Searchlight

Relations with other 'anti-fascist' groups

Given the similarities in objectives, why could the different antifascist groups not work together on these campaigns? For their part, AFA generally refused to cooperate with other antifascists if doing so involved working with agents of the state. They argued that if "you seriously oppose the fascists in a way which is effective, you are operating against the state. This is a fact of life" (Fighting Talk 1994b, 6). These divisions between the “legal” and “radical” (see Copsey 201, 7) antifascists sometimes caused problems for the movement. For example, Red Action reported that Groove Records "was already under AFA surveillance" and that by having it closed down, Searchlight "den[ied] militant antifascism a source of intelligence on the far right" (Red Action Bulletin 1999, 9 f.).

The 'united front' where activists worked together started to break down as the 1990s progressed. The relationship with Searchlight started to turn sour. Anarchists had not trusted Searchlight since at least the early 1980's - when articles in anarchist papers examined Searchlight's then editor Gerry Gable's links with Special Branch (alleging a 'something for something' relationship – i.e. Searchlight would give details to the State, and not just about fascists). In 1993 Searchlight ran a smear campaign against anarchists - in particular against specific DAM and Class War members - alleging they were really fascists. This probably wasn't a coincidence now there were alternatives to AFA to back. From the mid-1990's Red Action - who had previously had a very close relationship with Searchlight - began more and more to take the line that association with Searchlight was becoming a liability - with Searchlight increasingly providing misinformation and trying to manipulate AFA for its own agenda.

After 1995, some anti-fascist mobilisations did still occur i e.g. against the NF in Dover in 1997 and 1998. Internally, a new AFA National Coordinating Committee was set up in 1997. From the way this was used it is clear that this Committee actually had powers - a far cry from the old national committee – an indication of how few anarchists were still involved organisationally, and how far the Northern Network had declined. In 1997 an AFA statement officially banned members from associating with Searchlight - and, in 1998, Leeds and Huddersfield AFA were expelled by the new Committee, officially for ignoring this policy. Expulsions didn't stop the decline. There were some local re-launches – e.g. Liverpool in 2000. But by 2001 - though probably a long time before - AFA as a national organisation hardly existed.

Some argued that unless AFA adapted to the new BNP strategy, AFA would 'atrophy' and wither. AFA was geared for confrontation. Without confrontation AFA - as it then was - would have no reason to exist. Some believe its demise was hastened by the creation of the IWCA which diverted some AFA time and resources. But there were definitely other factors. Key ones included:

• the police cottoning on to AFA tactics
• 'competition' from more high-profile anti-fascist groups
• the lack of intelligence following the break with Searchlight
• street fight, arrests and injuries from the war of attrition and a ageing activists with increasing family commitments taking their toll as the income of new members slowed.

Unite Against Fascsim

Searchlight was originally part of the steering committee of Unite Against Fascism but resigned after alleged differences over tactics. Steve Silver wrote:

We are writing to you to resign our two places on the steering committee. It has not been a decision that we have taken lightly but feel that it is better for both parties if we go our own ways. From the outset there has been a difference of strategy with regards to our own local campaigning and UAF's national strategy. In the spirit of unity we hoped that the contradictions would work themselves through and that the differences would eventually not matter any more. In reality things have gone from bad to worse. The situation has come to a head in the last month with the fact that UAF staff accused us of pandering to racism at the GMB conference in June with regard to our work in Keighley. More recently, UAF supporters accused us of "using the language of the BNP" in our campaign in Barking & Dagenham (in regard to the slogan: "We are Dagenham, the BNP are not") at the Unison conference.

Companies and charities

• Searchlight Educational Trust (Registered charity 1013880. Company no 2738367)
• Searchlight Magazine
• Searchlight Information Services Limited (Company number 02055070 12 Sep 1986 - 25 Oct 2012). Name changed to Hope Not Hate (1986) Limited (25 Oct. 2012 - 14 July 2015)

See also

• Hope Not Hate
• Gerry Gable | Nick Lowles
• 43 Group | 62 Group | Community Security Trust | JACOB | Group Relations Educational Trust

Resources

• Paul Anderson, ANTI-RACISTS AT ODDS New Statesman & Society, 15 October 1993.
• The Searchlight Archives
• https://journals.lwbooks.co.uk/anarchiststudies/vol-25-issue-2/article-9327/
• https://libcom.org/article/1985-2001-short-history-anti-fascist-action-afa
• https://libcom.org/article/searchlight-and-state-sniper
• https://libcom.org/article/anti-fascist-or-pro-police-anarchist-black-cross
• https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UCPI0000026542.pdf
• https://www.ucpi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UCPI0000028097.pdf
• https://azvsas.blogspot.com/2016/05/searchlight-anti-fascist-magazine-joins.html
• Larry O'Hara Searchlight for beginners