Anti-racists to march in Portsmouth after far-right intimidation

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Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) Portsmouth urged everyone in the city who is sickened by the events last weekend to join them in countering another far-right demonstration organised by the so-called South Coast Patriots.

SUTR anti-fascist officer Lewis Nielsen called recent anti-migrant protests seen in Portsmouth and Dover a “watershed moment,” asking members of the public to join their counter demo at 12pm tomorrow in the coastal city at All Saints Car Park, Church Street.

Referring to Danny Tommo, Mr Nielsen said: “A fascist thug, who has been jailed for kidnapping and is a close associate of nazi Tommy Robinson, instigated violent protests that targeted refugees.

“He is using the ‘stop the boats’ rhetoric from mainstream parties to build a neonazi street movement.”

Care4Calais head of public affairs Charlotte Khan said anti-migrant riots in Dover and Portsmouth last week “were clear examples that the far-right in the UK has been organising – and those who oppose them must do so too.”

She called on the public to join anti-racism demos, including tomorrow’s protest in Portsmouth adding: “All of it is crucial at this dangerous moment in history to stop the rise of the far-right.”

Your Party parliamentary leader Jeremy Corbyn told the Morning Star: “We need to document all the attacks that happen everywhere and we need to stand up to all forms of racism.

“The great dividers want you to believe that the problems in our society are caused by minorities, migrants and refugees. They’re not.

“They’re caused by a rigged economic system that protects the interests of the super-rich. That’s why people’s water bills continue to rise. That’s why tenants in private-sector flats are paying well over half their take-home pay to keep a roof over their head.”

The former Labour Party leader added: “The far right, however, want you to believe that some of the world’s most vulnerable people are the real threat to society.”

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) advocacy director Seema Syeda explained that recent racist protests have been boosted by government policies scapegoating immigrants.

And she said Home Office plans to increase the wait time for applicants to receive indefinite leave to remain (ILR) “emboldens” far-right agitators.

“Attacks on migrants and racialised people must be confronted on the streets and in Parliament,” she told the Morning Star.

“Governments scapegoat migrants, it emboldens the far-right on the march. Attacks on migrants and racialised people must be confronted on the streets and in Parliament.”

The JCWI also welcomed a composite motion being brought to this year’s TUC Congress which starts tomorrow.

It would call on the trade union body to condemn Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s earned settlement proposals and to demand they be removed in full.

The motion says unions are “alarmed at sweeping attacks on migrant workers which render them second-class citizens,” warning that the government’s plan for ILR “fatally undermines trade union activity in workplaces which need it most.

“These changes affect workers already here, punished for doing low-paid but essential work, especially in public services.

“Rather than making low-paid workers more vulnerable to deportation and exploitation, the government should be raising pay in public services and reforming the visa system to reduce employer power.”

Ms Syeda said it is right for this motion to be brought forward and for the TUC “to condemn Shabana Mahmood’s racist and classist ‘earned’ settlement proposals.”

She called on trade unions to “do all they can to speak out against the proposals, and pressure MPs and Andy Burnham to make sure the proposals are withdrawn.”

Following attacks on Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescuers for bringing small-boat migrants ashore last weekend in Dover and Portsmouth, Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan has tabled a parliamentary motion in solidarity for the RNLI staff and volunteers.

After recent anti-migrant protests in his constituency, Mr Duncan-Jordan said it was “appalling that volunteers have been abused, intimidated and had their personal details published online. 

“People who give their time to save lives should be thanked, not targeted. Those attacking lifesavers should be ashamed.”

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