Calderdale Trades Union Council statement on riots
Monday 12 August 2024
Calderdale TUC send our sincerest condolences to the families of all those killed and injured in the heinous Southport stabbings.
Following the tragic murder of three children at a dance class, there has been a spate of far-right riots and demonstrations across the UK. Calderdale TUC condemns these riots and renews our commitment to organise against racism and anti-migrant violence.
Far right figures have used events in Southport to fuel racist and anti-migrant feeling by spreading false narratives about the identity of the murderer. These far right figures use lies and disinformation to sow division and promote violence. They have used social media extensively to bring their supporters onto the streets. Across the trades union movement, we must stand against this.
Mainstream politicians and the media have too frequently platformed and promoted racist and anti-migrant arguments. Political parties including Labour have competed to appear tougher than one-another on migrants. This has helped create the space in which far right arguments have been able to take hold. The labour movement must wake up to the fact that mainstreaming ugly far right views only promotes far right politics and political movements.
For ten months now, there have been peaceful Palestine solidarity demonstrations on our streets. Attacks by the far right are also attacks on our diverse anti-racist, anti-war movement as well as attacks on our communities. Muslim communities, migrant communities, Black communities have been visibly politicised, and have been joined in solidarity by white activists.
Our diverse working class has been organising on our streets, and the far right as well as many mainstream media outlets and politicians have hated this. Continuing to organise in solidarity with Palestine will be an important part of our response to the riots, and we call on the labour and trade union movement to support this organising locally and nationally. Trades unions should be visible as part of this movement.
We must play our part in helping to organise stewarding and support for counter-demonstrations against the far right and have our banners prominent at events.
Calderdale TUC supports a policy of safe passage for asylum seekers and refugees.
We call on trades unionists, anti-racist campaigners and Labour Party members to urge MPs to seek to change national Labour Party policy on migration and to press the Party to confront racism with the serious commitment the issue deserves.
Finally, Calderdale TUC expresses our ongoing commitment to supporting anti-racist, anti-fascist organising in opposition to the far right.