Latest news with #SUTR
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Anti-racism rally and music event set for Glasgow this weekend
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) have organised an 'Aye Welcome Refugees' march through the city centre on Saturday, June 21, followed by the free We All Belong Carnival in the Old Fruitmarket. Attendees are expected to gather in Barrowland Park around 12pm before the march takes off, followed by a short rally ahead of the music event. Around 2000 people are set to join, with SUTR organising bus transport from Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen for those wishing to attend. Whilst Glasgow City Council have not announced any formal roadblocks, Police Scotland are expected to implement rolling closures throughout the day. Which roads will be affected? The final route has not been confirmed, but the following streets are set to be affected: Moir Street London Road Trongate Glassford Street Ingram Street South Frederick Street South George Square St. Vincent Place St. Vincent Street Renfield Street Union Street Argyle Street Queen Street Candleriggs Who is performing? The family-friendly carnival, organised by Love Music Hate Racism Glasgow, will kick off after the march concludes. A number of stalls and activities, like henna tattooing, face painting, balloon artistry and puppeteering. Several Scottish acts will perform, with the lineup featuring Iona Fyfe, Pilgrims Society, Mellow Party and Cabaret Against The Hate's Tom Harlow. Why now? Saturday's festivities have been organised to mark World Refugee Day, which falls on Friday June 20. In a statement posted to social media, SUTR said: "Our movement fights our government's involvement in the wars that create refugees. "We also stand in solidarity with refugees trying to rebuild their lives while being scapegoated and demonised by the very same politicians.' The focus of World Refugee Day 2025 is solidarity with refugees, with the UNHRC stressing the importance of honouring refugees 'not just with words but with actions'. Who has endorsed it? A number of trade unions and charity organisations have endorsed Saturday's events. RMT, Glasgow Trades Council and West Lothian Trades Council are among the unions who have voiced their support. Charities such as Refuweegee and Stop The War Scotland have also expressed support.
The National
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Peaceful protest announced for Katie Hopkins Edinburgh gig
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) Edinburgh have invited those who wish to join their peaceful protest 'against the airing of obnoxious views' to attend the BMC Social Club in the capital, where Hopkins is set to perform a comedy gig on June 19. Hopkins, a former columnist for the Mail Online, The Sun and Canadian far-right website The Rebel Media, has garnered continued criticism for her extremist views on the disabled, migrants and Muslims since her appearance on The Apprentice in 2005. READ MORE: Refugee festival exhibition showcases work by displaced artists Q Manivannan, the Scottish Greens candidate for the upcoming Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart byelection, said: 'Our country is built upon care, hospitality, and tolerance. Not the hate that Katie Hopkins brings, mocking disabled people, calling for a racist 'final solution', and fat-shaming. 'Her hate is recognised worldwide with her readers in Exeter voting to dump her, the likes of Piers Morgan calling her 'despicable', being held guilty of libel in a court of law, being deported from Australia, and impressing the world with her life of distrust. 'Scotland rejects such hate and racism. It has no room in our local communities." READ MORE: UK 'currently' training Israeli soldiers on UK soil, Labour Government admits Steve West, an independent socialist candidate for the byelection, added: "I share Stand Up To Racism's disgust that the BMC Club is hosting the racist, so-called comedian Katie Hopkins, who has also insulted disabled people. 'The club needs to be given a clear message that this is unacceptable. Edinburgh has a proud record of inclusivity and we need to keep it that way." SUTR recently held a successful counter-demo to the 'Great British National Strike' and have garnered the support of major trade union organisations, as well as several Scottish public figures like Frankie Boyle, Humza Yousaf and Aamer Anwar.
Glasgow Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Everything you need to know about the 'Stop Reform' Glasgow summit
Following the success of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in the recent English council elections, Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) is hosting a "Stop Reform 2026" summit ahead of next year's Scottish Government election. The day will build towards the launch of the official campaign, aiming to build a "mass movement" to challenge the nationwide rise of fascist and racist rhetoric before the election takes place. Where will it be held? The summit will take place from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, May 31, in The Boardwalk on Glasgow's Brunswick Street. It is a ticketed event and will feature a range of speakers and workshops throughout the day. Who is speaking at the summit? There are a number of speakers listed for the morning plenary, including: Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer Humza Yousaf, former First Minister Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary Samira Ali, SUTR nationwide organiser Matt Kerr, Scottish Labour councillor for Cardonald Why now? In a social media post announcing the summit, SUTR said: 'Nigel Farage claims to be a 'man of the people', but he is a tax-dodging millionaire who attended one of the most expensive private schools in Britain. Reform has pledged to cut taxes for the largest corporations, cuts for public services and it tries to point the finger away from the rich. 'In Scotland, polls project Reform could enter the Scottish parliament in the May 2026 election with up to 15 MSPs. 'We say this is not inevitable. Mass campaigning and anti-racist organising has helped turn the tide against the far-right before — and we can do it again.' The summit will feature a number of workshops such as detailing how culture can help 'turn the tide' against prejudice, trade unions against racism and justice for Sheku Bayoh — a Black Lives Matter in Scotland workshop. There will also be a break where attendees can visit picture galleries and stalls hosted by campaign groups involved in the summit. Final tickets for those wishing to attend are available here.
