Saturday 17 March, 11am Holland Street, Glasgow G2 4NJ
Rally George Square, Glasgow.
On Saturday, March 17th, anti-racists will take to the streets of cities throughout Europe and elsewhere to challenge the alarming rise of racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and scapegoating of refugees and migrants.
Stand in solidarity with campaigners who will be marching in Germany, Austria and Poland where the fascists have made electoral gains.
If we are to defeat the rise of racism, we need a united movement of everyone who opposes it. The #MarchAgainstRacism is a chance to bring that movement together and show that we will not be silent..
#MarchAgainstRacism Sctoland speakers:
- Richard Leonard, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
- Alison Thewliss, Scottish National Party
- Satnam Ner, STUC President
- Davena Rankin, UNISON NEC
- Aamer Anwar, Human Rights Lawyer
- Larry Flanagan, EIS General Secretary
- Amal Azzudin and Emma Clifford Bell, Glasgow Girls
- Sabir Zazai, CEO Scottish Refugee Council
- Reverend Ian Galloway, Church of Scotland
- Because of religious observance, a statement will be read from the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities
- Eurig Scandrett, University College Union
- Professor Henry Maitles, the University of the West of Scotland
- UNITE union and other speakers will be announced soon
Stand up to Racism Statement
Stand up to Racism is a broad coalition comprising many civic organisations, refugee and migrant communities, as well as trade unions, political organisations and individuals. The key criteria are opposition to the rising tide of racism, Islamophobia, Antisemitism and the scapegoating of refugees and migrants. If you support these principles please come and join us on M17.
List of organisations supporting the demonstration:
Scottish Trades Union Congress, Unison Scotland, Unite the Union Scotland, Educational Institute of Scotland, University and College Union Scotland, Scottish Labour Party, Church of Scotland, Justice and Peace Scotland, Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, Scottish Refugee Council, Scottish Faiths Action For Refugees, Robina Qureshi, Director, Positive Action In Housing, Show Racism The Red Card, City of Edinburgh Unison, Glasgow City Unison, Unison South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh College EIS-Fela, Unite Scottish Housing Associations branch, Unite NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Unite GPM and IT Branch, Unite Glasgow Retired members, MEND, Afghan Human Rights Foundation, Social Work Action Network, The People’s Assembly Scotland, Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Govanhill Against Racism, Maryhill Integration Network, Perth Against Racism, Scottish Women’s Convention, Women for Independence Glasgow, Scottish Jews For A Just Peace, PCS Scotland, RMT, FBU Scotland, Interfaith Glasgow, Glasgow Unite Community Branch.
Quotes from supporters of the March Against Racism in Glasgow:
Nicola Sturgeon, MSP, First Minister, Scotland
‘I send my very best wishes for a successful event for a very important cause.’
Richard Leonard, Leader of Scottish Labour Party
“It is the duty of all of us to educate, agitate and organise against the rise in racism whenever and wherever it raises its head. Which is why I will be at the March against Racism on March 17. We need to put forward the positive alternative of an equal and tolerant society and work to achieve that. We need to demonstrate that achieving this uplifts all of us.”
Aamer Anwar, Human Rights Lawyer, Rector of Glasgow University
‘At a time of the rise of the far right across Europe and the politics of scapegoating of Muslims and immigrants it is more important than ever we send a message that we are united against hatred. These people operate on the fringes of our communities but must be opposed each time they try to raise their heads.’
Larry Flanagan, General Secretary of EIS
‘The EIS believes it is essential to build broad support for combatting racism in all its forms and that is why we will again be supporting Saturday’s demonstration. Together, united, trade unions and campaign groups can express our opposition to those who would seek to divide us.’
Muslim Engagement and Development:
‘Muslim Engagement and Development are proud to be supporters of the national demonstration marching against racism.
At a time when Islamophobia continues to rise it becomes further incumbent upon us to stand together as a society and say NO! to Islamophobia.
The conviction of Paul Moore for attempted murder in recent weeks, for running over a Muslim woman in Leicester is a stark reminder of the racism and intolerance that persists in our society.
Islamophobia is not just a Muslim problem; it is a social justice problem; it is a human problem. So let us all stand united in our opposition to Islamophobia, anti-semitism, homophobia and racism.
Ephraim Borowski, Scottish Council of Jewish Communities:
‘The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC) is pleased to send its support to those throughout the world who are promoting the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. SCoJeC is unable to send an official representative to the rally because it is on the Jewish Shabbat, but we send our good wishes and our endorsement of the aspiration of this UN designated day – the elimination of all forms of hatred and discrimination.
We share the concerns of all reasonable people about the increasing volume, hostility, and aggressiveness of racist and xenophobic rhetoric, especially in social media, and the consequent normalisation of such language. We are particularly concerned by assaults on the integrity of minority communities, including on their right to determine their own identity.
Although we are naturally most concerned by the record and increasing number of antisemitic incidents in Scotland and the UK, we do not believe that hate crime against any other religious or racial group is any less serious, and it naturally concerns us when that attitude is not reciprocated by those from whom we would expect support. To deny, misrepresent, or dismiss Jewish concerns about antisemitism in circumstances in which similar concerns from any other community would be endorsed and acted upon is itself a form of antisemitism, just as the converse would be racist and discriminatory.
We trust that every individual and organisation supporting this rally would endorse that principle, and we reiterate our support for all those working for the elimination of all forms of racial and religious hatred.’
Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council:
‘My expertise in refugee protection and integration are informed by my personal journey as a refugee from Afghanistan. It is due to my research interest in social cohesion and intercultural dialogue that I am supporting M17 Stand up to Racism protest.’
