Community groups unite to condemn racism

THE scenes of targeted violence in Glasgow in the aftermath of an attempted murder in Belfast shocked people across Scotland, and have prompted comment from a variety of Irish community organisations.

The attack in the New Lodge district of Belfast left the victim hospitalised in a serious condition, and the anti-immigration protests which were sparked by the incident led to substantial disruption across the north of Ireland and Scotland (above).

In many cases, the degenerated into targeted violence against migrants and those identified as migrants or as belonging to migrant communities. In Glasgow, footage of racially motivated assaults was circulated, while in Belfast homes were destroyed, individuals assaulted and businesses attacked in an outbreak of violence which left police unable to contain the assailants.

Reacting to the violence, Call It Out: The Campaign Against Anti-Irish Racism and Anti-Catholic Bigotry spoke about the structures which allow such campaigns of violence to take place.

“The scenes in Glasgow last night shamed the city,” their statement said. “A far-right demonstration quickly escalated into what looked like a pogrom, as a roaming mob appeared to attack passers-by identified as non-white. The videos and images should sicken and anger all decent people. We wish to extend our solidarity with the communities who have been the targets of this hatred, and to all victims of last night’s violence.

“As we have pointed out many times before, the organisational and ideological structure which underpins right wing activity in Scotland and acts as a recruiting ground for contemporary far right groupings is the Loyal Orders and groups associated with them. The failure of the organised left and the trades union movement to name this and root it out has allowed it to flourish.

“These scenes shame us all and require a unified response and we look forward to playing our part in that.

“Aside from the organisational and ideological context, a key factor is the political context. Governments have done little to address material inequality. Loathsome racist politicians have stoked hatred in our communities at every opportunity. Much more must be done to tackle the inequality and ignorance that give rise to division and hatred. But it also requires those on the anti-racist left, especially in Glasgow, to name the guilty parties openly and without fear.”

Cairde na hEireann offered their support to anyone experiencing fear or requiring assistance, asking them to contact the organisation. They also discussed the structures which allowed the situation to develop into such series violence and spoke of the need to stand up for those vulnerable to such intolerance.

"The Irish Republican movement in Scotland sends full solidarity to the victims of last night’s open show of vile, unadulterated fascism in Glasgow, Belfast and further afield,” their statement said. “Irish Catholics know only too well how it feels to be on the receiving end of bigoted and racially motivated attacks and, whilst as appalled as anyone by the harrowing attack in North Belfast, which we all witnessed, we cannot allow people to weaponise this for their own racial prejudice.

“What we are witnessing is mostly young men and boys being whipped into a frenzy by those with an agenda. How ironic that, all of a sudden, we have Loyalists, Unionists and thugs from the far right, ‘community leaders’ included, showing concern for an attack on a man in a Nationalist area by a foreigner. It’s been happening for decades without a peep. Over the coming weeks, we will witness these very same people glorifying in the deaths of Irish Catholics on those very same streets.

“We extend an invitation to anyone who fears for the safety of themselves, their families or their businesses to reach out to our members who will assist in any way we can to get the help that’s required.

“And we end with this promise. Irish Republicans in Glasgow, Coatbridge and throughout Scotland, will not stand idly by and watch families being intimidated and attacked and our towns wrecked by the lowest dregs of society pursuing a racist agenda. If that means feet on the streets then that’s exactly what will happen. It is our duty to stand in full solidarity with the oppressed, now more than ever—we have always done so and will always continue to do so.”

Their words were echoed by the Fáilte Network, a charity aimed at opening up the world of Scottish football to asylum seekers and refugees through attendance at Celtic matches, who also called on those affected by the violence to reach out and offer support where they can.

“The current asylum system breaks people and causes chaos,” they told The Irish Voice. “Private contractors are making eye-watering profits from the asylum system, while we’ve rampaging gangs attacking random non-white people on both sides of the Irish Sea. The asylum backlog was man-made and still has not been properly fixed. People are stuck in a cruel system that can push even well-adjusted people to the edge. We need a public health approach, not a punishment and containment approach. Yet mental health services are already in crisis across the board.

“In 1923, The ‘Menace of the Irish Race to our Scottish Nationality’ document claimed Irish people were an ‘incursion’ who could not be assimilated. It warned of the destruction of Scotland’s ‘unity and homogeneity.’ Sound familiar?

“Misinformation thrives on division. Scotland hosts only around 67,000 supported asylum seekers. There is no general route to apply for asylum from overseas, asylum seekers cannot access benefits or work and those in hotel accommodation receive less than £10 per week.

“We don’t have to choose between fixing housing, supporting the NHS, repairing public services and treating refugees humanely. A country this wealthy can do all of these things and more. Don’t let them tell you otherwise.

“When people are encouraged to blame each other, the real causes of these problems go unchallenged. For many of us, remembering our own history means being the welcome our ancestors deserved. Check on your neighbours. If you don’t know them, get to know them.”