This year's march and rally will stand in solidarity against racism and fascism wherever it raises its ugly head. However it will have a focus on Gaza, wider Palestine and Lebanon, where the racist and apartheid Israeli government continues its brutal assaults, breaching international law and committing war crimes.
Laura McDonald, ATUC Exec member, who will be chairing the rally said: "The St Andrew's Day march and rally highlights Aberdeen and the North East’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity, solidarity with refugees, and the rejection of far-right ideologies. It brings together trade unions, community groups, activists, and individuals to stand united against racism, discrimination, and xenophobia.
"This year is particularly significant, as it marks the 40th anniversary of the first major anti-racist counter-protest in 1983, when Scots mobilised in opposition to the growing presence of far-right groups. That moment sparked an enduring tradition of resistance, transforming St Andrew’s Day from a national celebration into a powerful day of collective action and remembrance for Scotland’s fight against intolerance."
The theme for this year’s march, Resilient and Rising: Marching for 40 Years, reflects the enduring strength and ongoing struggles of anti-racist movements in Scotland, including, locally our weekly protests against the genocide in Gaza and the oppression and occupation in the West Bank. It also reflects the character of the Palestinian people who have withstood brutal occupation over decades and now a year long bombardment by Israel alongside starvation as an act of war, during which Israel has massacred over 43,000 Palestinians including almost 18,000 children.
The rally will hear from a packed line up of speakers, along with music and poetry. Please do come along and add your voice to the call for an end to racism and fascism and for peace in the middle East
