Manic Street Preachers are seeking legal action against the EDL, after the far-right group used the band’s anti-fascism song ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’ in order to promote an upcoming demonstration in Birmingham.
The song, which takes its title from an anti-fascist slogan used in the Spanish Civil War, was used by the English Defence League in a video in order to entice newcomers into joining them in their fight against Muslims and logic.
The Chairman of West Midlands United Against Fascism Michael Wongsman released a statement, saying: “We are appalled to discover that the racist and fascist EDL has used the anti-fascist song ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’ by the band the Manic Street Preachers.
“This song takes its title from an anti-fascist slogan used during the Spanish Civil War where anti-racists and anti-fascists from all over Europe tried to stop Franco’s fascists from taking over the country.”
He continued: “We want to have a peaceful counter demonstration on the [same] day to show that Birmingham is a united, multicultural and peaceful community that does not want a group of racist and fascist thugs intimidating or attacking Muslims or any other minority group in our city.”
A spokesperson for the Manic Street Preachers told NME Magazine that the band were “horrified” by the news and that they’ve ordered the EDL to take the video down with immediate effect.
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