northern Carnival Against the Nazis’ on the streets. On the day itself, the Manchester Evening News reported that thousands took to the streets for a march said to be the biggest political demonstration in the north of England since the war.
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