On Saturday March 21st people from all walks of life: civil society leaders, Parliamentarians, Trade Unionists, Community leaders, Faith representatives, campaigners LGBT communities and students will come together in what promises to be the biggest anti-racist demonstration of the year.
Diane Abbott MP said:
“A wave of ugly immigrant-bashing racism is sweeping through Britain, led by UKIP, pandered to by the media and conceded to by many others. This demonstration is the start of the fight back. We have to gather everyone willing to stand up to racism.”
Mohammad Taj, TUC General Council Member said:
“The Trade Union movement has a proud history of challenging racism in the workplace and in society. We are facing rising racism, hostility against migrants, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. This march is about ensuring the proud tradition of standing up to racism, as typified by the heroes of Selma and the anti-apartheid struggle, continues. An injury to one is an injury to all. We should be proud of the contribution all communities have made to creating a vibrant, diverse society. Just before the general election, thousands will be out to say – no to racism!”
Claude Moraes MEP said:
“I am honoured to join in the national demonstration against racism and fascism, UN Anti-Racism day serves as a pressing reminder for us to work together and tackle racial discrimination. Otherwise, we risk sleep-walking into the past as can be seen with the frequency of hate speech aired highlighted with the Pediga movement and the growing presence of the far-right across Europe. This demonstration will send a clear message of a complete rejection of racism in all its forms and a celebration of diversity and tolerance.”
Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said:
‘At a time when racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic attacks are on the increase in the UK, it is heartening that people are prepared to stand up and be counted in the fight against racism.
‘I am delighted I will be able to join other members of the Green Party and members of organisations and individuals from all over the UK at the Stand Up for Racism event, to stand up for people’s rights to live without fear of abuse or violence.
‘Events like this should make us proud of who we are and what we stand for. We must, and shall, be vigilant against racism. Protecting people’s rights should be at the centre of our national identity.
‘And I will repeat my call for David Cameron to take Britain’s share of the 130,000 most vulnerable Syrian refugees identified by the UN for its global resettlement programme. That he has refused to do so, and has through his alternative UK programme supported just 143 refugees, is a disgrace.
‘Britain has a proud tradition of providing refuge to those in need and we must live up to that, particularly considering 3,000 deaths of desperate people trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe from North Africa and the Middle East last year.’
Diana Holland, Unite the Union Assistant General Secretary – Equalities
said:
“This week I am proud to be standing up for migrant domestic workers’ rights, so shamefully cut by this government. Unite is calling too for strong support for the march on Saturday. Stand up to racism and fascism and make sure you are registered to vote, and that you vote – it does make a difference!”
Billy Hayes, Communication Workers Union General Secretary said:
“The CWU supports the UN’s Anti-Racism Day because we believe that every community and workplace should be free from racism. The recession, and austerity economics, has prompted some politicians to seek out scapegoats. For the future of our society, it is vital to stand up to racism, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism.”
Stephanie Lightfoot-Bennett Co-Chair, United Friends and Families Campaign said:
For nearly 23 years I have been involved with INQUEST and 16 years with UNITED FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. This was started due to deaths in custody, my twin brother was killed in Stockport police station in 1992. This is when I found out the number of people dying at the hands of the state. Since 1967 over 4,000 people have died, be it in prison, mental health institutes or young offenders units. 37% of contact with police stations results in death and you are 36% more likely to die from contact with police on the street.There has never been a prosecution of the police.
Jennifer Moses NASUWT National Official (Equality and Training) said:
“Taking a stand against racism and fascism remains a key priority for the NASUWT. Schools and education institutions are a fertile ground for the spread of racial and religious hatred so collectively we must be organised in order to defeat these harmful ideologies. Together we must continue to build the resistance to racism and fascism to provide a society free from ethnic, religious, cultural and other prejudices for our next generation”.
Zita Holbourne, PCS NEC said:
‘Last year we saw the introduction of the divisive & racist Immigration Act. It’s essential that we challenge the disgraceful anti-migrant rhetoric & scapegoating we see from politicians & media on a daily basis.
Last week hundreds of thousands signed a petition supporting the racist BBC presenter Jeremy Clarkson but where was the public outcry about the announcement that 41000 young black (BME) people are long term unemployed, an increase of 49% since 2010?
On Saturday we will be standing up & raising the voices of those that are discriminated against, negatively stereotyped, silenced or disregarded because of racism in a show of strength & celebration of our multicultural society.
Marcia Rigg, Co-Chair United Friends and Families Campaign / Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign said:
“Standing up to any form of racism is important for those whom racism affects. We must keep the awareness alive. Deaths in custody can affect anyone of us, but their is a distinct disproportionately amongst Black and Ethnic minority groups. We must stand collectively to demand equal rights, justice and accountability for wrongdoing. Vulnerable Lives matter, Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter!”
