PCS supporting anti-racism marches on 16 and 17 March

To mark the annual UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March), demonstrations will take place on Saturday, 16 March (London and Glasgow) and Sunday, 17 March in Cardiff.

Organised by Stand Up to Racism and other supporting organisations, the demonstrations will start with a march and conclude with a rally, including live music and a range of speakers from across the trade union and anti-racism movement.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote will speak at the London demonstration on 16 March on behalf of PCS members.

These annual anti-racism demonstrations take place against a backdrop of rising racism.  Government rhetoric around asylum seekers (which PCS has campaigned against) and the conflict in Gaza has fuelled a rise in far-right actions around the country.

As Fran reminded us at a recent event at the TUC headquarters in London on the resurgence of the far-right, reactionary forces in the UK has been “emboldened” by politicians like Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman through their “hateful and incendiary language”.

It is vital that the trade union movement joins with other progressive forces to counter this growing trend and the far-right, anti-immigrant, antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric that accompanies it.

Details of the marches, including start and finish times and places, accessibility and other information can be found on the Stand Up to Racism website.  Details will also be provided of any local transport from your region to your nearest demonstration.

You can read the PCS anti-racism anti-fascism strategy and many more articles on combating racism in the workplace on PCS Knowledge.