Stop ‘Tommy Robinson’, stop the far right – Saturday 26 October, National Demo

UCU is calling on all its members to attend a national demonstration this Saturday 26 October against racism and fascism. The demonstration is called by the TUC and Stand Up to Racism, and is supported by a long list of trade unions including UCU and our fellow campus unions, UNISON and UNITE.

Where to go 

• The demonstration is assembling at Piccadilly at midday, Saturday 26 October.
• The Trade Union section of the demo will assemble at 11.30am at the corner of Jermyn Street & Regent St Saint James, see this map.
• UCU branch colleagues are meeting in Redemption Roasters on Jermyn Street at 11am.
• More information is available here.

The demonstration is a counter-protest to a mobilisation by Tommy Robinson, who has a large following on social media among far-right and fascist groups. He is encouraging his supporters to come to Central London on Saturday.

The threat from the far right is real. In July, Robinson rallied in Trafalgar Square with 20,000 others, chanting Islamophobic and racist chants. The following week, race riots broke out across the UK, targeting hotels housing refugees and black people in the street, as well as rioting in city centres and looting. 

The following weekend, community groups, trade unions and political parties organised community protests that massively outnumbered far-right ‘protestors’ who threatened to attack a list of targets including refugee hostels and solicitors.

By coming together we can show that we represent the overwhelming majority. Size matters. The success of these counter-protests show that our main strength is in our numbers.

It is crucial to nip any nascent fascist upsurge in the bud. We can see across Europe what happens if they are ignored. For example, in Italy there have been a number of attacks on students by neo-fascists. This demonstration is important for everyone in the UK, but also our colleagues, sisters and brothers in Europe. 

We encourage all our members to take part. 

We want to send a clear message: stop the far right, stand for unity over division.

Please take part if you can!