PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday 01 November
After Pittsburgh & Brazil election:
Letter signed by over 60 leading figures calls for united action against far-right
Figures including shadow front bench members Diane Abbott, John Mcdonnell and Shami Chakrabarti, refugee and anti-racist campaigner Lord Alf Dubs, Singer & Broadcaster Tom Robinson and Muslim Council of Britain Secretary General Harun Rashid Khan today joined trade unionists and anti-racism campaigners in calling for a concerted and united response to the far-right following the antisemitic atrocity in Pittsburgh last Saturday which killed 11 people, and the rise to power of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil.
The letter, published in The Guardian and organised by campaign group Stand Up to Racism, warns that in Britain, a growing new far-right street movement is recieving support from former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and far-right figures from across Europe. Bannon met with Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, while in Brazil, who said of the meeting: “We had a great conversation and we share the same worldview. Mr Bannon stated that he was an enthusiast for Jair Bolsonaro’s campaign and we will certainly be in contact to join forces.” Bannon himself described Brazil as a key “part of this populist movement.”
The letter ends by calling for unity of all groups threatened by the rise of the far-right, and stating “That is why we are urging the biggest, broadest possible turnout at the National Unity Demonstration Against Racism and Fascism on Saturday 17 November.” The demonstration is set to be the first major opportunity to express the depth of opposition to the rise of the far right since the violent “free Tommy Robinson” mobilisations in London and around the country this summer which were followed by attacks on trade unionists, mosques, and a Sikh Gurdwara.
Sabby Dhalu, Co-Convenor of Stand Up To Racism said:
“The horrific antisemitic attack in Pittsburgh has brought into sharp focus the gravity of the situation we face as anti-fascists and anti-racists”
“The clear lesson from history, and from events in Brazil, is unity against fascism and racism is absolutely critical if we are to stop its rise.
“The breadth of support for this letter, and for the Unity Demonstration on November 17, shows we have the basis of a movement capable of driving back the rise of the racist right.”
Weyman Bennett, Co-Convenor of Stand Up To Racism said:
“In the last week we’ve seen a major antisemitic atrocity against a Synagogue, explosives targeting senior politicians and the rise to power of a far right politician who glorifies violence against the LGBT community and describes refugees as scum.”
” The option of doing nothing has passed – what starts in the streets and on the internet ends up with murder and repression
“Everybody who cares about a diverse society with the freedom to organise and live as we choose has to take a stand against the rise of the far right both here and across the world. The unity demonstration against racism & fascism on November 17 is our chance to do this”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The letter and list of signatories can be found at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/01/bolsonaro-and-the-rise-of-the-far-right
2 On Saturday 17 November, a national unity demonstration against racism & fascism will take place, backed by the TUC and senior labour movement figures such as Diane Abbott and John McDonnell. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1887445111550804/
- Stand Up To Racism is a national broad-based organisation supported by major trade union, faith and community groups. As well as organising the annual march for UN Anti-Racism Day, it organises actions and produces materials on Islamophobia, antisemitism, refugee and migrant rights, and against the rise of the far right.
- On 20 October Stand up To Racism held an international conference titled ‘How do we defeat the rise of fascism and racism?’ that brought together 1,400 people including delegations from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Brazil and Candaa as well as politicians including John McDonnell and Diane Abbott.
For quotes and further info email info@standuptoracism.org.uk