By Christina McAnea
The racist rioting and violence led and organised over social media by the far right last week and over the weekend has horrified many of us.
Sickening scenes of mobs laughing and cheering as buildings housing vulnerable asylum seekers were set on fire were both terrifying and shameful.
The homes of those judged to be immigrants were attacked street by street. People were targeted and beaten up solely because of the colour of their skin.
Mosques were attacked and besieged. Islamophobia plain for all to see. Nazi salutes, racist chants and violent language have polluted the streets of many towns and cities.
Public service workers, including nurses rushing in to provide emergency cover at a hospital, had missiles thrown at them. Several police officers have been injured trying to stand up to the mob and prevent arson, assaults and the violence spreading.
Most repellent of all has been the excuse used by the far right that the rioting is a direct consequence of the terrible tragedy in Southport where three little girls were murdered and their families and a community were left grieving.
The far right and those they’ve misled are using the Southport tragedy to scapegoat Muslim people, asylum seekers, in fact anyone who doesn’t look like them.
When the facts didn’t match, the far right changed the facts. In the name of “justice”, shops have been looted, a library and a citizens advice bureau burned down, bricks, bottles and other missiles have been thrown at the police, and local communities terrified.
The mob has struck fear into the hearts of millions of people who are now anxious for the safety of themselves and their families at the hands of racist thugs draped in the union jack.
The far right is returning to street violence, reminiscent of the past but given renewed impetus and power by social media and the internet.
The politics of hate didn’t just show up though. The rioters have been given encouragement by politicians, some in the mainstream. There will be those who seek to use this violence to advance the politics of hate. UNISON will challenge them too.
That means standing up to these vile people wherever and whenever they show up with their ugly politics and racist hate. They do not speak for us.
We will support our members who are attacked by racists whether that’s when they’re at work or walking through their local community. We will defend migrant people in this country, many working in essential public services. They deserve thanks not racist attacks.
Tommy Robinson and his loathsome brand of politics have nothing to offer but division and hate. They destroy communities, they don’t speak for them.
That is why UNISON is determined to challenge the politics of hate. Our members will lead the way, as they do, day in day out in our communities and in workplaces.
The union movement is united in this. We will work with other unions across the country to call for an end to violence, intimidation and discrimination. Unity is our strength.
The article Opinion: UNISON will stand up to the politics of hate first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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