Fighting for Anti-Racist Workplaces
To mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, held annually on 21 March, Brighton UCU continues to campaign, organise events and build solidarity to fight against racism.
1: 18 March 1:30-2:30pm. Why We Dissent From Prevent
“Prevent has been described as toxic, racist, Islamaphobic and creating a them-and-us culture within society. The Government has attempted to give Prevent a veneer of legitimacy by expressing it in the language of ‘safeguarding’.
We believe that Prevent has failed not only as a strategy but also the very communities it seeks to protect.
- Children have been the target for Prevent referrals
- The public sector have become part of the ‘security state’
- The Muslim community has become the ‘suspect community’
- Prevent has had a ‘chilling’ effect on open debate and free speech
https://www.preventwatch.org/about/
The latest event in our series: Towards an Anti-Racist University, Brighton UCU host this event to raise awareness of Prevent, learn more about its impact on student and staff everyday lives, and organise to resist it.
We are delighted to welcome the following speakers:
Dr Kerem Nişancıoğlu. Preventing Prevent @ SOAS
Islam Society at University of Brighton
Brighton Students' Union
Staff and students, please join us to learn more about how you can help to fight against racism in our institution.
Towards an anti-racist University event 5. Why We Dissent From Prevent. Register here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqd-GqrzsuH9fvLuJuP6VWfw-mnxtVx23v
2: 17 March 6:30pm. Brighton and Hove Stand Up To Racism Celebrates UN Anti-Racism Day
Speakers include:
- • Roger McKenzie – Assistant General Secretary of UNISON
- • Tia Bush – Care4Calais
- • Dr. Peng Wang – Subject of a recent racist attack
- • Ethan – Former resident of Napier Barracks
- • Councillor Steph Powell (Green) – Brighton and Hove City Council
- • Memet Uludag – United Against Racism (Ireland)
- • Janet Sang – “Docs not Cops”, Sussex Defend the NHS
- • Brian Richardson – National Stand Up To Racism
- • Bruno De Olivera – Hove Labour Party BAME officer
- • Various spoken word artists – Oak Park High School, Spoken Word Club, Chicago
- • Robb Johnson – Singer/songwriter
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brighton-and-hove-stand-up-to-racism-celebrates-un-anti-racism-day-tickets-144857347225
3: Fighting Racism, Islamophobia, Antisemitism & Fascism – Organised by Stand Up To Racism & The TUC
1PM: #TakeTheKnee wherever you are
Take a selfie with this downloadable sign or video yourself ‘taking the knee’ then tweet using @AntiRacismDay, @BrightonUCU, #WorldAgainstRacism and #TakeTheKnee
1-2PM: Live link with actions around the world
5PM: Major Online Rally
Speakers Include: •• Diane Abbott MP •• Afzal Khan MP •• Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP •• Richard Burgon MP •• Peter Hain, Labour Peer •• Christine Buchholz, Member of German Bundestag •• Kevin Courtney, NEU Joint General Secretary •• Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary •• Roger Mckenzie, UNISON Assistant General Secretary •• Mavuso Misimang, former ANC underground leader •• Halima Begum, Runnymede Trust Chief Executive •• Dr Peng Wang, University lecturer subjected to racist attack in Southampton •• Jacqueline Mckenzie, Windrush Justice Project •• All Black LIves UK •• David Rosenberg, Jewish Socialists’ Group •• Shahrar Ali, Green Party Home Affairs Spokesperson •• Plus Sabby Dhalu & Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism
Register for Zoom link & further details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/worldagainstracism-rally-day-of-action-for-un-anti-racism-day-tickets-144644055263
BLACK LIVES MATTER
NO TO RACISM, ISLAMOPHOBIA, ANTISEMITISM, SINOPHOBIA, ANTI-ROMA RACISM AND FASCISM
REFUGEES WELCOME, DEFEND MIGRANT RIGHTS
On March 20, 2021, UN Anti-Racism Day, events will take place in cities, communities and online events around the world.
In Britain, people will be taking the knee across the country at 1PM, with a live link-up to events taking place around the world between 1-2PM
A national online rally will take place at 5PM with speakers representing the broad alliance of communities and organisations that make up the anti-racist movement in Britain and around the world.
The growth of the Black Lives Matter movement has shone a fresh spotlight on the horrific levels of racism in Britain, the US and internationally, and played a major role in the defeat of Donald Trump, the world’s number one racist. This growing, powerful force has the potential to strike serious blows against racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism.
Structural racism & health inequalities mean the coronavirus epidemic is continuing to disproportionately impact BAME communities. The British Government is attacking and vilifying refugees and migrants to distract from its failings. It is also attempting to blame Muslim and other communities for spreading the virus, further fanning the flames of racism and putting even more lives in danger.
On March 20 2021 we will come together united against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and fascism. We’ll stand in solidarity with refugees and migrants to send a powerful message to those in power that racism will be defeated.
4: From Covid 19 to Black Lives Matter – Fighting for anti-racist workplaces. 27 Feb
Members of Brighton UCU Co-Ordinating Committee attended this event on Saturday 27 February 2021, jointly organised by Stand Up To Racism and the Trades Union Congress. The plenary sessions were broadcast on YouTube and you can watch the opening plenary here:
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