Join us virtually for the annual STUC St Andrews Day rally against racism.

We are tired of empty soundbites with little action, enough is enough. Scotland is not innocent.

This year has seen a number of health, social and economic crises. The brutal killing of George Floyd has sparked uprisings across the world, fighting for justice for Black people who’ve suffered at the hands of the police and to push imperialist countries to reckon with their colonial pasts. #BlackLivesMatter has gone from a hashtag known mainly to anti-racism activists in the US, to a worldwide movement that everyone is aware of.

In Scotland, we are not immune to systemic racism. The death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy 2015 displays many parallels to the killing of George Floyd. The upcoming inquiry could be a watershed moment for racial justice in Scotland, and the Bayoh family need our full support.

Refugees and asylum seekers continue to be treated like second class citizens in Scotland. Recent events in Glasgow have shown how detaining people in hotels, with no money and inadequate food can have tragic consequences. Likewise, the media’s treatment of refugees risking their lives trying to cross the English channel, shows a lack of regard for human suffering and desperation.

The coronavirus pandemic has further exposed race inequality across Scotland. Black workers, who are disproportionately working in frontline roles, continue to be undervalued while risking their own health to keep society running.

And lastly, climate change continues to ravage worldwide, with sub-Saharan countries suffering most acutely. Tackling climate change is a global, anti-racist endeavour.

Join us as we say together: enough is enough.

Featuring:

Mohammad Asif - Director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundations

Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther and Courtney Stoddart - Reading a piece from "Lament for Sheku Bayoh," A National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh co-production written by Hannah Lavery

Usman Ali - STUC Black Workers Committee Chair

Suki Sangha - Trade Union organiser and activist

Shavannah Taj - Wales TUC General Secretary

and music from Heir of the Cursed

After our event, at 12.15pm, Aberdeen Trades Council are hosting their own online St Andrew's Day anti-racism and anti-fascism rally, featuring music, speakers and poetry. You can find more details here: https://www.atuc.org.uk/2020/11/please-join-atuc-st-andrews-day-anti.html