The far-right is on the offensive across Europe: the biggest upsurge since the 1930s. From street attacks and mobilisations to government office, they use Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and racism to spread hate and fear. They attack trade unionists and the left, and the rights and liberties of us all. Gaining succour from the Trump White House, they are increasingly internationalised, well-funded and well-organised.
On 2 March 2019, the ¡No Pasaran! Conference met in London to discuss and plan how the left and progressive forces can confront this rise of the far-right.
The conference was organised by Transform journal and supported by over 40 organisations, including the UK Trades Union Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Confederation (eTUC), European Left Party, and Transform Europe Network.
Among over the 400 participants were 50 delegates from across Europe, with 14 countries represented.
The conference was opened with a welcome address by 95-year-old Walter Wolfgang, a refugee from Nazi Germany, who has been a socialist and peace campaigner throughout his adult life.
Other speakers included:
Diane Abbott shadow Home Secretary, Ken Loach filmmaker, Professor Tamas Krausz Hungary, Cornelia Hildebrandt Germany, Walter Baier Austria, Danièle Obono MP France Insoumise, Laura Parker Momentum, Mohammed Kozbar MAB , Ann Pettifor Prime Economics, Lowkey, Salma Yaqoob, Verveine Angeli Union Syndicale Solidaires France, Lindsey German Stop the War Coalition, Sabby Dhalu Stand up to Racism, Myriam Kane NUS NEC, Hilary Wainwright Red Pepper, Asad Rehman War on Want, Liz Fekete Institute of Race Relations, Senator Paul Gavan Sinn Féin, Francisco Dominguez Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, Esther Lynch eTUC, Czesław Kulesza Naprzód Poland, Chiara Mariotti Italians United against Fascism, Gertru Vargas Izquierda Unida Andalucia, Luk Vandenhoeck Platform 2103/Hart Boven Hard Belgium, Rayah Feldman Maternity Action, Maria Spiliotopoulou Greece Solidarity for All Greece, Richard Barbrook Digital Liberties