Comrades,
This coming Saturday sees the Scottish arm of the English Defence League rear its ugly head in Glasgow.
The SDL had originally planned to march through Glasgow city centre, but have instead decided on a static demonstration. This does nothing to quell the concerns that the trouble that follows these organisations throughout the country will still be prevalent in our city this weekend.
Mosques, street stalls and trade unionists have all felt the brunt of organisations like the SDL. Their intention is to intimidate, provoke and attempt to drive a wedge between the many different cultures, religions & races that live in our city.
The UK as a whole is facing harsh and unjust cuts to public services and jobs from the current Government of millionaires. The people of the UK need to be working together to fight back against these unacceptable actions. The racist & Islamophobic message that the SDL spouts does nothing but attempt to cause friction and division.
Glasgow is a city that is proud of its diverse and multicultural population, where we are free to live side by side without prejudice. The message that the SDL brings to our city should not, and cannot be accepted. Scotland as a whole is a Nation of mixed races and cultures. A ‘mongrel nation,’ to borrow the phrase of the great writer William McIllvaney. We are a ‘mongrel nation’ but we are also a friendly and tolerant nation that cannot allow hate and intolerance to pollute our lives and communities.
Sadly my Home Detention Curfew regulations contain a very strict warning that any alleged breaches of the law, regardless of how trumped up the accusation may be, will lead to a return to jail. Breach of the peace is an elastic and all-encompassing charge which I have faced more times than I can remember throughout my political activity. Of the 20 to 30 breach charges I think only one or two have ever been proven but I can’t risk such a charge on Saturday.
I would, however, personally encourage everyone reading this message to go along to the rally which will be celebrating multicultural Glasgow this weekend in direct opposition to the SDL. Be careful but resolute in standing up for tolerance, human solidarity and unity and against SDL promoted hate, racial division and lies.
More information on the rally and on Unite Against Fascism can be found here – http://www.facebook.com/events/232093423552257/
In solidarity,
Tommy
