| Share Tweet Forward Weekend of anti racist anti fascist mobilisations bring hundreds out, driving back the far right Stand Up To Racism has been mobilising across Britain opposing the far right and challenging the government’s racist hostile environment – Erskine and Newcastle saw victories over the weekend…  The weekend saw a significant victory in Erskine, Scotland, against fascists who have been trying to grow amidst a wider racist reaction to a hotel housing refugees. See national press coverage here Over 400 anti racists and anti fascists turned out for the protest named “The Big One” called by Stand Up To Racism and the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), with support ranging from cultural figures including comedien Frankie Boyle and writer Irvine Welsh, to unions and the wider anti racist movement. Buses came from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, and crucially there was a large number of local residents who turned out too, to say loud and clear: “All out to welcome refugees, support Erskine anti racists, and stop the Nazi ‘Homeland party’. There were speeches from across the trade union and anti racist movement, including refugees from the hotel, local residents and STUC general secretary Roz Foyer. Nazis in fascist group Patriotic Alternative, and now their split the Homeland ‘party’, have run a weekly campaign of intimidation and hatred against refugees in Erskine, where asylum seekers have been housed by the Home Office in the Muthu hotel. The Scottish far right had hoped to have a breakthrough in Erskine and they have thrown all their resources at it, emboldened by Suella Braverman’s racist rhetoric trying to blame refugees and migrants for the cost of living crisis. But every Sunday, they have been opposed by local residents, trade unionists and anti racist campaigners who have rejected their poisonous politics and defended the hotel. Sunday’s mobilisation – a massive victory for the anti racist and anti fascist movement – was the result of consistent and strategic organising that has been effective in drawing in broad forces and building a mass movement response in order to drive a wedge that can isolate fascists seeking to grow, and organise in areas to take on the racist arguments too and defeat them on the ground. On the day, while hundreds rallied in support of refugees, the fascists and far right were a no show! Some of the banners there on Sunday…  In Newcastle, Saturday saw 200 people attending a demo and rally to oppose fascists who were set to protest but didnt show up. Anti racists in Cardiff also mobilised against a mobilisation for “15 minute cities” where far right groups and neo Nazi individuals were looking to push their poisonous propaganda in the city at a demonstration called over the issue of ’15 Minute Cities’. Meanwhile, Bexhill Stand Up To Racism brought over 200 local people to take part in the De La Warr event of ‘Restoration and Support’ in response to racist vandals who spray painted white paint on the skin of the spectacular sculpture of a black woman. People queued up to remove the paint in a collective community response. Tschabalala Self, the artist, sent a message of support and vowed to continue to make works of art that celebrate the presence of black women and that challenge the narrative of the global west. Daniel Rushby, speaking for Bexhill Stand Up Racism, thanked The De La Warr for enabling people in Bexhill to show that it is not a racist town. He accused the government of racist scapegoating of refugees. UPCOMING ANTI RACIST PROTESTS & EVENTS… Throughout the spring and summer, Stand Up To Racism is holding fringe events and running stalls at trade union conferences – look out for us at yours! We will produce a round up bulletin next month with pictures and reports from across the trade union conferences – we have been proud to work alongside our union colleagues in building anti racism through the heart of the trade union and strike movements, fighting for anti racist workplaces. SAT 27 MAY 👉🏿 Far right Turning Point UK and their fascist friends are once again targeting the Honour Oak pub & the #LGBT+ community… join anti fascists and anti racists opposing them…  👉🏿 Let’s say #NotMyBill & defend the #RightToProtest next Saturday, Parliament Sq, 12 noon… SAT 3 JUNE  👉🏿 TUC Midlands & Stand Up To Racism regional conference:BUILDING UNITY – FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE RACIST OFFENSIVESaturday 3 June, 10.30am, CWU offices, 47 Summer Lane, Birmingham. B19 3TH. Register here SAT 10 JUNE 👉🏿 Oppose Nazis in Leeds – No Racism No Fascism – Refugees Welcome The ‘Yorkshire Patriots’ a Nazi group think they’re going to come to Leeds and spread their filth unopposed. We won’t put up with their racism and fascism. More details to be announced – follow Facebook event here. SAT 8 JULY 👉🏿 Let’s keep Lincoln fascist free – oppose Hitler look alike Alek Yerbury & his Nazi friends!  Stand Up To Racism was at the heart of all of these anti fascist protests, mobilising and organising.We need a mass anti racist movement in Britain to oppose government racism and to stop the growth of the far right. Please help us grow Join us now |