West Midlands Against Racism: We Stand Together
The events of 6 and 7 September should alarm us all. Far-right protesters took to the streets of Dover in a frightening display of racist intimidation. In Portsmouth, attempts were made to stop a bus carrying asylum seekers from reaching a processing centre, while in Glasgow a building was attacked with fire because it was wrongly believed to be intended to house asylum seekers and migrants. These incidents are part of a growing escalation in racist hostility, intimidation and violence.
The message from the far right is clear: divide people, create fear and turn migrants, refugees and minority communities into scapegoats for the problems facing society. Their politics depends upon setting communities against each other and convincing people that our differences make us weaker. Our response must be equally clear: we will not be divided, we will not stand by, and we will not allow racism and hatred to define our communities.
At a time when the far right is seeking to spread fear and division, the most powerful response is for communities to come together. Our strength lies in the friendships, families, workplaces, schools, neighbourhoods, faith groups, trade unions, campaigns and organisations that bring us together. We need more solidarity, not more suspicion; more community, not more division; and more unity, not more scapegoating.
That is why, on 4 October, people from across the West Midlands will come together in Birmingham for the West Midlands Against Racism Unity March and Rally. It will be an opportunity for people from different backgrounds, communities and traditions to stand alongside one another and send a clear message: the far right does not speak for us, and racism will not be allowed to define who we are or the communities we live in.
The Unity March & Rally is not owned by one organisation, political tradition or section of society. More than 50 organisations are supporting the event, including 11 trade unions, alongside faith groups, community organisations, campaign groups, students, LGBTQ+ organisations, climate activists and many others. That breadth is important because the politics of division can only be challenged by building something bigger: a movement that brings people together across communities, workplaces, generations, cultures, faiths and campaigns.
The West Midlands is a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith region. Generations of people have made their homes here, bringing languages, cultures, traditions, music, food, ideas and experiences that have become part of the fabric of our towns and cities. Our diversity is not something to apologise for or fear. It is one of the great strengths of our region and something we should celebrate, defend and take pride in.
But celebrating diversity is not enough. At a time when racism and far-right intimidation are becoming increasingly visible, we also need to stand together against attempts to divide and intimidate our communities. Behind all our differences are the things that unite us: our families, our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, our hopes for the future and our desire to live with dignity, equality and respect. We have far more in common than the far right wants us to believe.
The different blocs on the march reflect the breadth of this movement: Faith, Trade Unions, Youth & Students, Women Against the Far Right, LGBTQ+, Community, Palestine and Climate Justice. Each brings its own experiences, concerns and traditions, but together they demonstrate the power of people coming together around a shared commitment to oppose racism and division. Our different struggles are connected, and our solidarity makes each of them stronger.
The unity will continue at the rally, where people will come together to hear from inspiring speakers and enjoy performances reflecting the diversity, culture and creativity of the West Midlands. It will be a space not only to challenge racism and far-right politics, but also to celebrate the communities and cultures that make our region what it is. At this dangerous moment, we need to build confidence, solidarity and connection within our communities.
We cannot afford to retreat into our own corners and hope that someone else will respond. We are the response. Every conversation that challenges racism matters; every community that reaches out to another matters; and every person who refuses to accept hatred as normal matters. When we come together, we can show that the far right does not represent our communities and will not define our future.
On 4 October, let us fill the streets of Birmingham with a different message: that our communities will not be divided, that racism will not be normalised and that hatred will not have the final word. Different backgrounds, cultures, faiths and identities can come together around our shared humanity. The far right wants to make us afraid of each other. Let us show them what happens when we stand together instead.
Sun 4th October
1 - 6pm
Victoria Square
Birmingham B1 1BD
West Midlands Against Racism: We Stand Together
