In this most turbulent of years, we must stand firmly against racism- Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Labour Party

Last year, the annual St Andrew's Day March sent a powerful message that refugees are welcome in Scotland.

A humanitarian tragedy was unfolding across the globe, and the STUC led the charge for those of us who believe in compassion.

Since then, our world has witnessed one of the most turbulent years in living memory.

Along with the STUC I campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU, but the referendum result did not go our way.

It was disappointing not least because of the economic consequences, such as the detrimental impact on the Scottish jobs and investment that the STUC fights for every single day.

But it was equally distressing because of the rise our country has witnessed in hate crime. 

The vote across the UK was a result of years of growing distance between people with power and the people who power is exercised upon, yet there were those in the Leave campaign who used EU migrants as scapegoats.

Since June, an argument about the future of our country has been reduced to the sickening sight of Tory MPs arguing over whether EU migrants get to stay in our country, with increasingly xenophobic rhetoric seeping out from around Theresa May’s Cabinet table.

Across the Pond, the recent US presidential election brought out an even darker side of humanity, and the divisions caused by Donald Trump’s racist campaign will take years to heal.

Scottish Labour stands against those who wish to divide us, and stands firmly against racism wherever it may be found.

Scotland has a proud record of tolerance, but we must never be complacent and pretend to ourselves that our nation is immune to racism and hatred.

Kezia Dugdale MSP,

Leader of the Scottish Labour Party

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page

The racist tide will only be driven back by anti-racists standing up and confronting it- Talat Ahmed, Stand Up to Racism, Scotland

A racist offensive is sweeping Europe, with governments and the right-wing media using migrants, refugees and Muslims as scapegoats for an economic crisis and wars they did not create.

The recent demolition of the refugee camp in Calais is just the latest example of a grotesque society that demonizes the victims of war and persecution. Despite this, thousands of people including around three hundred unaccompanied minors are stranded in Calais. Some of these children have been faced with the trauma of seeing their temporary homes destroyed – by fire or demolition.

Volunteers in Calais report that there are a number of unaccompanied children without access to shelter, regular food and water as a result of aid agencies being prevented from carrying out distributions in the camp.

It is unacceptable that children are being put at risk by the destruction of the camp.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd should act to safeguard the children evicted from the camp by bringing them safely to Britain under the Dubs Amendment; the French government should halt the demolition of the camp and allow aid agencies to distribute humanitarian aid.

The racist tide will only be driven back by anti- racists standing up and confronting it. From Germany to Greece to the USA, people who want a society free from racism are saying no more. People are taking to the streets in large numbers to oppose racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and to say migrants and refugees are welcome here.

This is why Stand up to Racism fully supports the STUC St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally. Trade unionists, students, people of all faiths and none, migrants, musicians, refugees, pensioners and parents, will march to make a defiant stand against racism.

We are the majority and we will stand up to racism.

Talat Ahmed
Stand up to Racism, Scotland

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page

Division and hate must not win- Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrats

We have made real progress in tackling racism in our society in recent years. The STUC and other groups have been at the forefront of efforts to curb racism and they deserve credit for their hard work. But the aftermath of the EU referendum shows that there is still a huge amount of work to be done if we are to tackle racism across the UK. 

Scotland and the UK have proud tradition as safe havens for those fleeing persecution that dates as far back as the 16th century. It makes me angry that this tradition is now under threat. 

The response from some media outlets questioning the age of children who are coming to the UK as refugees is the latest immigration storm. We should make no mistake. What we are facing here is little more than thinly veiled racism. 

It is down to all of us who reject racist rhetoric to make the case for the UK meeting our international humanitarian obligations. We must work together to ensure that our country is open, tolerant and united. Division and hate must not win. 

Education is key to eradicating the scourge of racism from our streets, from our schools and workplaces. This march is another opportunity to educate people and send a strong message that there is no place for racism anywhere in the UK.

I hope that those joining us on the march will take this message back to their own communities. When we hear racist abuse, we need to speak up.

Willie Rennie MSP

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page 

We must be unselfconscious about defending the values we share- Ruth Davidson, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party

Scotland’s cultural and racial diversity continues to be one of our nation’s great assets.

We have a reputation as an open, tolerant and welcoming society – one that values all people, no matter their colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation.

