This branch/ region/ executive notes:
1. The Sunak government’s intensification of racism and scapegoating and the likelihood of this escalating as we approach a general election
2. The continued attempts by the government to deliver the Rwanda deportation plan, their ‘Stop The Boats’ campaign, the use of ex-military bases and the Bibby Stockholm prison barge to house refugees – policies that breach internationally recognised human rights and have led to many needless and tragic deaths
3. That the British government’s divisive rhetoric has emboldened a new far right in Britain.
4. The very real threat we are seeing of the growing success for racist, far right and fascist forces across Europe, the US and internationally
5. The attempts to use dog-whistle politics by the government have been met by widespread protests and legal challenges led by trade unions.
6. Across Britain, we have seen successful campaigns to stop racists and fascists organise against refugees, from Elgin and Erskine in Scotland, all the way to Portland in Dorset.
7. Ongoing institutional racism across Britain, and ongoing police racism and violence, reflected in the Child Q scandal and mass protests in the wake of the killing of Chris Kaba. All the ongoing justice campaigns following deaths in custody and fighting to expose institutional racism. The public inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh, whose family have called ‘Scotland’s George Floyd’, at the hands of Police Scotland in Kirkcaldy in 2015, and the campaign for justice that has seen trade unionists and anti-racists protest at the inquiry and attend sessions.
This branch/ region/ executive believes:
1. The government’s deliberate focus on intensifying scapegoating rhetoric and pushing through racist policies is an attempt to divert from the crisis they are responsible for – from failings over the pandemic to the cost of living crisis, and attacks on pay and conditions
2. If the government – and other mainstream politicians who echo racist arguments – succeed in winning people to this narrative, it will immensely weaken our ability to resist attacks on trade union members and the workplaces and communities they defend.
3. Unity is our strength. Racism is about dividing us in the workplace and our communities, and weakening our collective response to the cost of living crisis.
4. Broad based, united and mass opposition to racism, the far right and fascism can successfully push back the threat they pose to divide our workplaces and communities.
This branch/ region/ executive resolves:
1. To back the Stand Up To Racism and TUC co-sponsored demonstrations in London on 16 March, Glasgow on 16 March (also backed by the STUC) and in Cardiff (also backed by the Welsh TUC) on 17 March for UN Anti Racism Day 2024, and to send and fund the travel for a delegation to attend with the banner.
2. To support, promote and send representatives to any local and regional initiatives organised by Stand Up To Racism, such as mobilising assemblies, film showings, planning meetings, etc, in the build up to the March demonstrations
3. To support the 7 March mobilising day of action with workplaces selfies and actions, local mass leafletings, and the TUC & SUTR Twitterstorm and social media blitz to get #StopRacism #StopTheHate trending
4. To support mobilisations and ensure the union is represented at any counter protests and unity events in the face of racist, far right or fascist attempts in the area to organise
5. To make a donation of £______ to Stand Up To Racism towards the costs of the demonstration, protests and other initiatives.
6. To affiliate/re-affiliate to Stand Up To Racism at a cost of £100 (branch) / £250 (region) / £1000 (national) annually.
