West Midlands Against Racism: Unity March and Rally
Over 70 organisations are backing the major mobilisation celebrating the West Midlands’ diversity and standing against racism and far-right division.
Trade unions, community organisations, campaign groups, students, faith organisations, climate activists, Palestine solidarity groups and LGBTQ+ organisations from across the West Midlands are coming together in Birmingham on Sunday 4 October for a major West Midlands Against Racism Unity March and Rally.
Here are some words from those supporting and joining:
The Power of Solidarity
“As trade unionists, we know the power of solidarity. On 4 October, we have an opportunity to come together in Birmingham and make it clear that division will not win. Our workplaces and our communities are stronger because of the diversity of the people within them. We stand together, we stand against racism, and we stand for a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.” - Dani Jackson, Midlands PCS Regional Secretary.
“Anti-racism is more than words, it is a lifestyle. We must value all regardless of background.” -Javay, a local teacher.
The march and rally will feature live music and performances alongside speakers including Salma Yaqoob of Stop the War Coalition; Stuart Richards, TUC Midlands Regional Secretary; Gina Hardy of Women Against the Far Right; and journalist Femi Oluwole.
Birmingham’s Rich Cultural Diversity
Performers will include Richie Culture & The Visionaries, Myki Tuff, Skint, Dalbir & Friends, Elle-J Walters, The Cadenzas, Banner Theatre, Ustad Jaan Ali Khan, Kadence Music Drummers, Dub Dar and DJ Deesh.
“Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity gave birth to Steel Pulse and UB40, carrying the city’s voice onto the world stage. From this powerful legacy, Unite The People, the cultural wing of SUTR, harnesses culture as a creative weapon against racism and fascism, challenging the hate and division that threaten our communities. No force of hatred can silence the music of our solidarity.” - Mukhtar Dar of Unite The People.
"I’m looking forward to marching, standing, singing and praying on 4th October, alongside neighbours, friends and strangers, people of many faiths and none, from across this beautiful diverse West Midlands region. As a Christian, these challenging times call me to stand for truth against untruth, for hospitality against hostility, for solidarity against division, for faith against fear, for love against hate." - Al Barrett, the vicar of Hodge Hill Church.
“This Unity Rally comes at a time of great need. Racism and fascism are becoming normalised on our streets and in our media and everyday conversations. We have no choice but to come together and fight back. This is what community looks like: Black, brown and white, men and women, young and old, people of different faiths, sexualities and abilities standing together. Birmingham is where I belong and where I want to see safety for all. We are here to stay, and we are united against racism, fascism, misogyny and all forms of hatred.” - Shirin Housee, of Birmingham Black Sisters, who will be marching with the Palestine bloc.
Women Against the Far Right
Women Against the Far Right will be among the organisations participating in the mobilisation, emphasising the need to challenge attempts to exploit genuine concerns around violence against women by directing anger towards migrants and refugees.
“We’re marching together because women’s liberation has always been about collective resistance. The far right doesn’t speak for us, and we won’t allow them to use women’s safety to spread racism and division. Our bloc is a collective feminist voice of defiance. Women standing together, fighting back and refusing to be divided.” - Gina Hardy, Women Against the Far Right national steering committee organiser.
“I’ll be joining my fellow Brummies once again to show that our diversity is our unity, our community and our strength. But I do so with a heavy heart. How many more times must I, as a visibly Muslim Brummie who was born and raised here, join demonstrations to ‘prove’ that I belong in my own home? We need more than words of sympathy from the government. We need real action. Until then, we will continue to stand together and celebrate our diversity loudly and proudly.” - Salma Latif, Brummie teacher and antiracist campaigner.
Climate Justice, Justice for Palestine
“Palestine belongs in the Unity March because the fight against racism and the fight for Palestinian freedom are connected. We stand against racism and oppression wherever it exists, and in solidarity with Palestinians facing apartheid, occupation and dispossession.” - Naeem Malik. Chair of the West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign will be leading the Palestine bloc.
“We are marching against the racism of the far right and the corruption of Reform UK, which has received over £26 million in donations from fossil fuel interests and climate deniers, accounting for more than two-thirds of its total income. That figure has now been dwarfed by the tens of millions pouring into the party from crypto-billionaires. Scrapping net-zero to serve the short-term interests of the rich is madness.” - John Cooper, a member of Birmingham Climate Justice Coalition and one of the organisers of the climate bloc.
Sabiha Aziz, campaigner and Yardley resident, will be joining the City of Sanctuary bloc:
“Born and bred in Birmingham, I know the true strength of our city lies in our diversity and solidarity. As a British Muslim mother of neurodivergent children, I refuse to let toxic, divisive politics dictate our future. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and it is up to every single one of us to call out hate and stand together.”
West Midlands Against Racism: Unity March and Rally
Sunday 4 October 2026
Assemble: 1pm
Victoria Square, Birmingham city centre
Live music | Speakers | Solidarity | Energy
The event is organised by Stand Up To Racism Birmingham and TUC Midlands and supported by more than 70 organisations across the West Midlands.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-midlands-against-racism-unity-march-and-rally-tickets-1998068287033
People are also being asked to support the event’s crowdfunding campaign to help make 4 October the biggest anti-racist mobilisation the West Midlands has seen.
https://www.goodhub.com/go/unityrally2026
Supporting organisations
PCS Midlands Region; Stand Up To Racism Shropshire & Telford; West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Stand Up To Racism Black Country & South Staffs; Brummies United Against Racism & Hate Crime; Solihull Solidarity; Unite the Union Branch WM/6030; National Education Union West Midlands Region; Women Against the Far Right Birmingham & Black Country; Unite the People; Birmingham Race Impact Group; Beyond Racism; Black Country Unite Community; Birmingham Trades Union Council; BRAP; Selly Oak Palestine Solidarity; Alvechurch Against Racism; Women Against the Far Right Coventry and Warwickshire; Stand Up To Racism Coventry and Warwickshire; Birmingham Climate Justice Coalition; Singing Resistance West Midlands; Shrewsbury Pride; Worcestershire Against Hate; Stop the War Birmingham; Baobab Women’s Project; Brum Bloc; Keep Our NHS Public Birmingham; Worcester Trades Union Council; Worcestershire Stand Up To Racism; ASLEF; FBU West Midlands Region; RMT; EQUITY; Musicians’ Union; Poets Against Racism; Access Ability Arts; Coventry Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Wolverhampton Together; Big Ride for Palestine; Green Party Women; Climate Action Network West Midlands; Unison; MAB; Walsall Kobar Friendship Association; Brum Together; Birmingham Friends of the Earth; Peacehub; University and College Union West Midlands; GMB Midlands; North Staffordshire Trade Union Council; Communication Workers Union; USDAW; Unite the Union; Extinction Rebellion Birmingham; Unite Community Birmingham; Birmingham University Unison; Kings Heath United Against Racism; Dudley Palestine Solidarity Group; AIM; Dudley Green Party; NASUWT; Birmingham City of Sanctuary; Warwickshire NEU; Wolverhampton TUC; Birmingham NEU; Unite Black Country Health branch; Walsall TUC; Asian Anti-Racist Alliance; Wolverhampton Green Party.