In just 24 hours, we’ve had a deluge of support from trade unionists, activists and artists for UAF officer Martin Smith, who will be appealing against his conviction for assaulting a police officer.

Martin, who is also national coordinator of Love Music Hate Racism, was arrested at last year’s protest against BNP leader Nick Griffin’s appearance on the BBC Question Time programme.

Magistrates have convicted him of assault on a police officer on the word of a single police officer, despite the lack of evidence against him. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 80 hours’ unpaid work, and has been fined £450.

Martin maintains his innocence and will appeal against the verdict. Here are some of the messages from those who are backing Martin’s fight to clear his name.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary

I am shocked at the verdict delivered in a magistrates court today, in the absence of any evidence, that Martin Smith, national co-ordinator of Love Music Hate Racism, was guilty of assault on a police officer at the demonstration outside of the BBC on 22 October 2009, against Nick Griffin’s appearance on Question Time.

Martin was present at a perfectly legitimate protest against the BBC for giving airspace to a fascist and racist organisation and their repugnant views.

The sentence of 80 hours’ community service that has been handed to Martin is a travesty of justice.

There is a danger that verdicts such as these provide encouragement for the abhorrent views of racist and fascist organisations and therefore it is crucial that across the labour movement we stand united in our condemnation of it.

Drew McConnell, musician, Babyshambles (pictured above with Martin at last year’s LMHR festival in Stoke)
>> Watch Drew playing live at the protest to support Martin outside the court

Martin Smith is a hero and an inspiration to every good person who knows him. Not least the musicians who have worked alongside him in his tireless Love Music Hate Racism work. I know I speak for every artist and fan of LMHR when I say that we’re disgusted with the outcome of today’s trial.

When such a blatantly fabricated charge is upheld, one must seriously questions the motives behind those responsible. Indeed, its ramifications in light of the impending economic crisis are sinister at best. But I know this could never deter Martin from continuing to fight fascism with all of his being, or us from supporting him and the spirit of the anti-nazi movement.

UCU, London Met branch

Can we register our support for Martin Smith following the disgraceful decision to find Martin guilty of ‘assault’. Please let us know what we can do to support Martin. It is clear that the decision in the court was completely skewed and wrong.

Zita Holbourne, poet, and joint chair, Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC)

Until we have a just judicial system there’ll be no justice thru the judiciary – whilst there’s no justice there’ll be no peace & we shall not be silenced or intimidated. An injury to 1 is an injury to all thus not only can we not be broken – we recover from the injury & heal as 1, united & stronger – a collective force that no injustice can destroy.

You have my full and continued support until justice is served. I thank you sincerely for all you have done for the antiracist movement.

Middlesex University Unison branch committee

On behalf of the UNISON Branch Committee at Middlesex University, we would like to express our disgust at Martin Smith’s conviction on Tuesday and to extend a message of support to Martin.

It is vital that we stand together in opposing racism in any form and that we insist on the right to protest against racism without fear of intimidation or harassment.

Paul Vernell, joint secretary, South Gloucestershire NUT

The court’s judgement is a warning that we need to redouble our efforts to get the antiracist messsage heard in every workplace and every community. South Gloucestershire NUT therefore will highlight this miscarriage of justice and will invite Martin to a general meeting of its members.

Watford TUC

No justice, no peace!

Solidarity from Watford TUC

Alasdair Smith, secretary, Islington NUT

I am writing on behalf of Islington NUT to bring a message of support. Please let us know if you have plans to appeal and campaign against the court’s decision.

We have an Islington NUT meeting on 29th Sept. If you or a representative is able to speak, please let me know. There is a motion on the agenda to support you.

We’ve also been sent a poem, by Calum Blundell

State Sentiments

I’d like to take a moment, just to ask you to look back,
To the jackboot rising of Fascism, that culminated in World War Two.

Today things are similar, if you look past the news views.
Persecution is happening, except today the Muslim’s the new Jew.

It’s not just in far off countries, Afghanistan or Iraq.
It’s marching in our streets now and our communities are under attack.

No prejudiced malevolent ideology did not die out after cable street,
Nor that jihad of a world war, when the world-powers had it ‘beat’.

Nor when the NF subsided after communities stood against them en masse,
They just slunk off back to their hate filled lives and voted BNP or UKIP, alas.

That’s why today we need to operate, and fast, on this cancerous monstrosity,
Cut it from the body of society, so we can move forward with velocity.

But how can we beat it with this relentless police state persecution,
Snatch squads snatching movement leaders and supporters, dragging them away,
For doing nothing more, than making a stand,having their say,
Against those who seek to harm society the same old Nazi way.

And this foul fact is made fouler still with Martin Smith’s fallacy of a court decision.
But it just goes to show the state fulfilled their mission.
Plainly playing out in the open their cards in full vision.

Then how do we beat the State Sentiments and the EDL, what exactly do we do?
My answer here is plain and simple, like a fascist. The Answer here is you!
We don’t back down, we stand together: Black, White, Asian, Muslim,
Christian and Jew.