Those of us who believe in this vision cannot shy away from championing it. We must be unselfconscious about defending the values we share and be steadfast in our commitment to seeing them upheld.  

2016 has been a momentous year – for Scotland, the United Kingdom and our friends and allies on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, there are constants even in this period of flux.

Rooting out prejudice is as important today as it ever has been and we have a duty to further the message that whether prompted by skin colour, religion or nationality, discrimination is completely unacceptable in modern Scotland.

But we cannot be complacent.  

Across the country, our communities continue to be enriched by those who have chosen to make this country their home.

And we are better for our acceptance of different faiths and the protection we afford minorities.

But we must be honest with ourselves too. There remain hostile voices and backward glances.

Instead of wishing them away, we must challenge these views directly; redoubling our efforts to root out prejudice and tackle abuse. 

It’s to the STUC’s enormous credit that the trade union movement is in the vanguard of Scotland’s Anti-Racism movement. Once again, I’m proud to offer this longstanding event my wholehearted support.

Ruth Davidson 

Leader, Scottish Conservative Party

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page

We can make a change in society by refusing to be a bystander- Alastair Pringle, EHRC

We haven't seen the same rise in reported incidents in Scotland as we have elsewhere following the vote to leave the EU, but that doesn't mean that people feel safe, or are not anxious about how people are viewing them in Scotland. Too many people still feel they have license to abuse their fellow citizens on racial or homophobic or other grounds. 

We worked with the Scottish Government on the recently published Scottish Social Attitudes Survey which showed that negative attitudes towards some groups remain stubbornly entrenched, in particular for Gypsy/Travellers, people with mental health problems and transgender people. 

However, it also showed significant improvements in attitudes towards gay, lesbian and bisexual people and showed that attitudes in general towards Scotland’s black and ethnic minority community remain positive. So we have made good progress, but clearly still have a long way to go. 

We believe that part of the solution lies in understanding how best to challenge environments which are permissive of this sort of behaviour. The stark fact is that half of all reported hate crime incidents are committed by, and towards, young people.

Building confidence amongst young people, those who work with them and those who work in community settings, to tackle prejudice and discrimination wherever they see it is absolutely vital in tackling prejudice in Scotland. There is also a need to examine current evidence to see what is currently working, before we try to reinvent the wheel elsewhere. 

This is a responsibility for all of us. We all have a part to play, from the Scottish Government, to our schools, to our workplaces, to each of us as individuals. We can make a change in society by refusing to be a bystander, showing leadership by example and speaking up and being an active citizen. It is everyone’s business to make this a thing of the past.

Alastair Pringle

Scotland Director

Equality and Human Rights Commission 

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page

We must not be cowed by the successes of Trump or others- Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green Party

Scotland’s anti-racist movement comprises trade unions, voluntary organisations, community and religious groups, and political parties and many other activists. Working together, that movement has built a long track record of defending communities, protecting people’s rights, and making the case for a strong, diverse and inclusive society. But this movement also knows that its work will never be complete – we will always have more work to do if we’re determined to safeguard what’s already been achieved, and tackle the prejudice and hatred which still exists.

Now, with the racist far right undergoing a resurgence, that determination must be stronger than ever. Donald Trump’s election in the US has not only exposed his own personal racism; it has been brought about with the explicit support of white supremacists old and new. Across Europe we see the far right gaining ground, and in the coming months we must stand together with those opposing it in Austria, the Netherlands, France and many other countries. 

And in this country, the Brexit campaign unleashed hatred, prejudice and intolerance at a frightening level, making those who harbour racist views feel legitimised. The result of the referendum threatens to undermine those bonds of solidarity and common action on human rights and equality which an internationalist anti-racist movement must be based on. 

We must not relent. We must not be cowed by the successes of Trump or others. Above all, we must not treat them as a normal and legitimate part of the political process. The St Andrew’s Day march and rally gives us an annual opportunity to recommit ourselves to our shared task, not merely to oppose racism but to inspire in our fellow citizens a mutual understanding, respect and celebration which racism can never overcome.

Patrick Harvie, MSP

Co-Convenor Scottish Green Party

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page

St Andrew's Day is Our Day- Let's Use it to March Against Racism

The STUC Black Workers’ Committee is once again proud to be at the centre of organising the 2016 St Andrew's Day March and Rally against racism and fascism. We encourage you, your friends and your families to all participate this year and contribute to making it another successful event.

