Tomorrow: London UKIP/Tommy Robinson to be opposed by leavers and remainers against racism & fascism

PRESS RELEASE  – FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Thursday 28 March 2019
 

This Friday 29 March, UKIP and Tommy Robinson have called a ‘Make Brexit happen’ demo in Whitehall. A counter demonstration of anti-racists, trade unionists, faith groups and politicians both leave and remain will take place against them from 4-5pm on Richmond Terrace, between Whitehall and Embankment.

This week ievidence emerged that Robinson’s close associates Generation Identity were funded by the Christchurch terrorist. Anti-racist campaigners are clear that UKIP’s event is not a legitimate protest over Brexit, but a further attempt to promote a racist, divisive agenda and create a violent street movement. Ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage recently described his former party as the new British National Party because of links to Tommy Robinson. Just weeks after the Christchurch attack and with local elections on the horizonanti-racists believe it is vital that this attempt by the far-right to hijack the Brexit debate is opposed on the basis that whether we voted Leave or Remain we cannot allow the far right to divide us and spread hate.

Last December’s ‘Brexit Betrayal’ rally organised by UKIP was outnumbered by a large, united counter-demonstration in what was seen by many as a turning point in the campaign against the rise of the far-right.

Anas Al-Tikriti, President of the Muslim Council of Britain said:
“If the Christchurch terrorist massacre proved anything, it is that the far-right must never be treated as just another political viewpoint.
“The narrative of racism, discrimination, hate and Islamophobia costs lives. It is despicable that the likes of Tommy Robinson continue to enjoy media and political coverage hence virtually rewarded for his extremist ideology.
“All those who stand by him and afford him succour must be seen within the same construct of hate from which the Christchurch terrorist emerged.”

 Shahrar Ali Green Party Home Affairs spokesperson said,“Those who would seek to stoke division and hatred following the Christchurch massacre, in a nation already divided over Brexit, are insidious in the extreme. At every turn, we will resist and rail against racist ideology from whichever corner it rears its ugly head.”

Kevin Courtney, NEU Joint General Secretary said:“It’s vital that we don’t let far right and facists capitalise on this moment of national crisis. Tommy Robinson is not a respectable politician but a far right islamophobic racist. Nigel Farage is right to say that UKIP, with its links to Robinson under new leader Gerard Batten, is now a far right party. It’s important to say this publicly and to oppose their attempts to whip up hatred.” Sending his solidarity to the demonstration, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said:
“Greetings from the PCS and solidarity to all those opposed to Tommy Robinson and his ilk.
“We need to send a clear message- whether you voted leave or remain in the referendum, we must fight all attempts to blame migrants for our economic woes and start blaming the real culprits – the government and big business.
“People from other countries should be welcome here and we must be resolute in our determination to rid our country of racists and fascists forever.”

 Sabby Dhalu – co convenor of Stand Up To Racism (SUTR )said
“As evidence emerged this week that Tommy Robinson’s associates Generation Identity were funded by the Christchurch attacker, it could not be more clear the global far right is increasingly working together to spread hatred & violence.
“Whatever our views on Brexit, it is vital that all who oppose the agenda of the far-right make clear that they do not speak for us.”


Weyman Bennett, co convenor Stand Up To Racism, said: 
“UKIP and Robinson are out to promote the politics of racism and divide and rule. Robinson is working hand in glove with UKIP’s leader Gerard Batten.
“Their protest this Friday is not a genuine demonstration about Brexit, it’s simply a platform to spread their extreme far right agenda.
“Robinson and UKIP are promoting a vile Islamophobic, racist agenda, along with their violent friends in the Democratic Football Lads Alliance (DFLA). They want to create a far right street movement and build support for UKIP off the backs of the Theresa May’s Brexit crisis. 

 
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