WE WILL not stand back and allow the far right to attempt to divide us, unions vowed today.
Violence has gripped Britain after far-right agitators exploited the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport to push their racist agenda.
The unrest was sparked after lies spread online claiming that the attacker, who was born in Britain to a Christian family, was Muslim and a migrant.
Immigration centres, mosques and hotels housing asylum-seekers have been targeted in rallies circulated on far-right social media channels.
Rioters attacked hotels in Rotherham and Tamworth and attempted to set them ablaze.
National monitoring group Tell Mama has said there has been a fivefold increase in threats to Muslims, such as of rape and death in the past week, and a threefold rise in hate crimes.
The FBU, RMT, CWU and NEU are among the unions that have issued calls encouraging members to help offer support to mosques and refugee centres on the ground.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Austerity, cutting pay and trashing public services were choices made by right-wing politicians in the interests of big business — not by migrants.”
He added that the Labour government has “a duty to offer an alternative, rather than pandering to anti-migrant rhetoric.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has so far failed to call out the Islamophobic nature of the violence.
He only condemned culprits involved as “far-right thugs” several days after the unrest began.
Since taking office, Labour has continued to echo the Tories’ anti-immigrant rhetoric, pledging to intensify border controls.
The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) took aim at the racist rhetoric from politicians and the media that has “sustained and fed the far right,” adding that they bear a “share of the responsibility for now what is happening in our streets.”
The body urged an “alternative economic and political strategy to reverse the economic and social decline that has provided a breeding ground for fascist ideas.”
It said any long-term strategy must take seriously the need to tackle discrimination and inequality, deliver stable employment and give communities hope for the future.
“This means investment in our economy and in public services, increasing pay, and rebuilding the social fabric of our society,” it added.
National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede said the violence must provide a “watershed moment for change.”
He said: “Divisive, hateful language and negative, racist stereotypes have a real and immediate impact on classrooms and on the wellbeing of students and educators.
“The current curriculum review must respond to these urgent social issues and investigate how to build an anti-racist curriculum that boosts engagement, self-esteem and a sense of belonging for every child.
“Our children have the right to grow up without fear.”
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) said it had long warned of the far-right “spreading racist hate amongst communities that are often marginalised and under-resourced.”
It vowed to “not stand back and allow the far right to attempt to divide us.”
The country is braced for more unrest tonight after 39 locations, including immigration solicitors and refugee services, were found to be on far-right “hit lists” circulated on social media.
Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director Steve Valdez-Symonds said: “Access to legal and support services, and the freedom to deliver these, are vital to safeguarding our basic rights.
“Serious reflection is now urgently required from political leaders and commentators regarding the language they use and the policies they promote. ”
Stand Up to Racism is among those organising counter-demonstrations to ensure community defence and resistance to attacks, and has also called for a national day of protest in every town and city on Saturday.
Its co-convener Weyman Bennett said: “Our protests must unite black, white, Muslim, Jewish, LGBT+ people to stand against the far right threat.
“We have beaten them before, and we will beat them again through unity and solidarity.”