It is worth taking a few moments to reflect on the origins of this event, since the reasons why it originally took place are as relevant today as they were the very first time we marched. 

The March and Rally began in 1989 as a counter-demonstration against the British National Party, who tried to defile Scotland’s national day by claiming it to peddle their hatred. A broad coalition of trade union and community groups rightly decided that there was no place in Scotland for racists and fascists. A counter demonstration was quickly organised. One that successfully dwarfed and overshadowed the efforts of the British National Party. Recognising that Scotland needed to be continually vigilant to the far-right in all its guises, the STUC has been involved in organising the St Andrew's Day event each year since. Over ensuing decades the STUC Black Workers’ Committee has been pivotal in making sure that the St Andrew's Day event has remained a positive focus for community cohesion, a vehicle for welcoming the diversity of all of Scotland’s citizens and for celebrating our shared humanity. 

Since then, by organising and taking to the streets each year, wonderfully supported by an enviable range of like minded groups, we have prevented further efforts from the far right British Nationalist Party and the English/Scottish Defence Leagues from getting a foothold in Scotland.

Unfortunately the rise in racism and xenophobia resulting from the EU Referendum here in the UK and more from the US Presidential election campaign further afield has made the St Andrew's Day event especially relevant in 2016. Frustratingly and perversely, democracy seems to be promoting division, bigotry and prejudice instead of unity and acceptance. In too many instances, what was in 2015, the most unacceptable and offensive racist language has become overt and normalised in 2016. Hate crime is clearly more prevalent - here in Scotland as well as in the rest of the UK. The right wing media have become more bold with their extreme and all too often abhorrent views on EU and non-EU nationals alike, propagating myths and lies on migrants and migration. An unpleasant climate of intolerance is undoing so much of our good work and taking us backwards.

The STUC commends the leadership shown by the highest levels in Scottish Government, who always stand shoulder to shoulder with the trade unions to condemn racism and hate crime. Unfortunately Government leaders elsewhere in the UK are, at best slow with their condemnation, and sadly in too many cases are contributory parties. 

All of these are compelling reasons for firmly uniting to challenge the divisive developments of 2016. We have successfully countered this before and we must do so again. Each year and every year until we have consigned racism and fascism to history. 

St Andrew's Day is our day. A day which celebrates Scotland as the nation that we would all wish it to be - united, welcoming, accepting and thriving because of our rich and varied communities. In our Scotland there will never be any place for racism and fascism.

Satnam Ner

STUC Vice-President,
STUC Black Workers' Committee and
Prospect

For details of the St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March see the STUC Website or the St Andrew's Day Facebook Page

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the First Minster of Scotland on the importance of this March.

In September, just before a humanitarian summit on Scotland’s response to the refugee crisis I had the opportunity to sit down for a cup of tea with people who have made their home in Scotland after fleeing persecution and war in their own country. 

As we talked, it became apparent that they had been made to feel extremely welcome in Scotland and all of them were keen to contribute positively to society. Later, some gave powerful testimonies in the summit itself, describing how they had brought their families here to make a new home. 

Listening to their stories, it was clear that the decision taken by these people to leave their own countries had not been an easy one. Anyone who risks taking their family on what can be a treacherous journey does not do so without having exhausted all available options at home. 

That is why we must recognise that the desperate situation in which people arriving on Europe’s southern shores find themselves is a humanitarian crisis. These people come to Europe and the United Kingdom, not to “scrounge from our welfare state” or “steal our jobs” but because they have no choice if they want to keep their families safe. 

In responding to this humanitarian crisis, I have made it clear that we stand ready to accept our fair share of refugees. Indeed, we expect to take around a third of the total number coming to the UK before Christmas. 

That has meant an immense amount of work by local authorities and other partners such as the Scottish Refugee Council and the STUC, to ensure that those arriving in Scotland are able to integrate successfully into society. 

But it has also demonstrated the wider desire, across Scottish society, to pitch in with practical help to some incredibly vulnerable people. We have been inundated with offers of support from members of the public, businesses and organisations from all parts of Scotland. 

All of this has meant that, as the first people seeking refuge from the war in their own country have begun to arrive in Scotland, they have been assured of a very warm welcome.

