Report of STUC anti-racism march in Glasgow Saturday 28th November 2009


Trade unionists, politicians, faith and community groups today (Saturday 28 November 2009) marched through Glasgow’s streets in a visible demonstration against racism and fascism.

The march was organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). The Annual St Andrew’s Day Anti Racism March and Rally was designed to show a Scotland united against racism, and in difficult economic times will remind people of the dangers of allowing prejudice and discrimination to go unchallenged.
The March assembled at 10.30 am at St Andrew's in the Square just off Saltmarket, Glasgow and the march commenced around 11.00am.

There was a rally at 12.00 noon near the GFT (Glasgow Film Theatre), Rose Street, Glasgow.

There were a number of speakers including Vaughan Gething (President, Wales TUC), Halema Mogul (Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance), Cathy Pound (Hope not Hate Scotland) and Georgina Wardrop (STUC Youth Committee).
The chair was Sofi Taylor of Unison who was past Chair of the STUC Black Workers' Committee


Here is a report from the BBC Scotland website


Hundreds of people have been taking part in a march and rally against racism in Glasgow. The event, in advance of St Andrew's Day, was organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). The march set off from St Andrew's in the Square, off Saltmarket, for a rally of about 500 people at the Glasgow Film Theatre, on Rose Street. The rally received messages of support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and First Minister Alex Salmond. Speaking before the march, the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, said: "It is right that we tackle racist and fascist views and show to the world that Scotland is against racism. "Racism has no place in a modern society and the vast majority of people in Scotland embrace equality and diversity openly".

'Vile views'

STUC general secretary, Grahame Smith said: "There is no place in Scotland for the extremist defence leagues, their vile views and their hatred of our Muslim community. "Their attacks on Muslims should not be tolerated in our multi-cultural Scottish society. "In fighting for a future free from racism we are proud of our record as trade unionists in challenging the racism and bigotry that exists in our society, but we cannot afford to be complacent."
Other organisations taking part in the march and rally included Glasgow Anti-Racist Alliance and Hope not Hate Scotland.