UN Anti-Racism Day was marked by many international demonstrators on Saturday 21st March 2015, where people stood up to racism and fascism. Parliamentarians, Trade unionists, Faith communities anti-racism activists, youth and students joined the national demonstration by marching through Cntral London.
This mass demonstration commemorated UN Anti-Racism Day which was also part of series of mobilisations which took place in cities across the world.
The main messages that came from this demonstration were, “Stand up to racism and fascism - No to Islamophobia -Stamp out anti-Semitism – Black Lives Matter - Immigrants are welcome here – yes to diversity.”
MP Diane Abbott stated, “A wave of ugly immigrant-bashing racism is sweeping through Britain, led by UKIP, pandered to by the media and conceded to by many others. This demonstration is the start of the fight back. We have to gather everyone willing to stand up to racism.”
Senior Lecturer of the University of East Anglia, Marina Prentoulis said, “The banner of the International Brigades at the Peoples’ Museum, Manchester is a precious reminder of how we came together, volunteers from 53 different nations, to fight fascism in Spain in 1936. Once again, we are called today to fight against the rise of fascism and racism across Europe. Once again, we have to unite across nations and once again we have to form a wall that extremism in all its forms, from Islamophobia to Anti-Semitism and Nazism will not pass.”
Gethin Roberts, Founding member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners added, “Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners was formed because we believed in solidarity- standing up for others when they are under attack. 30 years ago it was the miners that were under attack, today its Muslims, migrants and others who are being scapegoated and vilified and who are on the receiving end of racism and bigotry. The bigotry used against these communities in the morning is used against LGBTI communities in the afternoon. That’s why we say, stand up to racism and why we are proud to join the UN Anti-Racism Day demonstration.”