08/08/2024
A joint statement from the campus trade unions at Manchester Met on the recent rise of far right violence.
This Saturday, Manchester will come together to show that we are a multicultural city; we are a diverse city; we are a city of sanctuary; we reject fascism, racism and the politics of hate and we stand together to defend refugees, Muslims and anyone else targeted by racists.
Join us for a peaceful and welcoming rally to celebrate unity and community on Saturday 10 August, 11am, in Piccadilly Gardens.
Statement text - “We are appalled at the scenes of racism and Islamophobia that we have witnessed on our streets in the last week.
We condemn those whose rhetoric has fanned the flames, and those who have failed to challenge the increasingly dangerous, inflammatory language that has led to this moment. We are also disappointed that some political leaders have refused to call these actions out for what they are.
Trade unions should be at the forefront of the fight for equality and safety, both in our workplaces and in our communities. We believe in a society where everyone feels safe and respected and we offer our unwavering support to the communities being targeted.
Many branch members have been supporting counter-demonstrations against the far right and we are encouraging those doing so to be safe: please be vigilant and, where possible, travel in groups.
To stay up-to-date, we also encourage everyone to share information amongst your friends, families, comrades, trades councils and network.
Whilst hybrid working remains the norm for lots of staff, many staff members are travelling into work on site.
A statement from management has been issued with a reminder of mechanisms for support and advising that if the current situation is impacting your work, to please speak to your line manager. Staff safety is obviously paramount, and we have raised the matter of specific adjustments with management.
If you feel unsafe travelling to work and/or being at work, please speak to your line manager to see what adjustments can be made. Please also contact the branch if you have concerns and/or need support, as we may be able to help.“