We need to organise to oppose the rise of the far right
The organised and unprovoked assault on trade unionists, including members of the RMT and Unite, following a rally of the far right, in London on Saturday 14 July was a disgusting example of what a growing new far right is all about.
The trade unionists were forced to defend themselves in the face of a violent attack in which the RMT’s Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley, among others, was seriously injured.
The trade unionists had attended a counter demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism opposing the rally of the far right.
The anti-racist event saw thousands take to the streets in a peaceful, positive display of unity in opposition to hatred and bigotry. The attack, and other incidents that followed the march including the blockade of a bus driven by a Muslim women driver, who is a Unite member, show the reality of what the racist right are currently organising for.
As trade unionists and anti-fascists we have a duty and responsibility to counter fear and the politics of division, to organise our class and to win the argument against far right hatred in our schools and on our buses, on football terraces and in our pubs, in our workplaces and our communities.
The apologists for these violent thugs, including UKIP leader Gerard Batten and Donald Trump’s ambassador lobbied for ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson’s release from jail following his conviction for contempt of court. They are fanning the flames that led to the violence on 14 July.
As trade unionists and anti-racists we will oppose the violence of the far right and continue to mobilise in defence of our multicultural communities politically and publicly.
Signed,
Mick Cash RMT general secretary
Steve Hedley RMT assistant general secretary
Steve Turner Unite assistant general secretary
Tim Roache GMB general secretary
Sabby Dhalu Stand Up To Racism co-convenor
Weyman Bennett Stand Up To Racism co-convenor
Mark Serwotka PCS general secretary
Dave Ward CWU general secretary
Kevin Courtney NEU general secretary
Manuel Cortes TSSA general secretary
Michelle Stanistreet NUJ general secretary
Mohammed Kozbar Finsbury Park Mosque chairman
Rabbi Lee Wax
Claude Moraes MEP
Julie Ward MEP
Paul Mason Journalist and broadcaster
Ian Hodson BFAWU national president
Jane Loftus CWU vice president
Tony Kearns CWU deputy general secretary (postal)
Nita Sanghera UCU vice president
Julia Bard Jewish Socialists’ Group national committee
Peter Kavanagh Unite London & Eastern Region secretary
Eddie Dempsey RMT national executive committee
Sam Fairbairn People’s Assembly national secretary
Lindsey German Stop the War Coalition national secretary
Alan Gibbons Author
Ged Grebby Show Racism the Red Card chief executive
Gerry Gable Searchlight