LOUIS FARRAKHAN, leader of the Black nationalist Nation of Islam Organisation (NOI) was refused entry into Britain by immigration officials. This followed the ruling by the Home Secretary that dress a series of meetings in Britain. The grounds for Farrakhan's ban was allegedly his anti-semitic utterances.
But the real target is not any anti-semitic views of Farrakhan but the black community this country. weary. government which openly apartheid regime in South Africa, representatihese reflate representatives the South African governcan play no roic In fighting any sort of including antiThis offensive has been compounded by tacks on Lester Lewis, the black Labour councillor in Hackney who invited Farof the Hackney North GC passee a resolunon opposed the national ban on harrakhan. Dul with only five votes him the use of any council The subsequent assault On Lester came at the end of January both COldemned him. The Labour chief whip was quoted as hoping he would be deselected the forthcoming the attack to the into *dirtv tricks was out members him, selection photoCODICU very Lewis were circulated.
far more than to meeting for Lea Bridge ward (which he represents), where around twice the number of members turned up to the previous AGM shortly зетоте In such an atmosphere, with the local the Hackney Gazette whipp. ing up feeling against him, not surprising thạt LeWIs nas failed Will reselection two wards local agree that Farrakhan that My the jews is made on religious realise who illal interested in economic for per of our means that this is black people.
Coobc alive bakery, against the but argued that falling into this racist LIC smear Those attend Farrakhan's meetings are not right wing but people looking TOI pro posals and d per Pictives to advance Black rights in this country.
Debate and discussion, not bans, are what are required of the labour move.
• no maller wilal is thought of Farrakhan's wrong Manger us politics.
The deselection as councillor of Lester Lewis for making the invititation to Farrakhan to come and speak in Hackney is an attack on black people. It is 1O U CLU the Lester Lewis: deselected fight against false perspec tives for fighting racism. It
----- pull-quotes -----
he be banned from the country. The Hackney Black People's Association (HBPA) had invited him to ad-