LMHR and our sister organisation Unite Against Fascism have called a national demonstration against racism, fascism and Islamophobia on Saturday 6 November in central London.
The demo – to be followed by an indoor LMHR carnival – is backed by the Trades Union Congress and the Muslim Council of Britain. And over the past week, a whole host of union leaders have signed the statement supporting the event – see below.
Details
Assemble 12 noon, Malet Street, London WC1
We will have information about transport from towns and cities around the country – and the artists playing at the event – very soon. Watch this space!
>> Add your name or your organisation’s name to the statement
>> Download leaflets here
>> Model motion for trade union branches and community organisations
Statement
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by the rise in fascism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and racism. The English Defence League has organised events across the country, stirring up hatred, Islamophobia and racism – running riot in some cases and provoking violent attacks on Muslim, black and Asian communities and on Mosques and Mandirs (Hindu temples).
Alongside this the British National Party has received unprecedented electoral support for a fascist organisation in Britain.
Despite losing many council seats in the elections this year, the BNP’s share of the vote overall continued to rise and it has two elected members of the European Parliament.
This is in the context of a wave of Islamaphobia and racism in Europe and the USA, including threats to burn copies of the Qur’an, attacks on Mosques and Islamic cultural centres, bans on Muslim women’s full-face veils and the construction of minarets. In France, the Roma people have been singled out and subjected to mass expulsions.
Now, more than ever, we must unite to turn back this tide of hatred.
We stand against the rise of racism, fascism, Islamophobia and antisemitism and support the demonstration on Saturday 6 November.
Signed:
Derek Simpson joint general secretary Unite the union, Tony Woodley joint general secretary Unite the union, Keith Sonnet deputy general secretary Unison, Paul Kenny general secretary GMB, Ed Balls MP, Diane Abbott MP, Billy Hayes general secretary CWU, Tony Kearns deputy general secretary CWU, Chris Keates general secretary NASUWT, Christine Blowe general secretary NUT, Kevin Courtney deputy general secretary NUT, Sally Hunt general secretary UCU, Mark Serwotka general secretary PCS, Hugh Lanning deputy general secretary PCS, Matt Wrack general secretary FBU, Bob Crow general secretary RMT, Jeremy Dear general secretary NUJ, Pete Murray president NUJ, Gerry Conlon Guildford Four, Paddy Hill Birmingham Six, Runnymede Trust, Napo, POA, Musicians Union
Pic: Nick Hider
Roberr Lucas said:
I am a lifelong ant-racist, its in my blood as much as my socialism and love of music. We have to be constantly at hand to stem the tide of all form of discrination, be it racism, facism, Islmophobia or sexism.
Rob said:
Are there any more details of the Carnival on the 6th (e.g. who is performing)? And are there going to be any leaflets for this as well as the demo? It would be nice to have a musically-orientated leaflet to give out at gigs in the run-up to the event.
tash said:
Hi Rob – haven’t got details yet, but we will post them here as soon as it’s all confirmed. I will pass on the suggestion about music-oriented leaflets, sounds like a good idea to me!
Liam Shaughnesasy said:
Do you need tickets? if so, where the hell do you get them from?
tash said:
Hi Liam – no you don’t need tickets for the event. It’s free! Just come along and bring your friends. The march assembles Malet Street, London WC1 at 12 noon, and will have some of our musicians playing on carnival floats with others performing at the end. If you are coming from outside London, you might need tickets for one of the coaches that are being organised from different towns and cities – go here for transport details. There will probably be a charge for coach tickets, but prices are usually reduced for school students/uni students/unwaged.