Seems like the BNP is attracting more attention , even from across the pond .
Anti-fascist Protesters to 'kettle' BNP festival .
The annual Red, White and Blue festival started on Friday in Codnor, Derbyshire, and runs until Sunday.
The rally, in its 10th year, has sparked widespread controversy, and protesters will descend on the site to show their opposition.
Campaign group Unite Against Fascism has joined forces with Midlands TUC and local protest group Amber Valley Campaign Against Racism and Fascism to bring hundreds of anti-fascist protesters to the area.
They plan to "kettle" the rally and have organised a protest march from Codnor Market Place to Codnor Denby Lane - the site of the festival - then back again. Kettling, also known as containment or corralling, is sometimes used by police and involves a large cordon to contain a crowd in a limited area.
The move comes after an open letter was published on Unite Against Fascism's website, condemning the event. The letter, whose signatories include former London mayor Ken Livingstone, children's author Michael Rosen and trade union leaders, said the event's purpose was to "build up a hardened neo-Nazi core at the centre of the organisation".
It said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda."
This year is not the first time the festival has attracted opposition. Last year, about 30 anti-BNP protesters were arrested after clashes with police.
Derbyshire Police have planned a "significant operation," including restrictions on the planned protests. Chief Constable Mick Creedon has previously said he believes the festival site is not a suitable venue, and wrote to landowner Alan Warner to voice concerns, but as the rally takes place on private land it cannot be banned.
On Friday, American white supremacist Preston Wiginton was stopped from entering the country to attend the Red, White and Blue Festival. The UK Border Agency said he was stopped at Heathrow Airport and sent back to New York as it was believed his presence in the UK could stir up racial tension.
Anti-fascist Protesters to 'kettle' BNP festival .
The annual Red, White and Blue festival started on Friday in Codnor, Derbyshire, and runs until Sunday.
The rally, in its 10th year, has sparked widespread controversy, and protesters will descend on the site to show their opposition.
Campaign group Unite Against Fascism has joined forces with Midlands TUC and local protest group Amber Valley Campaign Against Racism and Fascism to bring hundreds of anti-fascist protesters to the area.
They plan to "kettle" the rally and have organised a protest march from Codnor Market Place to Codnor Denby Lane - the site of the festival - then back again. Kettling, also known as containment or corralling, is sometimes used by police and involves a large cordon to contain a crowd in a limited area.
The move comes after an open letter was published on Unite Against Fascism's website, condemning the event. The letter, whose signatories include former London mayor Ken Livingstone, children's author Michael Rosen and trade union leaders, said the event's purpose was to "build up a hardened neo-Nazi core at the centre of the organisation".
It said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda."
This year is not the first time the festival has attracted opposition. Last year, about 30 anti-BNP protesters were arrested after clashes with police.
Derbyshire Police have planned a "significant operation," including restrictions on the planned protests. Chief Constable Mick Creedon has previously said he believes the festival site is not a suitable venue, and wrote to landowner Alan Warner to voice concerns, but as the rally takes place on private land it cannot be banned.
On Friday, American white supremacist Preston Wiginton was stopped from entering the country to attend the Red, White and Blue Festival. The UK Border Agency said he was stopped at Heathrow Airport and sent back to New York as it was believed his presence in the UK could stir up racial tension.
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