Unfortunately the EDL were allowed to march in Newcastle over the Bank Holiday weekend despite the many protests that were made objecting to such an offensive event in a Region known for its tolerance and friendliness. The Northern TUC mobilised a counter protest in the heart of the City, bringing together trade unions, politicans, anti-racist campaigners and local bands to give a resounding 'You are not welcome here' message to the EDL, and to promote our anti-racism message.
The North East remains free of the Far Right electorally even though the racist BNP have been targetting the region for the past six years. The response from the trade union movement to this threat has been tremendous, both challenging racism in the workplace and communities. This shows the critical role trade unions have to play in civil society, and in the new era of economic crisis this role becomes even more significant. With the cost of the economic crisis being borne by the majority of whose making it was not, the role of trade unions in challenging the prevailing ideologies cannot be underestimated.
Anyone who watched the BBC3 programme, 'Young, Angry and White' will understand the alienation many feel. People who feel abandoned by politicans, people who feel they are not listened to, people who feel they have no positive future. With unemployment rising to 2.51 million, of which 1 million are young people aged 18-24, and with a Government intent on decimating public services at the very time when they are most needed, the conditions for the racist hatred of the BNP, NF and EDL need to be challenged both visibly but also with a different alternative strategy for society. One such as UNISON's Million Voices campaign which sets out a positive agenda for tackling the recession, for helping people into work, and to hold those who are respsonible for the recession to account.
It was great to be joined by the first two women MPs elected to represent Newcastle North and Newcastle Central, one of whom is the first black woman elected to represent the City. As they said Newcastle and the North East have soundly rejected the politics of racism and hatred. Clare Williams, UNISON Regional Convenor, spoke of the North East as having spoken loudly and clearly to all racist parties that they were not welcome. She also pointed out the Region had roundly rejected the politics of the Tories, whose diastrous policies of Thatcher still remain on the Region, and Cameron has already showed his intent for the North East. Trade unions will be at the forefront of fighting the attacks to public services, trade unions will be at the forefront of fighting racism in the workplace and communities, and trade unions will be at the forefront of standing up for working people who should not be paying the price for the recession.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8192623.Police_corden_set_up_as_rival_groups_prepare_to_march/
