PCS supporting Stand up to Racism mobilisation

Calls to support demonstrations on Wednesday (7) to defend asylum support centres and show solidarity with refugees and communities who have been targeted by the far right in recent days.

PCS is supporting Stand Up to Racism demonstrations across regions tomorrow (7) which have been called in response to the worrying escalation in far right violence in recent days. Following the tragic events in Southport last week in which three innocent children lost their lives, the far right have stoked misinformation and racial hatred in working class communities, resulting in shameful scenes and unimaginable violence towards members of our communities. 

Stand Up to Racism demonstrations will be taking place at numerous locations and details can be found on the SU2R website.

We are urging branches to liaise with regional colleagues to support communities, mosques and businesses which have been directly affected by recent events. Trade unions are coming together to show their love, support and solidarity and we are proud to be part of a movement which has unity at its heart.

Our ARAF (anti racist anti fascist) strategy gives members and reps the tools you need to identify and counteract dangerous, racist narratives. We urge members who are attending any counter demonstrations to read through the safety guidance on page 12 of the document. Details can also be found below:

  1. Appoint a contact person for every event, including public meetings; 
  2. Issue phone contact number for use by attendees; 
  3. Where possible check people in and out of events to ensure they are safe; 
  4. Appoint stewards and hold stewards meetings; 
  5. Where possible stewards to steward their own part of any march or event (as they know the people attending); 
  6. Be vigilant and aware of your immediate environment and if concerned go to a public area and call the police; 
  7. Operate a text message “buddy system” with your colleagues, so you know when colleagues are meant to get to meetings and when you have returned home.

If you are confronted at any demonstration:

  1. Stay together and use the contact number to alert the main contact and/or the police; 
  2. Alert the nearest steward; 
  3. Fascists thrive on fear and intimidation. In any situation where you feel threatened, intimidated or harassed the first port of call should be the police;
  4. As hard as it is to walk away from somebody who is confrontational, walking away without engaging with them is the safest approach; 
  5. If necessary walk into spaces like crowded areas, shops etc where there are plenty of people around to see that you are being harassed. Take advantage of areas where there is CCTV; 
  6. Do not walk to your home or car if you are being followed. It is unlikely that you will be attacked in broad daylight.

We urge members to stay vigilant, stay safe and stay in a group when attending demonstrations. We are proud to stand with unions and campaign groups fighting racism in all its forms and we send our solidarity to everyone who has been affected by these horrendous attacks. We are united in our fight against fascism.