On Friday evening a rally was held in Altab Ali park, Whitechapel, as part of the day-long launch of nationwide #Shutdown protests against prejudice, discrimination, and police killings, organised by the UKBLM movement. . .The SWP were there of course, with a batch of their branded banners, and with plenty of newspapers to sell. A BLM speaker asked for people to sign up online to an email list (on their FB page), but suggested that ‘other groups’ in the park may also ask for email addresses, and to use discretion whether to do so – a reminder that not all groups shared the same clear agenda. . .After a brief concluding statement from BLM activist Wail Quasim, the plan was for some #Shutdown direct action, but as a small group carrying a large ‘Stand Up To Racism’ banner led people out of the park, the SWP issue reached boiling point as female activists refused to march alongside SWP representatives, including Gary McFarlane, on account of the SWP’s mishandling, cover-up, apologism and sexism regarding rape allegations over several years. . .: #BlackLivesMatter – SWP not welcome (08/07/2016)