Rally says 'Love Scotland, Hate Racism'

by Hamid Rasheed

UNISON members, fellow trade unionists and people representing all faiths and cultures came from all over Scotland to take part in St Andrew's Day Anti-Racist march in Glasgow - to send a clear message across that racism will not be tolerated in Scotland.

The rally was organised by the Scottish Trade Union Congress, at a time when tensions were running high among communities in Scotland with three men found guilty of committing the racist murder of Kris Donald in Glasgow.

The event started out as a counter demonstration to right wing racists from the BNP who tried to make St Andrews Day their own day of action. For many years now, the STUC, with support from UNISON Scotland, has organised the march and for the second year the Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA) co-sponsored the event.

Eileen Dinning UNISON's Scottish Equalities officer said: "Our members fully understand how important it is to be part of this march, particularly at a time when a recent Scottish Executive report says 42% of Scots claim to have been affected by racism, either as a victim, witness or perpetrator - showing a 7% increase compared to 2001.

"Scotland is a place for people of all cultures and faiths; Scotland is home for people from different backgrounds. The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racist march brings our communities together to say, "We love Scotland and Hate Racism".

Hamid Rasheed, Chairperson of Scottish Black Members of UNISON said: "Minority Ethnic Communities and Asylum Seekers are being increasingly targeted after 9/11 and 7/7 attacks, and a flurry of ongoing ill presentation of information on immigration by tabloids, provides more reasons to join this year's St Andrew's Day March.

The theme for the event was: 'Love Scotland: Hate Racism'. As part of our Many Cultures Working in UNISON campaign, we had a stall with our anti-racist materials.

The success of the march in sending that message across was evident when one Christmas shopper commented: "I think it is excellent that people are aware of racism and prepared to make a stand against it. It is fabulous … well done … Glasgow."

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