“We want to live in communities where people support each other, where we get to know our neighbours wherever they are from, and where we respect and enjoy our diversity.”
On Saturday 1 February, Stand Up To Racism held a mass protest against Tommy Robinson and the far right, Islington Councillor and Trade Union activist Ruth Hayes spoke at the rally on bringing communities together to tackle their rise. You can read a published version of her speech below.
I would like to start by thanking the Organisers for putting this demo on, and everyone here for taking the time to come. I am an active Trade Unionist as well as a Labour Councillor, and got involved because I am angry about injustice and want to work collectively to bring about change. It’s good to see a number of Islington comrades here!
We are here because we oppose the politics of hate that Tommy Robinson promotes, and we see the ways in which people are divided. Certain groups, often those facing the greatest challenges themselves, are blamed for what is wrong in society.
We know that leads to real consequences, with racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic abuse and attacks, and frightening threats against not only migrants and asylum seekers but also those who support them. It was shocking during the summer to have to send members of my Union branch advice on how to stay safe at work in the face of threats of physical attack because they work with migrant communities.
But we are also here because we have a bigger vision, because we believe in a better society. We want to live in communities where people support each other, where we get to know our neighbours wherever they are from, and where we respect and enjoy our diversity.
I know that in every community, there are people working to make things better – they volunteer at the food bank, they help their neighbours with their shopping, they run the tenants and residents association. As the slogan goes, “We are the people” – we are those people, and the people supporting Tommy Robinson want to do the complete opposite. They paint him as a victim and ignore the real injustices in our society.
These are difficult times across the globe, with a rise in far right activity, environmental destruction and economic inequality. We have to build a big movement, which can have the conversations with people, which can build relationships and which can defeat the hatred and lies and tackle the real issues. Today, we have done just that and we will win. We will not be silenced! Solidarity!
- You can follow Stand Up To Racism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.
- Ruth Hayes is an Islington Councillor, a trade union activist and an organiser with Labour Women Leading.