The National
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Everything you need to know about the 'Stop Reform' Glasgow summit
Following the success of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in the recent English council elections, Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) are hosting a "Stop Reform 2026" summit ahead of next year's Scottish Government election. The day will build towards the launch of the official campaign, aiming to build a "mass movement" to challenge the nationwide rise of fascist and racist rhetoric before the election takes place. Where will it be held? The summit will take place from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, May 31, in The Boardwalk on Glasgow's Brunswick Street. It is a ticketed event and will feature a range of speakers and workshops throughout the day. Who is speaking at the summit? There are a number of speakers listed for the morning plenary, including: Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer Humza Yousaf, former First Minister Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary Samira Ali, SUTR nationwide organiser Matt Kerr, Scottish Labour councillor for Cardonald READ MORE: Labour minister backs down after comparing Reform and parts of media to Nazis Why now? In a social media post announcing the summit, SUTR said: 'Nigel Farage claims to be a 'man of the people', but he is a tax-dodging millionaire who attended one of the most expensive private schools in Britain. Reform has pledged to cut taxes for the largest corporations, cuts for public services and it tries to point the finger away from the rich. 'In Scotland, polls project Reform could enter the Scottish parliament in the May 2026 election with up to 15 MSPs. 'We say this is not inevitable. Mass campaigning and anti-racist organising has helped turn the tide against the far-right before — and we can do it again.' READ MORE: Labour Government plan to teach 'importance of UK military' in schools The summit will feature a number of workshops such as detailing how culture can help 'turn the tide' against prejudice, trade unions against racism and justice for Sheku Bayo — a Black Lives Matter in Scotland workshop. There will also be a break where attendees can visit picture galleries and stalls hosted by campaign groups involved in the summit. Final tickets for those wishing to attend are available here.
The National
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
What I saw at Glasgow's 'Great British National Strike'
As previously reported by The National, far-right group 'The Great British National Strike' held a series of demos across the UK, with seven taking place across Scotland; emergency rallies were held in response on Glasgow's Buchanan Street by groups Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), Cabaret Against The Hate Speech, Afghan Human Rights Foundation and Glasgow TUC. Anti-racism groups involved in the counter-demo descended early on the Buchanan Street steps, the proposed meeting point for the far-right protesters. When I arrived around 10:45am, a small number of police officers were in attendance and the atmosphere was already thick with tense anticipation for what was, unfortunately, expected to unfold. READ MORE: Counter-protesters gather against far-right group in Glasgow city centre Mohammad Asif of SUTR and the Afghan Human Rights Foundation spoke to the Sunday National shortly before the far-right protests began, saying: 'As a Muslim, of course I'm worried, as a brown or black person we're worried, because we are always the targets as we saw in the rioting in England last year. 'But we are here and we are standing with our friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters saying that fascism and racism will not defeat us; it will make us stronger.' Shortly after my conversation with Asif, the Great British National Strike participants climbed the steps and unfurled a Union flag. From there, the still unease promptly dissipated as verbal and physical clashes between the groups began; counter-protesters attempted to snatch the flag, leading to a few scuffles that police tried to break up. The commotion began on the Buchanan Street steps (Image: Lewis McPake)The far-right demonstrators were moved to the top corner of Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets, across from Jessops camera shop, as the counter-protesters mobilised on the steps. The Great British National Strike was initially far outnumbered, with those on the steps chanting 'Nazi scum, off our streets!' and "there are many, many more of us than you" at the opposing side. There were a handful of people waving Union flags, Israel flags and banners featuring King Charles and the Red Hand of Ulster. One of the women who initially held the UK flag on the steps screamed: 'Would you trust them near your children?' As their numbers began to grow, police, who had formed a human cordon which faced the counter-protest, made the decision to move them to the steps of Buchanan Galleries — not that it did much, as the counter-protest was still larger in numbers and split into two groups to follow. Counter-protesters turned out in large numbers despite the gloomy weather (Image: Lewis McPake)Outside the shopping centre, the far-right began waving a Union flag that had an outline of criminal agitator Tommy Robinson, aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, emblazoned with the slogan "FREE TOMMY ROBINSON" in bold. Elderly women held signs depicting themselves as 'concerned grandparents'. Someone had brought their young son along, who stood on the frontline as the group began singing Rule Britannia and making choice hand gestures to their counterparts. It was clearly a demonstration full of hatred, further emphasised by a woman who attempted to use a Saltire to erase a chalk-written slogan saying 'Free Palestine' from the pavement — she was told off for it by officers, but their lack of attention to a man who did what looked like a Nazi salute was baffling. Participants in the Great British National Strike called for far-right spokesman Tommy Robinson's freedom and agitated counter-protesters with rude hand gestures (Image: Colin Mearns) While the face-off ensued outside the shopping centre, Cabaret Against The Hate Speech began a singalong at the top of the steps. In what was clearly a wind-up, songs like Abba's SOS and unofficial national anthem Yes Sir, I Can Boogie were blasted through the speakers. Alex, another organiser from SUTR, said: 'It's not a surprise that they're trying to co-opt different movements to try and present themselves as respectable. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar refuses to say if he supports RAF surveillance flights over Gaza 'We know that the far-right performed racist pogroms last year across England. Again, Glasgow turned out to oppose them. We're making sure that will never be allowed to grow in Scotland.' I left around 1pm. The stand-off was still in full swing, and at the time of writing there had been no arrests made. Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
