Campaigners against racism in Newham have issued a call for unity to counter the growth of right-wing extremism, reports Aidan White

Campaigners against racism in Newham have issued a call for unity to counter the growth of right-wing extremism in and around the Borough.

“Newham is a very special place. Different cultures, faiths, ethnicities are living together and getting on with our lives, enriched by this diversity,”says the Newham Stand Up To Racism in a statement issued in September.

But the situation in Newham is in danger of returning to the 1970s and 1980s when racism was normalised by the activities of the National Front.

“We’ve come a long way and we’re not going back. Here, and in the country as a whole, anti-racists are the majority,” they say.

But they warn that the 13 September March and demonstration “the largest ever fascist-led gathering in UK history” poses a major challenge.

“It was vile in its racism: anti-migrant, anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim hatred, says the statement.

“The fascists are in greater numbers and emboldened by Trump, Farage, and the growth of fascist parties in Europe. They aim to intimidate us off the streets, then get into our workplaces, to divide and weaken us.”

The group accuses both Tory and Labour parties of failing to confront this new crisis and makes a lacerating attack on the dangerous policies of Reform UK.

To counter this threat, they say a strong anti-fascist and anti-racist movement is needed again.

Newham Stand Up To Racism say they are working with other SUTR groups to support asylum seekers and regugees and to counter racist threats.

“We will have stalls, meetings and rallies, music and cultural events. We want people in our community to join us and build the confidence of our side to stop the rise of racism and fascism.”

To read the full statement and for further information see http://standuptoracism.org.uk/

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