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Tribute to Keith Hodgson - 1962 to 2013

By Dazza

Keith was one of the leading anarchists and anti fascists of the past 20 odd years in Liverpool and probably the UK. A great guy, great thinker, great writer and never afraid to put his politics into action. Keith was at the forefront of the radical anti-nuclear scene in the 1980s, and was one of the founders of the thriving 80s 'Liverpool Anarchist Group'. He was also one of main people who established 'the Mutual Aid Centre' and later could probably be described as editor of 'Merseyside Anarchist' newsletter, a highly popular, reportage and discussion paper for many years in the late 80s and early 90s.

Keith like many of us, come from the dole queues of the 80s, and used the opportunity to politicise himself and organise alternatives, to both capitalism and the state obsessed left. Offering radical anti-capitalist alternatives, Keith threw himself full-time into trying to bring about the fall of the capitalist system. Like many others Keith spent a little time in prison for his politics.

In the 27 years I knew Keith, he never ever compromised his politics, and organised numerous protests. In fact, he became more committed and solid in his views the older he got. In his late 30s, Keith went to university and continued on that path until he got a PhD in History, whilst still in lots of ways continuing his political activity. Most notably he led the anti fascists campaign against the growing support of the BNP.

Keith was always up for a laugh, and had one of the greatest sense of humours I knew. But he was aware very early on, that radical politics and genuine political change was his major passion and drive. He hated the right and had no time for the feeble sell outs of the left, and never strove to be popular. Keith was a great guy, who influenced me a lot, he will be sadly missed.

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