Activists are creating ‘a buzz’ for anti-racist unity demos

Hundreds came out for a Unity demonstration in north London earlier this year (Pic: Dave Gilchrist)

Anti-racists are getting organised against the growing threat of the far right in Britain. 

Whether it’s Reform UK, Restore Britain, or the likes of fascist Tommy Robinson, we need to confront them whenever they appear. 

And to do that we need to build as big and broad an anti-racist movement as possible. Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) has called unity marches and rallies across the country this autumn to do just that. 

Socialist Worker spoke to SUTR activists in Birmingham, London and Manchester about how they’re building them. 

On Saturday 26 September, anti-racists in Manchester will be marching and holding  a rally in the city centre. 

Alison, from Greater Manchester SUTR told Socialist Worker that there was already a “buzz” around the day. 

“We’ve launched a publicity campaign on our social media and we’re having to update our leaflets almost daily as more and more groups sign on.”

Called by Greater Manchester SUTR, the event is already supported by a broad range of activists, campaign groups and trade unions. 

The BFAWU union, Unison and Unite are all supporting it, along with the Salford and Trafford Trades Councils. 

And it’s pulling in wider layers of people. Care4Calais, Climate Justice Coalition, Stop the War, Time for Real Change and Women Against The Far Right are all on board. 

It’s a testament to the tireless efforts of anti-racists in the Greater Manchester area, who have campaigned against the threat of far right Reform UK in three by-elections—Gorton and Denton, Makerfield and the Greater Manchester mayoral race. 

“We’re lucky to have established SUTR groups in Greater Manchester. But already, we’re starting to see new ones pop up in places we haven’t been active before, in Rochdale, for example. 

“When we talk to people, they’re shocked by the rise in racism, especially in light of the witch-hunt that led to Professor Jason Arday’s death. But they also want to do something. 

“They’re asking for help. But they’re also starting to do things on their own initiative. It’s all so exciting,” she said.  

At a recent anti-fascist demonstration in Shrewsbury, where Ryan Bridges from “Raise the colours” and his far right thugs were outnumbered almost four to one, activists leafletted for Birmingham SUTR’s unity march on Sunday 4 October. 

“This is a priority for all anti-racists, not only in Birmingham but across the West Midlands,” Chris, an activist from Wolverhampton, told Socialist Worker. 

And in north London, on Saturday 14 November, activists will march from Wood Green in Haringey to Finsbury Park in Islington. 

They’ve called the demonstration to coincide with Islamophobia awareness month. But they’ll also be marching under the banner of fighting antisemitism, and remembering Professor Jason Arday. 

Maia, an activist and student, said SUTR is pushing out as much as possible. 

“We’re speaking to as many people as we can. We want to build a student bloc, with people from University College London (UCL) and London Metropolitan University. 

“The students at UCL are organising a ‘Love metal, hate racism’ gig on Friday 18 September to build for it,” she said. 

And Fynn has been speaking to striking workers on their picket line. “I’ve been up to the Arriva bus depot in Wood Green, where drivers are out on strike over their working conditions. 

“We’re trying to get a delegation of Unite strikers on our march, with their union banner,” he said. 

As Alison said, “There’s everything to play for. If you think a door might be closed to you, it’s not. You just have to knock and push through it. 

“The answer to division and hate has to be unity.”