PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release
Wednesday 11 March 2020
WorldAgainstRacism says “Refugees welcome!
In recent weeks we have seen the shocking and brutal attacks by police, the army and the far right on refugees at the Greek border. At the same time, on the islands of both Lesvos and Chios, local people and refugees have rebelled against this racist treatment, with demonstrations and general strikes.
The severity of the refugee crisis and the racist response underline the choice that some of us have: we can allow this racism to take place—whether actively, or passively, with our silence—or else we can mobilise against it.
On Saturday 21 March, the #WorldAgainstRacism international network is preparing demonstrations across the world for UN Anti Racism Day.
The danger of the far-right is international, whether it’s Trump in the USA, Salvini in Italy, or the promoters of hatred and authoritarianism in other countries. Racism is also a growing and serious global problem.
We oppose all forms of racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, and the persecution of the Roma Gypsy Traveller communities.
We reject the rise in racism inflicted up Chinese communities as the racist ‘hostile environment’ shapes panic over the Coronovirus.
The humanitarian crisis on the borders of the European Union, as well as of the USA, gives added and urgent importance to the call “Refugees welcome!”
Right now, with people having to flee for their lives —from wars, climate chaos, oppression, poverty— it is clearer than ever that humanity only has a future on the basis of international solidarity.
On Saturday 21 March, people around the globe will raise their voices against all forms of racism, and in defence of human rights and democracy.
These protests are now less than two weeks away. Over this time, movements around the globe will be coordinating between themselves and working to involve more people and countries in these actions.
On 21 March we will demonstrate together in many countries: For the rights of refugees, against racism and against right-wing terror. #worldagainstracism
Signed by organisations:
- Stand Up To Racism, GB
- Aufstehen gegen Rassismus, Germany
- Comité 21 maart, Nederland
- Fællesinitiativet mod racisme og diskrimination/United against racism and discrimination, Denmark
- KEERFA, Greece
- Plattform für eine menschliche Asylpolitik, Österreic
- Unitat Contra el Feixisme i el Racisme, Catalunya
- United Against Racism and Fascism – NYC, USA
- Zjednoczeni Przeciw Rasizmowi, Poland
- Associazione Nazione Rom e Consiglio Nazionale Rom Sinti Caminanti, Italy
- Platform 21/03 against racism, Belgium
Stand Up To Racism (Britain) co-convenor Weyman Bennett said,
“Across the globe we are witnessing a dangerous rise in racism. Here in Britain and the US we see racist populism pushed from the heart of the establishment, and across Europe and elsewhere we are witnessing a terrifying growth of the far right and even the forces of fascism.
“Whether it’s the raft of racist policy threatening migrants, Muslims, and black and Asian people in this country, or the increasing polarisation and crisis around the world that is producing the horrors of Christchurch, Hanau, or Pittsburgh, it is clearly an urgent task for anti racist movements the worldwide to pull our forces.
“That’s why we are marching together, to deliver a show of force onto the streets against all forms of racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, and to reject the divisive hate of the racists and the far right. March with us on 21 March, in London, in Glasgow, and around the world”
Notes to editors:
1) Stand Up To Racism is a broad based organisation made up of anti-racists, students, trade unionists and faith groups. We organise various activities and events aimed at challenging the rise of racism.
2) World Against Racism is an international coordination of anti racist movements who work together, primarily on mobilising for UN Anti Racism Day demonstrations to be coordinated across the world, but also to learn from anti racist struggles in different contexts. See more at worldagainstracism.org