The branch is encouraging all our members to attend Aberdeen Trades Union Council’s annual St Andrew’s Day rally against racism and fascism, being held on Saturday 27th November 2021. The event is being held online once again this year.The event will take place from 12 noon until 1.15pm. You can join it from the Facebook event by clicking HERE
It will be chaired by ATUC Executive member, Fiona Napier and will hear from trade unionists from local branches as well as speakers from further afield, representing Aberdeen Trades Union Council’s commitment to international solidarity in the fight against racism and fascism. We will also have some music and poetry in the mix so it promises to be a lively and interesting event.
Branch members Segun Adebayo and Claire Taylor Brown will both be speakers at this event so it would be great if you can get along to support them both.
ATUC president, Graeme Farquhar, who will be opening the event said: “Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland has a proud history of opposing racism and fascism and of international solidarity.
“We are proud to see this tradition continue as we welcome refugees and asylum seekers from Syria and Afghanistan as well as migrants from many other countries and other parts of Scotland and the UK.
“But we must be constantly vigilant as we see attempts including by this UK Tory government, to demonise migrants and asylum seekers and to sow division.
“Like the STUC event, our rally today will underline our commitment to root out racism and fascism in all its forms and to send the message loud and clear. Refugees are welcome here.”
STUC St Andrew’s Day event Glasgow
For our members living and working in the central belt, the STUC will be holding an in person St Andrew’s Day March and Rally entitled Pushing Back: Marching Forward
Assemble 10.30 Glasgow Green
March off 11.00
Rally Renfield Centre 12.15 – 13.15
You must register for the rally as numbers are limited. Register for the rally
This year the STUC looks back on 25 years of campaigning activity driven forward by our Black Workers Committee and we celebrate the bravery and solidarity of the BAME community in fighting back against racism and fascism.
Whether organising against the far right, campaigning for the closure of Dungavel, the fight for Justice for Surjit Singh Chhokar or the ongoing fight for justice for Sheku Bayoh, trade unionists have stood shoulder to shoulder with the BAME community.
PUSHING BACK
But as we look back, we also have to push back. In May, in a historic display of defiance, the people of Glasgow pushed back the Home Office’s dawn-raid policy and the specific targeting of Sumit Sehdev and Lakhvir Singh. Hundreds of Glaswegians including many trade unionists gathered in Kenmure Street to block the dawn-raid vans.
We take inspiration from the Kenmure Street protests, but dawn-raids have not stopped and they are just one inhumane example of the UK Government’s racist immigration policy.
MARCHING FORWARD
When we march on 27th November it is to underline our commitment to root out racism and fascism in all its forms and to send the message loud and clear. Refugees are welcome here.