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news
 1st September 2005
Challenging racism and Islamophobia after the bombings
By John Campbell, Chair Yorkshire and the Humber UAF
TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber visited Leeds in August to address a meeting organised by Yorkshire & the Humber TUC and Yorkshire Unite Against Fascism. It was one of a series of regional events he undertook to deepen the dialogue between the trade union movement and the Muslim community amongst others, following the escalation of racism and Islamophobia after the London bombings.
Brendan Barber said: “We are talking to Muslim colleagues to hear about the atmosphere in their communities and ways in which the union movement can play its part in preventing the divisions which organisations like the BNP would like to promote.
“They want to make ethnic minority communities scapegoats, making them responsible for all the problems of society.
“There is an old trades union saying — unity is strength. We have to make sure we deliver that, between young and old, men and women, but also unity with all the ethnic communities.”
However, he warned that to avoid it being an empty slogan trade unions should “genuinely reflect the diversity of communities we seek to
represent.”
Referring to concerns about the growing electoral threat of the BNP Brendan Barber reminded everyone that the “UAF was brought together in particular to challenge those who want to sow the seeds of hatred and scapegoat minority communities.”
Faith leaders, students and community activists from across the region praised the TUC leader’s recent opposition to “cheap calls for Muslims to integrate” which verged on them giving up crucial parts of their identity. He reiterated his belief that much needs to be done to overcome the serious consequences
of widespread poverty, especially in communities of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin.
Brendan Barber also expressed his hope that the government would take serious practical steps to challenge discrimination in employment by opening up real opportunities in “a sustained engagement to change underlying problems.”
In reply to criticisms about irresponsible and unsubstantiated comments by the West Yorkshire Chief Constable about the so called
threat posed by ‘Muslim extremist indoctrination camps’ in the National Parks he underlined the responsibility of public figures and the media not to inflame the situation. Consequently, this month’s TUC congress will reaffirm its commitment to challenging racism and discrimination by placing those matters at the centre of its programme of action.
The meeting ended with a commitment by everyone to mobilise for the lobby of BNP leader Nick Griffin’s Leeds Crown Court appearance on November 2nd. UAF is working with the TUC to mobilise trade unionists and other activists for this.
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