Uplifting show of unity and solidarity at the Rally Against Hate

Aberdeen Trades Union Council was proud to be one of the organisers, along with an anti-fascist alliance of local left groups, of the Rally against Hate in Aberdeen's Castlegate on Saturday 7 September. 

The expected presence of the far right, with their messages of division and hate didn't materialise and those far right protesters that turned up in Glasgow's George Square were completely outnumbered by thousands of anti-racism, anti-fascism protesters.

Our Aberdeen event was an uplifting show of unity against the far right. With a mix of music, speeches, poetry and chanting, the event celebrated solidarity and inclusivity. All were welcome, all came along from all faiths and none and from across different communities. 

Children made posters with messages of hope and love. Food not bombs gave out free vegan food to anyone who wanted it. The Melting Pot - a band that is a living example of inclusivity - kicked us off with their set of songs promoting messages of collective action and hope for the future, including a rendition of "We shall overcome," for the people of Palestine and Gaza. We also heard great sets from musicians, Fred and JC Bigfoot. And of course the wonderful Guarana Drummers had us tapping our feet and clapping along - and ended the rally on an upbeat note with a conga.

Kathleen Kennedy

Ably chaired by ATUC Vice-president, Kathleen Kennedy, speakers came from a wide range of different communities, representing anti-fascism, racial equality, the student movement, Scottish Palestine Solidarity campaign, whose protesters came straight from their weekly protest at Barclays, demanding they divest from weapons used in the Gaza genocide. We had Dr Ibrahim from the Muslim community and a Jewish speaker, Esther, speaking alongside Darren, a Christian minister and giving the same message of unity and humanity.

Kate Ramsden, speaking on behalf of ATUC spoke of the North East's long history of international solidarity and pledged that every affiliated union will stand against racism and fascism and combat the poison of the far right wherever it raises its ugly head. 

Kate Ramsden

Kate said, "ATUC is proud to stand with all of you here today, from all faiths and none, from across all our rich and varied communities in the North East of Scotland, to give a clear message to the far right and to those others who would sow division and set us against each other, that we stand as one against hate, that we will NOT allow communities to be demonised, that racists and fascists are NOT welcome here, and we will hound them out if they dare to show their face."

Other speakers echoed these sentiments. 

Tommy Campbell read out poems relevant to the day's proceedings, including one from Brian Bilston entitled "How much I dislike the Daily Mail," which caused much laughter even whilst its serious message was clearly understood. The text of the poem is below.

Tommy Campbell

How much l dislike the Daily Mail

I would rather

eat Quavers that are six week’s stale,

blow dry the hair of Gareth Bale,

listen to the songs of Jimmy Nail,

than read one page of the Daily Mail.

If I were bored

in a waiting room in Perivale,

on a twelve hour trip on British rail

or a world circumnavigational sail,

I would not read the Daily Mail.

I would happily read

the complete works of Peter Mayle,

the autobiography of Dan Quayle,

selected scripts from Emmerdale,

but I couldn’t ever read the Daily Mail.

Far better to

stand outside in a storm of hail,

be blown out to sea in a powerful gale

then swallowed by a humpback whale

than have to read the Daily Mail.

Even if

I were blind

and it was the only thing

in Braille,

I still would not read

the Daily Mail.

Brian Bilston

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