23 February 2019
Hundreds of anti racists stand up to Tommy Robinson and the far right at Media City Salford
Pictures at @antiracismday – free to use with credit to Stand Up To Racism
Hundreds of anti-racists and
anti-fascists, (around 800), from across Salford and Greater Manchester rallied
at Media City today to oppose fascist Tommy Robinson and his supporters.
Robinson’s protest was against a Panorama programme expose on his activities.
He was deliberately targeting a free media that has shown him in his true
colours.
Robinson claimed he would get 10,000 supporters to media city but got only a
third or less of that number.
This was a national protest for Robinson and once again his numbers fell short
of what he claimed he’d attract.
In recent days racist graffiti and attacks on A Jewish cemetery and local
Mosque have occurred. It’s no coincidence that where Robinson goes violence and
racism follow.
Shamefully Robinson was once again supported by UKIP leader Gerard Batten who
spoke of the ‘black propaganda’ being used against Tommy.
Kate Green MP said:
‘there is no room for hate. We must send a clear message Tommy Robinson
is not welcome here.’
Julie Ward MEP said
: ‘Robinson and his thugs are
using intimidation against those who challenge his beliefs. Let’s show them
that our voices are stronger.’
Nahella Ashraf from
Stand Up To Racism said ‘We’re
proud to show what multicultural Salford looks like. We were black, white
Muslim and Jews, gay and straight, standing together’.
Michael Bradley from
National Stand Up To Racism said
‘Robinson and his kind are trying to build off the backs of the growth of the
far right in the US, Brazil and across Europe. But a united anti-racist and
anti-fascist movement can stop them’
Paul Jenkins from
North West Unite Against Fascism said
‘we mobilised trade unionists, campaigners, faith groups and Labour Councillors
from across the regions. Our protest received the support of ten Labour MPs.
The trade union mobilised behind us too. We are the many they are the few.’
Notes to Editors:
1. The statement supporting Saturday’s counter demonstration follows at the bottom of this email, along with the list of signatories
2. Stand Up To Racism is a broad based anti-racist organisation with support across the labour and trade union movement. Alongside the TUC it is organising a mass anti racist demo in London on UN antiracism day March 16.
3. Pictures from the counter protest
can be found on the @antiracismday twitter feed, free to use with credit to
Stand Up To Racism.
For further quotes, interviews and info email northwestuaf@gmail.com or info@standuptoracism.org.uk
Statement against Tommy Robinson’s rally on 23rd February:
(Initiated by Unite Against Fascism & Stand Up to Racism)
We, the undersigned, oppose plans by fascist ‘Tommy Robinson’ to hold a rally against the BBC in Salford on Saturday 23rd February.
‘Robinson’ – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was a member of the fascist British National Party (BNP) and the founder of the fascist English Defence League (EDL) which attempted to carry out anti-Muslim pogroms throughout Britain.
Yaxley-Lennon, who claims to be a journalist but is not, to be the subject of a forthcoming Panorama programme – he is clearly aggrieved at what may have been unearthed.
When Yaxley-Lennon held a demonstration in Manchester in June 2017, it was attended by former members of the National Front, Combat 18, and other fascist groups. They tried to attack anti-racist protestors, used anti-Muslim chants and threw a pig’s head.
Yaxley-Lennon has marched with Polish fascists who used anti-Semitic chants. He is funded by far right donors such as Alex Jones, the founder of the far right InfoWars website,
We also note with concern Robinson’s attempts to line up with the mainstream right, in the form of UKIP under Gerard Batten’s leadership.
We oppose anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism, and we support the protest – organised by Unite Against Fascism and Stand Up to Racism – against Robinson’s rally at the BBC in Salford on Saturday 23rd February. Meet 11.00am at BBC Television Studios, Salford Quays. We also encourage people to attend the TUC-backed national demonstration against racism in London on 16th March.
Dan Hett, Brother of a Manchester Attack victim and co-founder of Survivors Against Terror;
Barbara Keeley MP;
Angela Rayner MP;
Afzal Khan MP;
Cat Smith MP;
Andrew Gwynne MP;
Mike Amesbury MP;
Kate Green MP;
Kate Hollern MP;
Jonathan Reynolds MP;
Salford Councillor Derek Antrobus;
Salford Councillor Peter Dobbs,
Salford Councillor Charlie McIntyre,
Salford Councillor Mike McCusker,
Salford Councillor Mike Pevitt,
Salford Councillor John Walsh,
Salford Councillor Colette Weir.
Manchester & Salford NUJ;
Peter Middleman, North West Regional Secretary, NEU;
Mark Rowe, North West Regional Secretary, FBU;
Neil Smith, Regional Political Officer, GMB North West & Irish Region;
FBU North West Region;
GMB North West & Irish Region;
NEU North West Region;
Lynn Collins, North West TUC Regional Secretary;
Kevan Nelson, UNISON North West Regional Secretary;
Sharon Hutchinson, Regional Women’s & Equalities Officer, Unite the union North West;
Claire Jones, Political Officer, PCS North West Region;
Paula Barker, UNISON North West Regional Convenor;