UNISON at the FORE: ‘Scotland United’ is holding a rally to celebrate multicultural Glasgow on Saturday 14th November in Glasgow Green with assembly at 12pm at Nelsons Column, followed by speeches then a march through our city centre at around 1pm. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and politicians representing all the main parties will speak in support.
We will leave the Green to march down Clyde Street, up Jamaica Street, along Argyle Street into Queen Street to George Square outside City Chambers next to the War Memorial, where a two minute silence will take place and then disperse.
As you will be aware this was our response to anti-Muslim protest at Central Mosque planned by racist bigots, of the Scottish Defence League and English Defence League (EDL) on the same day. Previous EDL demonstrations have seen their thugs attack Asian people, chant “Muslims out” and worse at passers-by and make “Seig Heil” Nazi salutes. It is vital that we do not allow these racist thugs to terrorise and intimidate Muslim and Asian people. It is not a time to hide but to stand up for a multicultural Glasgow, a multicultural Scotland.
The Police have already stated that the SDL will not be allowed to march or even congregate outside any Mosque. It is important that we mobilise in massive numbers as the fascists of the BNP and the SDL/EDL can only defeated by mass action and solidarity. On the 12th November the BNP will be standing as candidates and will be hoping that the North East by-election is a boost for the Fascists. However on the 14th November, Scotland United will bring together all those who wish to live in a multicultural, multiracial, democratic society.
We need your voices, your music, and your banners to show the true diversity of our city. So ask your workmates, friends and family to join our rally. Let’s turn Saturday 14th November into a day that Glasgow and Scotland says loud and clear we don’t want fascists on our streets.
An injury to one is an injury to all – and their attempts to target and scapegoat Muslims will fail. Today they threaten the Mosque, tomorrow it could be a Synagogue, Temple or Church. Today they threaten Muslims, tomorrow it could be Jewish people, Hindus, Sikhs, black people, lesbians & gay men, trade unionists, travellers or Eastern Europeans. There is no place for Nazis, racists or the BNP in Glasgow’s multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious community.
Supporters so far include: Aamer Anwar- Human Rights Lawyer, Osama Saeed- Scottish Islamic Foundation, Alex Salmond First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon Deputy First Minister, Graheme Smith General Secretary STUC, Dave Moxham Deputy General Secretary STUC, Labour Group Glasgow City Council, Cllr Ruth Black, Cllr Archie Graham, Paul McBride QC, RMT Scottish Regional Council, Mike Kirby-Convenor Unison Scotland, Unison Scotland Committee, Kenny Ross Fire Brigades Union Scotland Regional Sec, Scottish Trades Union Congress, STUC Black Workers Committee, Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA), Unite Against Fascism (UAF), Robina Qureshi-Director Positive Action in Housing,The Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) Scotland, Scottish Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Scottish Refugee Council,Mohammed Asif-Scottish Afghan Society,James Docherty President National Union of Journalists, Sejinder Singh Sikhs for Scotland, Indian Workers Association, NUS Scotland, Irish Diaspora in Scotland Association, Mohammed Sarwar MP, Anabele Goldie MSP (Leader Scottish Conservatives)Malcolm Chisholm MSP (Labour), Bill Aitken MSP (Conservatives) Bob Doris MSP (SNP), Pauline McNeill MSP (Labour), Elaine Smith MSP (Labour),Robert Brown MSP (Liberal Democrats), Sandra White MSP (SNP), Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP (SNP), Dr Bill Wilson SNP, Anne McGaughlin MSP (SNP), Michael McMahon MSP (Labour), Alasdair Allan MSP (SNP), Patrick Harvie MSP (Greens),Bill Kidd MSP(SNP), Angela Constance MSP (SNP), Cathy Peatie (MSP), Dave Thompson MSP, Prof Christopher Harvie MSP, Elaine Murray MSP (Scottish Labour Environment Spokesperson) Tommy Sheridan, Solidarity, Rev Ian Galloway Church of Scotland, Dr Wali Tasar Uddin MBE,Marion Hersch UCU Exec, Scotland Against Criminalising Communities, Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Elaine C Smith, Mark Thomas Comedian, Hope not Hate (Searchlight), Show Racism the Red Card, Stop the War Coalition, Scottish Socialist Party, Prof Mike Gonzalez Glasgow University, Donald Nicolson Prof of Law University of Strathclyde, Cllr Jim Bollan SSP West Dumbartonshire Council, Jimmy Hughes, Geraldine Smyth, Beth Junor, Keith Baldassara (Housing advisor and Unite member), Maureen Brough-Central Paisley Justice and Peace Group, Rev Martin Johnstone Faith in Community Scotland, Rev David A. Collins Church of Scotland, Professor Rebecca Kay University of Glasgow,Dr Rowena Arshad (Academic & Activist)Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Dr Tom Webster University of Edinburgh, Faith in Community Scotland, Moroccan Association Scotland, Youth Community Support Agency (YCSA), Edinburgh Mela, Edinburgh & Lothians Racial Equality Council (ELREC), Council of Bangladeshis in Scotland (CBS), Bangladesh Samity Edinburgh , Bangladesh Catering Association Scotland, Dave Sherry- Unite Scottish Housing Branch, OneVoice Scotland- A LOT MORE CONTINUE TO BE ADDED
Mike J Kirby
