An organised far-right is becoming a serious threat in the UK, anti-racist activists in Hackney have said.
Around one hundred residents attended a meeting in Clapton last week, organised by Hackney Stand Up to Racism, to discuss how local left-wing groups could organise opposition to the threat from the far-right.
“We are currently witnessing the rise of racism in our streets,” said Oktay Sahbaz from Day-Mer Turkish and Kurdish community centre. “We must not allow migrants to become scapegoats in this country.”
Other speakers included ex-Labour councillor and Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon, Edie Friedman from the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, and anti-Islamophobia campaigner Nahella Ashraf.
This year, Hackney Council reported that incidences of hate crimes recorded by the police rose by 29 per cent between 2015/16 and 2016/17.
“The rise of racism is not surprising,” a spokesperson for Stand Up to Racism told the Hackney Post. “The demonisation of refugees and of Muslims has emboldened racists and the far-right.”
The event came in advance of the National Unity Demonstration Against Fascism and Racism, which took place outside the BBC headquarters this Saturday and was organised by Stand Up to Racism.
“What people living in Hackney can do to counter the rise of racism and fascism is to mobilise [for the demonstration],” said the spokesperson for Stand Up to Racism.
“They can also join Hackney Stand Up to Racism and get active – in their communities, workplaces, trade unions – to spread the word that the vast majority of people reject the scapegoating of refugees and all forms of racism, including anti-semitism and Islamophobia.”
