Gary Younge on why we need to ‘put our shoulders to the wheel’ in the fight against racism in the coming months! HERE |
Gary Younge, Claudia Webbe MP, leading trade unionists, campaigners from faith groups, justice campaigns and anti racists from across the world were among speakers who took part in an unprecedented World Against Racism ONLINE rally for UN Anti Racism Day You can watch, and share, the full rally here Demonstrations were set to take place across the world on Saturday 21 March for UN Anti Racism Day, but have been postponed in many of the countries taking part due to the Coronovirus crisis. Saturday’s online rally not only brought together this fantastic spread of speakers tackling issues from the Windrush deportations scandal, to solidarity with refugees, to opposing the hostile environment, Islamophobia, Antisemitism and rise in racist towards those perceived to be Chinese. It was also joined by thousands who commented and participated during the event. The coronavirus crisis is raising massive questions about the society we live in. Donald Trump’s attempt to brand the virus a ‘Chinese virus’ shows the scapegoating and racism at the heart of our the systems. Hungary’s openly antisemitic leader Viktor Orbán blames migration and ‘foreigners’ for the disease. Across the world the racist right is reacting in similar ways. Anti racists around the world must continue to connect and speak out to highlight that it is this kind of racist rhetoric that has led to a spike in racist attacks and spreads fear. Stand Up To Racism is calling for unity in the face of these threats, but already in Britain planned draconian legislation is set to target BAME communities. Anti racists are stressing that the report into the Windrush scandal shows the racism at the heart of the Tory government and its hostile environment for migrants Sign our campaigning statement here We will be running more online meetings, stay posted for details of future online events to come shortly. Please give generously to, and share widely, our crowdfunder here, in these strange and volatile times, we need more than ever to build a mass, fighting, united anti racist movement to take on racist populism and the far right. |