Today marks a global day of action where anti racist organisations, trade unions, and major artists are calling for support for #WorldAgainstRacism mass demonstrations, 16 to 23 March.
Major demonstrations are planned in London, Glasgow and Cardiff; in New York, Washington DC and Florida; in Brazil; across Europe including Hungary, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Catalonia, Ireland, France, Belgium and Greece; and in Canada and Australia. Protests will hit over 60 cities.
The call to join in international solidarity for this year’s UN Anti Racism Day is backed by a whole host of national anti racist campaigns based in these countries, and respective trade unions, faith groups and community campaigns.
This call states, “The rise of racism and the far right represents a grave danger for the vast majority of the population. We will never be able to resolve the different social problems we face unless we defend the unity of ordinary people in the face of the attempts of racists and fascists to divide us… By coordinating ourselves locally and internationally for that protest, we can and must build stronger links between us… in the collective fight against hatred and for solidarity in diversity.”
Here in Britain, we have the serious threat of fascist ‘Tommy Robinson’ who has become a figure head in an emergent far right street movement seeking to exploit the Brexit crisis to build the forces of reaction.
The Trades Union Congress and its affiliates are taking part in today’s day of action for the with major social media output from each union using #Unions4Unity and actions in workplaces calling for people to join the Stand Up To Racism demonstrations on 16 March in London, Glasgow and Cardiff. Alongside this, Love Music Hate Racism has launched a campaign called #BeautifulResistance, with the backing of major music industry labels such as Sony, Universal, and Warner Brothers. #BeautifulResistance was launched on International Women’s Day 2019 with an inspiring video interview with Ray BLK, Grace Carter, Lianne La Havas and Kara Marni.
The fortnight will involve numerous high-profile artists discussing how music can be an empowering tool to tackle hatred, bigotry and division, with a block on the UN Anti-Racism Day demonstration, gigs, assemblies and workshops in schools and colleges, and branding venues.
Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said: “Donald Trump’s presidency emboldened every fascist and racist across the globe. The far right is organising internationally so we must be organised too. #WorldAgainstRacism activities around the world marking UN Anti-Racism Day are an important step in the co-ordinated fight back against racism and fascism.”
Weyman Bennett, co convenor of Stand Up To Racism said: “This unprecedented coordination, to get the voice of the anti racist majority onto the streets, comes at a critical moment. Trump’s presidency has acted as a clarion call to far right and fascist forces worldwide, with a rise in confidence of these forces to spout the most vile Islamophobic scapegoating, Antisemitism and racism. When mainstream politicians blame refugees and migrants for society’s problems, and demonise the Muslim community, they open the door, providing legitimacy for divisive hateful ideas that have no place in 2019. The global protests say we have had enough, we will not allow this to go unchallenged. We are the many. Join us on the streets all across the world.”
NOTES/ CONTACT:
email: info@standuptoracism.org.uk
1.#WorldAgainstRacism international coordination joint website: www.worldagainstracism.org #WorldAgainstRacism joint Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/638497209939281
/2.Stand Up To Racism is a broad based anti-racist organisation supported by the labour and trade union movement. 16 March assembling: London – 12 noon Park Lane; Glasgow 11am George Square; Cardiff 11am City Hall. Web: www.standuptoracism.org.ukEmail: info@standuptoracism.org.ukTwitter: @AntiRacismDay
3. Love Music Hate Racism website: https://www.lovemusichateracism.com/events-campaigns/