Nicola Sturgeon

First Minister of Scotland 

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from Kezia Dugdale MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party on the importance of this March.

Scotland has a proud record of being a multicultural and welcoming country. The last few months, as the refugee crisis has escalated, we have seen this welcoming and empathetic culture at its very best.

A few weeks ago I joined a rally outside the Scottish Parliament, saying loudly and proudly that refugees are welcome here. Outside the Parliament were lined candles, messages of support and messages to David Cameron, condemning his poor response to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. I was proud to light a candle and immensely proud of the public response; young and old, of different cultures and different backgrounds, people coming together with one powerful voice. It is this collectivism and this inclusiveness that will always defeat bigotry and racism.

Scotland's response has been phenomenal. We have had families open the doors to refugees, volunteers collecting hundreds of bags and boxes of donations and fundraising pouring in. A particularly heartwarming response has come from our local authorities. Glasgow was the first UK city to accept Syrian refugees, In Edinburgh we've committed to support 100 refugees, in the Highlands 30 more, and these are just a few examples, there are countless more examples of solidarity.

Whether it was when Glasgow awarded the key to the city to Nelson Mandela or when crowds of public have lined the streets peacefully against the BNP or SDL, we have said no to racism before and I hope people across Scotland will continue to do so. We can never be complacent about bigotry, we can never assume that because we are tolerant others will be too. It is an activism that must be conveyed in or daily actions, we must all take it on ourselves to call out racism when we see it or hear it.

Silence condones it, our rallying and our protests condemn it.

Kezia Dugdale

Leader Scottish Labour Party

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest 

Blog from Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Green Party on the importance of this March.

Europe is facing the most severe refugee crisis for generations, and as winter sets in the human toll is already unbearably heavy. Yet in the UK and many other countries, the voices of racism and xenophobia are heard, including in government, denying the human dignity of those seeking refuge and seeking to close the door on them.

All too often people are encouraged to view refugees as a burden, rather than as fellow human beings. In reality, it is those who are forced to leave their homes, often undertaking perilous journeys, who bear a burden. Wealthy countries such as ours are in a privileged position in being able to help, and it is vital that we resist and oppose the hostility, selfishness and racism which is intended to undermine the empathy and compassion which should guide our actions.

I believe that most of Scottish society, and the majority of Scotland’s political landscape, does reject those racist attitudes. But we can never relent in making that clear and in challenging racism where it continues to exist, whether in a position of power or anywhere in our society. So the Scottish Green Party is proud to support the STUC’s St Andrew’s Day march and rally, and we will work with you to ensure that Scotland is united in offering refugees the welcome and the security which they need and deserve.

Patrick Harvie

Co-convener of the Scottish Green Party

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from Ruth Davidson MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party on the importance of this March.

Nobody could fail to be moved by the humanitarian crisis which continues to unfold. 

The testimony of the men, woman and children who risk everything they have to escape an intolerable situation, is hugely affecting.

The UK is a moral nation and we fulfil our moral responsibilities.

I am proud that we are the first G7 nation to meet its commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our economy on aid. I am pleased, too, that the UK is allocating £1 billion in aid and development programmes to help with the Syrian refugee crisis – more than any country bar America. The Prime Minister has also appointed a new Minister for Refugees

It is right too, that our country has offered sanctuary to 20,000 refugees, resettled directly from camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. 

Importantly, this approach balances the need to give shelter, with the need to discourage vulnerable families from making the dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean. 

But simply accepting refugees is not enough. 

We have to support our local communities, too. That is why we will use the foreign aid budget to help councils provide critical services, such as housing. 

The challenge now is to build on our commitments. Those coming here fleeing the worst of circumstances need to feel welcomed.

We must all continue to do our bit to ensure that Scotland’s cultural and racial diversity is seen as one of our nation’s great assets, rather than as a threat. For this diversity is something which makes our country, and, especially, our cities, such incredible places to live and work.

We all have our own part to play in championing this message. 

That’s why it is so important that this STUC No Racism rally - and others like it- continue to take place to ensure we can promote a future without racism. 

The STUC has long shown an admirable commitment to this fight and I stand proudly with them.

Ruth Davidson 

Leader Scottish Conservative Party

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the importance of this March.

In recent years we have made substantial progress towards tackling prejudice and our country is a better place as a result.

