Brighton Organisations and Leading Figures Launch Unity Statement Ahead of Far Right March
People of Brighton should show unity against a racist march according to leading local politicians, unions and other individuals and group who are supporting a Unity Statement, that is now online for members of the public to sign.
Supporters include Brighton Trades Council, the Brighton University branch of the UCU union, Brighton and Hove NUT, University of Sussex Students Union, Brighton Unite Against Fascism, Brighton Love Music Hate Racism, and Sussex Labour Representation Committee. Individuals who are supporting it include Caroline Lucas MP, and ten Green and Labour members of the council; as well as Simon Burgess, the former Labour leader of the council, James Ledward, the editor of Gscene magazine and Itch, the lead singer of the band King Blues, who is a Brighton Resident.
The March for England march, organised by members and supporters of the racist organisation the English Defence League, has met growing opposition when it has attempted to parade through Brighton in the past few years. It has stated it will return in April 2013.
The march's opponents are now calling on residents of the city to add their support for the statement which concludes by saying: "In Brighton we all stand together. And when someone tries to threaten our community we must stand together even more firmly."
The full statement can be read at brightonuaf.org, where there is also a link to sign it.
Roland Ravenhill of Brighton Love Music Hate Racism said: "The diversity and unity of Brighton is something worth supporting, and racist marches do not sit well here. We encourage people to read and sign the statement."
Full statement and list of supporters:
Brighton is a brilliant and vibrant city where many people of different cultures, backgrounds, abilities and faiths come together. It has a positive and unique character which its residents enjoy and embrace. Brighton people live here in the knowledge that they will be valued and that the things which make each individual different are celebrated here - not despised. We take great pleasure and pride in being surrounded by humanity in all its exciting diversity.
Because of this it is very saddening to discover that the far right group March for England, which is a division of the violent and racist organisation the English Defence League, is to march in Brighton (in April 2013).
When groups like this come to Brighton it is because our multicultural city in all its diversity proves that their own doctrine of hate is wrong, and they want to damage our unity. That is why we stand together: black, white and Asian; people of all faiths and of no faith; trade unionists; people of different political persuasions; University, school and college students; people of all abilities; whatever our sexuality.
In Brighton we all stand together. And when someone tries to threaten our community we must stand together even more firmly.
Supported by:
Brighton Trades Council
Brighton and Hove Unite Against Fascism
UCU – Brighton University
Brighton and Hove NUT.
University of Sussex Students Union
Sussex Labour Representation Committee.
Brighton Love Music Hate Racism
Caroline Lucas, Green MP Brighton Pavillion
Itch – King Blues
James Ledward – editor Gscene
Jason Kitkat, Green Party Councillor, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
Ollie Sykes, Green Party Councillor, Brunswick and Adelaide Ward
Les Hamilton, Labour & Co-operative Councillor, South Portslade
Liz Wakefield, Green Party Councillor, Hanover & Elm Grove
Pete West, Green City Councillor for St Peter's & North Laine Ward
Warren Morgan, Labour & Co-operative Councillor for East Brighton
Phélim Mac Cafferty, Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide
Alexandra Phillips, Green Councillor for Goldsmid ward, Hove
Rob Jarrett, Green Party Councillor for Goldsmid ward
Ian Davey, Green Party councillor for St Peter's & North Laine ward
Simon Burgess, Labour, former leader, Brighton and Hove council.
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