Unite Against Fascism (UAF) has issued the following statement responding the comments by Trevor Phillips as outlined in his article in the Daily Mail.
For more information please contact info@uaf.org.uk.
Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett, Joint National Secretaries of Unite Against Fascism said:
“Trevor Phillips has lost touch with reality. Racist stereotypes are based on racist lies not facts. Multiculturalism – people from different backgrounds getting along in peace and harmony – is under attack. The sexual exploitation, abuse and violence towards women and children would not disappear if anti-racism disappeared. All oppression in society: racism, homophobia, sexism and misogyny must be rooted out of society. Failing to challenge racism and other forms of oppression simply makes it worse. Now more than ever we must challenge racism and other stereotypes because immigrants, those on benefits and others are wrongly scapegoated for austerity and the devastating attacks on living standards it has led to.
“One should not take lectures on racism from some one who participated in the abolition of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). The CRE was abolished. Unfortunately racism was not. Instead of conceding to racism and dancing to UKIP’s tune Trevor Phillips should be campaigning against it. We have received tremendous support for the stand up to racism and fascism demonstration taking place on Saturday in central London, precisely because racism is not only alive and kicking but rising. People are fed up with it and want to take action against it.”