Protesters are gathering from all over Scotland to take part in a massive demonstration in the centre of Glasgow to stand up against what they say is a growing culture of racism in the wake of the Brexit result and Donald Trump’s election.
Organised by the Scottish branch of Stand Up to Racism, a reported 3,000 people have set off from Holland Street for George Square, joining thousands of other demonstrators from across the globe.
Similar marches are taking place in across Europe, in ten countries across 45 cities.
Stand up to Racism Scotland said: “Amid a vitriolic atmosphere of anti-immigrant hysteria following the EU referendum, Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017 in order to ‘have the freedom to choose the way we control immigration’.”
The group added: “In a situation where migrants, Muslim women, and anyone considered to be ‘foreign’ are being attacked on a daily basis - and refugees are being abandoned by Britain and Europe to destitution, drowning, and exploitation - there has never been a more important time in recent history to stand up to racism.”
The group is aiming to make the anti-racism event its “biggest yet,” and said: “[We want] to show that Theresa May does not speak for us when she blames migrants and refugees for the problems caused by austerity and the financial crisis, and that we are united against racism, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism.”
UN anti-racism day, great turn out in Glasgow today. #marchagainstracism pic.twitter.com/PtA577eNGC
— @SRtRC Scotland (@SRtRCScotland) March 18, 2017
Great turn out for #MarchAgainstRacism in #Glasgow, high spirits despite the rain! #M18 #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/qZfOVYE4Qg
— Anti-Racism Scotland (@SUTRScotland) March 18, 2017
Edinburgh coach travelling through to #MarchAgainstRacism demo in Glasgow, 11.30am Holland St, rally noon at George Sq pic.twitter.com/B5SCEobowM
— Anti-Racism Scotland (@SUTRScotland) March 18, 2017
Glasgow on the #MarchAgainstRacism pic.twitter.com/xqkO4T4R8t
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) March 18, 2017
The group has organised similar marches over the past four years, in defence of migrants and refugees. At its recent conference, 1,500 participants - including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott - launched a mass anti-racist movement.
Unite the Union is one of many groups to throw its support behind the march.
“[Today] is a global day of action marking UN anti-racism day,” said the group in a statement.
“Taking place in the wake of the election of Donald Trump and as Theresa May makes the moves to trigger Article 50 and the UK’s Brexit from the European Union, a progressive movement is growing to turn back the tide of racism.”
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