Colette Levi, Hidden Child from Vichy France and Anti-Apartheid Activist said:
“The world said ‘Never Again’ after seeing the horrors of the Nazi death camps. Due to the rise of the far right and fascism in Europe, we have to say those words now – and mean them. “
Maz Saleem, Daughter of the late Mohammed Saleem said:
My father Mohammed Saleem was brutally murdered on the 29th April 2013 by a right wing terrorist purely because he was a muslim, not because he was asian but because of his faith. Islamophobia is rife and Islamophobic attacks continue to rise fuelled by sensationalised headlines run by media and also by the governments stance on treating all Muslims as terrorists. What hope is there for our kids and generations to come if we don’t make a stand against all forms of hate!
Tommy Tomescu Alliance against Romanian and Bulgarian Discrimination, Leader Europeans party said:
UKIP’s stance amounts to racial harassment and victimization of East Europeans. Last year UKIP created a national scare that 30 million Romanians and Bulgarians were coming to the UK. Then Farage instigated hostility towards Romanians moving in next door. Farage acts with impunity, but such comments create a climate of hostility. Discrimination of British citizens based on whether they are British-born not is wrong, illegal and such behavior should be prosecuted. Past and current failures to prosecute this kind of behavior leads to further abuses of minorities. We do not know what Farage will say or do next, but we are very concerned about where he is going and that he does not have any limits.
Bruce Kent, Vice President of Pax Christi said:
I strongly support this event and others like them because I believe in human unity- the road to peace, justice and social equality – not human disunity – the road to war, hatred and poverty for many
Omer El-Hamdoon President Muslim Association of Britain said:
“If we are serious about fighting extremism and creating a better world, then we must be serious about standing up for justice and fairness; and we must we be serious about fighting all forms of prejudice, equally. “
Marina Prentoulis Senior Lecturer, University of East Anglia and Syriza London said:
‘The banner of the International Brigades at the Peoples’ Museum, Manchester is a precious reminder of how we came together , volunteers from 53 different nations, to fight fascism in Spain in 1936. Once again, we are called today to fight against the rise of fascism and racism across Europe. Once again, we have to unite across nations and once again we have to form a wall that extremism in all its forms, from Islamophobia to Anti-Semitism and Nazism will not pass. Fuelled by the financial crisis and the conflicts at the Middle East and North Africa, we, the peoples of Europe we have to once again shout out loud, ‘You will not pass’. We have to challenge racism and fascism on all possible levels, at all possible social sites: at our everyday encounters, and from the grassroots level to that of the electoral politics.’
Gethin Roberts, Founding member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, recently depicted in the BAFTA award winning film Pride said:
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners was formed because we believed in solidarity – standing up for others when they are under attack. 30 years ago it was the miners that were under attack, today its Muslims, migrants and others who are being scapegoated and vilified and who are on the receiving end of racism and bigotry. The bigotry used against these communities in the morning is used against LGBTI communities in the afternoon. That’s why we say, stand up to racism and why we are proud to join the UN Anti-Racism Day demonstration.
Shreya Paudel, NUS International Students Officer said:
International students are being vilified with stricter laws. Unable to work upon graduation, targeted with deportation in a reactionary game to reduce numbers, the Immigration Act, 2014, which was actively voted for by Conservative MPs and abstained by Labour MPs,forcing temporary migrants including non-EU international students to pay for the NHS, with the rhetoric of us making “contribution” ignoring the £ 8 billion we bring annually to the British economy. Landlord checks have been imposed in West Midlands as a pilot scheme where landlords are forced to become border guards and report any tenant they find “suspicious” to Home Office. There is a net benefit for British society from migrants and international students. So why are the above discriminatory practices happening? I can’t see any other reason except xenophobia and racism. That is why, this demonstration is important. We need to tell the political leadership that there are people who actively oppose their scapegoating of immigrants. We welcome migrants including international students.
Lindsey German Convenor Stop the War said:
I will be demonstrating on Saturday against all racism but especially against Islamophobia, its most virulent form in Europe. The wars waged by Britain over 14 years have not stopped terrorism but increased it. Now government and media tries to blame Muslims for what these wars have created: devastation, millions of refugees, worse racism, and greater attacks on civil liberties. We must stand up against them.
Sam Fairbairn Secretary, People’s Assembly Against Austerity said:
In order to impose austerity the government needs a scapegoat and immigrants have been the target. They try to place the blame on the poorest people in society for the problems created by the richest.
It’s that racist scapegoating that’s paved the way for UKIP to grow. We need to stand against this attempt to divide us, create a movement that can unite everyone affected by austerity, and place the blame where it belongs.
Paul Mackney, Co-Chair Greece Solidarity Campaign said:
“In the run-up to the British General Election, politicians need to remember that ‘Austerity breeds racism’. In Greece, the brutal cuts, privatisation and mass unemployment imposed by the EU, European Central Bank and the IMF caused such misery that many thousands switched their votes to the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party. Only anti-fascist campaigning and the election of a government on an anti-austerity programme stemmed the tide.”
Sayaha James, Student Assembly Against Austerity said:
We’ve seen the financial crisis result in the establishment attacking the most vulnerable and already marginalised instead of those responsible. A society that scapegoats minorities in times of hardship is a sick one, and that is why we must all stand up to the xenophobia, racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism that we are seeing spreading dangerously across Europe