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There can be no turning back on anti-racist principles
We must defend the fair and reasonable policies on migration Labour has stood for in recent years, writes DIANE ABBOTT MP
Anti-racism campaigners attend a vigil outside the Home Office in Westminster, London, for the 39 people found dead inside a lorry in Essex

THE devastating coronavirus crisis here in Britain and across Europe has sparked increasing examples of racism and xenophobia towards Chinese and other Asian communities. Sadly this has included violent attacks on our streets.

On the international stage, this is mirrored by a refusal to learn from China, Vietnam and other Asian countries in terms of their approach to helping contain the virus and most obviously by President Trump’s stubborn insistence on referring to the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus” in press conferences that are televised all around the world.

The left and labour movement need to be absolutely clear that the global far-right’s increasing use of anti-Chinese and anti-migrant rhetoric is a classic case of divide and rule, aimed at turning workers against each other.

1) Refugees welcome here

2) No breaking promises to the Windrush generation and the “EU 3 Million”

3) Treating migrant workers fairly

4) Recognising the great contribution migrants make

5) No demonisation of migrants, or anyone on grounds of nationality or skin colour or religion

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