WE CAN’T JUST STOP RIOTS ... WE MUST TACKLE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THEM
CAPTION: In here
THESE last few weeks have shown both the best and the worst of our politics. We have seen the depth of hatred that exists in some quarters, but also the strength of solidarity across our communities.
Every decent person in the country was revolted by the racism, violence and intimidation that was unleashed on so many towns and cities, including the community of Southport in the midst of their grief after a horrific crime.
Many marginalised people were targeted, with Muslims in particular bearing the brunt of it.
The sight of far right rioters trying to set fire to hotels because they had refugees in them is one that will live with many of us for a long time to come. I can’t imagine how terrified the people inside must have been, after fleeing other countries to seek safety, to be subjected to this.
Yet even among these terrible scenes, there have also been some important reminders of the strength of solidarity and community that exists here in Glasgow and beyond.
The sight of so many thousands joining peaceful anti- racist demonstrations was powerful.
Even after decades of relentless anti- immigrant propaganda dominating politics and the media, in every community you will still find people going out of their way to extend a hand of friendship and offer support. And that is the inspiring side of what has happened.
We may not have seen the same kind of rioting in Scotland this time, but we cannot be complacent. Our focus can’t only be on stopping riots when and where they occur, but also on tackling the circumstances that led to them in the first place. Because what the UK has been seeing is not simply mindless violence, as some have argued. It is driven by a deliberate, intentional far right movement knowingly pushing lies and manipulating people.
The conditions which have made this possible are political – austerity, inequality, lack of hope in many parts of the country, and high profile voices in politics and the media telling people that immigrants, asylum seekers and Muslims are the cause of their problems.
So the response must be political too, and must be everywhere, not just in a few places that saw violence break out. That’s why I was proud to see demonstrations take place in many parts of Scotland, including here in Glasgow and outside the Scottish Parliament where I addressed the crowd.
Many people have focused on the need to review laws and regulations relating to social media, to finally hold the tech billionaires accountable for the lies and incitement they are publishing and profiting from.
But necessary though that is, it must be in addition to investing in communities, restoring public services, redistributing wealth, and making it clear that refugees and other targeted groups are a valued and essential part of our society.
As an MSP for Glasgow, some of the hardest requests that my office handles come from people who are seeking asylum.
Whether they’ve experienced a hate crime or they need help in accessing health care, education or housing, they’re looking for an MSP to help them, as we would any other constituent.
Many of them need help to navigate the cruel and Kafkaesque asylum system itself, but I’m always painfully aware that if I advocate on their behalf, I honestly can’t know if I’m helping them or harming their case by bringing it to the attention of a UK Government and Home Office that simply doesn’t care about their wellbeing. Mostly, the UK authorities simply refuse to deal with MSPs on these cases at all.
With a new Prime Minister in Downing Street there must be a demand for change. It’s essential that the new Government finally turns the page on decades of scapegoating and division and starts treating refugees and asylum seekers as human beings.
Because if they continue with the current approach, showing hostility towards refugees and migrants, they will only make things worse. No government can defeat the far right by leaning into its prejudice and racism; only by naming it for what it is, and confronting it.
Next month, on September 7, the far right is threatening to gather in our city centre. Thousands of us, including community groups, political parties, trade unionists and local residents will turn up in large numbers, peacefully united against them and the hatred that they stand for. Join us.