The Anti-Nazi League (ANL) was formed in the winter of 1977 to challenge and marginalise the fascist National Front which had gained electoral currency during the decade. The founders of the ANL were Paul Holborow, Peter Hain and Ernie Roberts, Jerry Fitzpatrick became the League's National Secretary. Other members of the steering committee included the MPs Martin Flannery, Dennis Skinner, Audrey Wise and Neil Kinnock, in addition former Young Liberal Simon Hebditch and Maurice Ludmer of Searchlight, Nigel Harris of the SWP, and the actress, Miriam Karlin. At the same time Rock against Racism (RAR) was launched. The ANL and RAR joined forces to mount the Rock against Racism in Victoria Park in Hackney and almost overnight the ANL and RAR became mass movement. Local branches of the ANL were formed, marches and concerts mounted and the slogan “National Front=Nazi Front” appeared on button badges and posters – some 750,000 badges and 9 million leaflets and posters were distributed during the period 1976-79. As a movement the ANL achieved its aim: electoral votes for the National Front dwindled and the NF’s aspirations to be a main stream political party collapsed.