Protest against Nick Griffin’s BBC appearence
The cluster of protesters included representatives from various unions and university student groups stood against the decision to allow BNP leader Nick Griffin a platform on national television last Thursday. Several speakers shared their views with the crowd outside the Pacific Quay Building.
Labour councillor Jim Sharkey said: “Remember, they’re a party who if you beat them in the argument, they will come back and beat you with a truncheon. That’s the difference between them and any other party.”
Scottish Human Rights lawyer, Aamer Anwar said: “You don’t beat them by debating with a convicted Jew hating Holocaust denier who says he wants to build an organisation that defends rights for whites [on a programme] courtesy of Director General Mark Thompson.”
When asked by David Dimbleby during Question Time if he had ever denied the Holocaust, Nick Griffin replied that he did not have a conviction for Holocaust denial.
Dave Sherry, Branch Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: “The BBC is giving oxygen to an organisation that would victimise every ethnic minority, who would victimise gay people, attack trade unionists and wants to deport people.”
Raymie Kiernan, a protest organiser and Unite Against Fascism militant, said: “The best chance we have is that people in the audience will shame Nick Griffin and will expose Nick Griffin.”
A statement from the BBC said: “There is evidence of electoral support after the British National Party won two seats in the European Elections so like any party in this position the BNP may appear on programmes like The Andrew Marr Show and
Question Time.”
Written by Rachael Simpson
