Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
TODAY thousands of us are marching against fascist Tommy Robinson. We’re bringing a message of unity, solidarity and hope against his racism and Islamophobia.
Robinson — real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — wants to be the key figure in the British far right. And he certainly has the fascist past to match.
In his early days Robinson was a member of the fascist British National Party, led by notorious figures like Nick Griffin. Robinson then went on to found the English Defence League — a violent, far-right street movement that marched against Muslims and attacked trade unions and the left.
As extremist movements grow on the streets and at the ballot box, the emergence of the Together Alliance points to a vital strategy: unity across trade unions, campaigners and communities, says TONY CONWAY
Once again Tower Hamlets is being targeted by anti-Islam campaigners, this time a revamped and radicalised version of Ukip — the far-right event is now banned by the police, but we’ll be assembling this Saturday to make sure they stay away, says JAYDEE SEAFORTH
LYNNE WALSH reports from the Morning Star’s Race, Sex and Class Liberation conference last weekend, which discussed the dangers of incipient fascism and the spiralling drive to war


