St Andrews Day March and Rally 2016

Celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East of Scotland

Branch secretary Inez marches with the branch banner

The branch joined hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - as they came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen.

This was a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and the marchers gave a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The branch was proud to donate to the cost of a bus to bring the new Syrian Scots from Inverurie to the march.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Gallowgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.  However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

For more on the rally go to the Aberdeen Trades Union Council blog.

For more photos of the event click here

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Come along to the St Andrews Day March and Rally and celebrate diversity in the North East of Scotland

Sat 26th November 2016

Members are urged to attend this year's St Andrew's Day March and Rally in Aberdeen which will be held on Saturday 26th November and will celebrate diversity in the North East of Scotland.

Click here for a poster

Organiser, Aberdeen Trades Union Council has joined forces with #We are Aberdeen, a new campaign in the North East of Scotland to bring people and communities together to respond to the recent rise of intolerance across the UK.

Marchers will gather at 11am in the St Nicholas Churchyard, Union Street, Aberdeen to march off at 11.30am for a rally in the Castlegate at 12 noon.

Kate Ramsden, President of the ATUC said, "We are delighted to be working with #We are Aberdeen to celebrate the diversity of our communities in the North East of Scotland.

"Everyone is welcome on the march, to give the message that racism will not be tolerated in the North East of Scotland. We see this as a family event and I would love to see people bringing their own stories and positive messages, such as colourful banners, placards and posters."

The march will be led off by the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band so will be a rousing affair. The rally will hear from speakers from community groups, trade unions and politicians representing the multi-cultural voices of the North East.

Following the rally, there will be songs and poetry from Ray Moore, Davy Kettyles and others in La Lombarda in the Castlegate. Please come and join us there too.

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