Let’s mobilise again on 2nd June against threat of DFLA.
The successful Stand Up to Racism/UAF mobilisation, against the FLA on 19th May in Manchester, had great support from the labour and trade union movement in the North West.
We now need to mobilise again on 2nd June in Manchester to oppose the ‘Democratic FLA’ (DFLA) whose demonstration is likely to be much bigger than that of the FLA’s.
Only a few weeks ago thousands of them marched with EDL founder ‘Tommy Robinson’ and leading members of UKIP. ‘Robinson’ was arrested last Friday in London – his arrest has become a rallying cry for the far right. They mobilised a few hundred in London at less than a day’s notice.
Our fantastic Manchester mobilisation on 19th May shows what can be done. The SUTR/UAF anti-FLA demo was supported by 15 Greater Manchester MPs – Debbie Abrahams, Yvonne Fovargue, James Frith, Kate Green, Andrew Gwynne, Mike Kane, Afzal Khan, Barbara Keeley, Liz McInnes, Jim McMahon, Jo Platt, Yasmin Qureshi,Angela Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds, and Jeff Smith.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP also signed SUTR’s statement, as did North West Labour MEPs, Manchester Council Leader Richard Leese, over 40 Manchester City Councillors, and regional trade union officers from North West TUC, CWU, FBU, GMB, NEU, PCS, RMT, UCU, UNISON and Unite.
Dan Hett, brother of a Manchester attack victim and co-founder of Survivors Against Terror, also supported the anti-FLA demo, as did Show Racism the Red Card, and Councillors from Salford, Trafford and elsewhere.
Julie Ward MEP said: ‘We love our music and our football and we despise organisations such as the FLA who seek to exploit the personal tragedies of those caught up in violent attacks. Whether you support United or Manchester City this is one issue where we need to come together and stand firmly against racism and Islamophobia. We are one, we love Manchester!’
Kate Green MP sent a message of support to the SUTR/UAF demo: ‘I send best wishes and solidarity to all standing up to racism today. There can be no picking and choosing: we oppose all forms of racism, wherever they originate, whoever they’re targeted against. I’m proud to represent a multi-faith, multicultural, ethnically diverse community.
I say to those who would divide us – you never will. We stand
together.’
Manchester City Councillor Mandie Shilton-Godwin said: ‘Manchester is repelled by the FLA and all it stands for. There is no place for the FLA in our diverse and tolerant city, in the city which came together on May 22nd after the Arena bomb, to show all our people that we do not tolerate hatred or discrimination. The people of Manchester stand united against hate.’
Manchester City Councillor Ben Clay said: ‘The FLA are cynically hijacking the anniversary of the Manchester bombing to stir hatred and suspicion. They do not care about our communities but hope to increase tensions and provoke violence. They must be opposed.’
Manchester City Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar said: ‘I will stand here in Manchester shoulder to shoulder with the people in unity to make sure the Football Lads Alliance cannot pedal their hatred and bigotry in our city.’
The Stand Up to Racism and Unite Against Fascism mobilisation against the DFLA on 2nd June is again supported by MPs, Manchester City Councillors and trades unionists.
There can be no room for complacency about the DFLA, who are a much bigger threat than the FLA.
Everyone needs to come out again in Manchester on 2nd June to show the racists and fascists that they are not welcome.
Click here for the Facebook event.
Click here for coach tickets from London.