But attitudes towards those seeking sanctuary in our country have been slower to change.

Too many people still view refugees as an unnecessary burden. With the Prime Minister and tabloid headlines warning of “swarms” of migrants coming to our shores, it is easy to see how these views can persist.

The refugee crisis is the biggest humanitarian challenge that Europe has faced since 1945. Our response to the crisis needs to match the scale of this challenge.

And just as we speak out against racism, we need to ensure that we are challenging those who would see us ignore our obligation to help.

We must not allow those who would use this tragedy as an excuse to pull up the drawbridge to win the argument.

We must not let prejudice and small-mindedness prevent us from helping people who need our support desperately.

The failure of the UK government to accept more than a fraction of the refugees we should be helping is enormously disappointing.

Britain has always been a country that welcomed refugees, from those fleeing religious persecution in the 17th century, to the children saved through the kindertransport ahead of World War II. Now is not the time to abandon these historic values.

We can do more to help. We must do more to help.

It is down to all of us who would see us react to the refugee crisis with tolerance, openness and compassion to speak with one voice and send a strong, clear message.

Refugees are welcome here.

Willie Rennie MSP

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from NUS Scotland on the importance of this March.

NUS Scotland are proud to be supporting the St Andrews’ Day March, a demonstration of the strength of our united movements against racism and fascism. Migrants to Scotland contribute huge amounts to our society and it’s important that we celebrate this valuable contribution at every opportunity. St Andrew’s day particularly, gives us an important opportunity to show the strength of positive feeling that exists across our community to the importance of standing up for those potentially fleeing persecution, and seeking a better life, in Scotland. 

With the refugee crisis growing, and the disgraceful anti-immigration rhetoric we’re seeing from sections of the media and politicians across the UK, it’s rarely been more important to unite in opposing racism everywhere it rears its ugly head. Far too often we see negative stories about people risking everything to try and escape the destruction of their home countries, but we’ve also seen this met with positive actions to help those caught up in the crisis, a crisis caused by circumstances beyond their control.

The student and trade union movement has a strong history of supporting internationalism, and fighting racism and fascism. Even in the last few weeks, students and students’ associations across Scotland have mobilised in response to the refugee crisis we’ve seen, setting up “drop off” points, where students donated vital items to refugees in Calais. We’ve also seen campaigns up and down the country calling for better support for our refugee and asylum seeking students, leading to scholarships being introduced at the University of Edinburgh and Strathclyde. 

Our own Black Students’ Campaign has been instrumental in the campaign against the forced deportation of one of our students, Majid Ali, who was taken to Pakistan despite concerns for his safety in the country. While this is a distressing example of this government’s disgraceful attitudes to some of our brightest students, Majid’s is by no means a unique case, and it is a campaign we fight day in, day out. 

As the St Andrews Day March demonstrates, Scotland has a huge number of fantastic organisations and individuals campaigning against racism and fascism. However, it’s frankly a disgrace that the responsibility to support for asylum seekers and refugees, some of the most vulnerable members of our society, has been left solely to our grassroots activists while the government turns its back on them. 

We look forward to working in solidarity with partners across Scotland to change this, and fight the government’s appalling attitude towards asylum seekers and refugees. 

Vonnie Sandlan, NUS Scotland president

Sanjay Lago, NUS Scotland black student’s officer

No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from Alastair Pringle, Equality and Human Rights Commission on the importance of this March.

Communities across Scotland have long played a proud and welcoming part in offering shelter to those seeking asylum. Our history of fairness, dignity and respect are shown in the recent outpouring of public support for helping those in need fleeing across Europe.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to the Governments at Holyrood and Westminster to offer our assistance and expertise as they develop plans to tackle the current refugee crisis. We, in towns and cities all over Scotland, have a role to play. We must demonstrate that refugees are welcome in this country, that we will support their inclusion in our society to make it a more diverse and tolerant place. This should be in keeping with the international laws for the right to asylum which must always be upheld.

Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights prescribes that everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries, provided it is appropriately invoked. The Equality and Human Rights Commission will support efforts that welcome refugees and protect their human rights.

Together, we need to recognise and challenge any attempt to discriminate against refugees, directly or indirectly. This might mean we need to look critically at our own actions and those of our friends, families, colleagues and neighbours. It might mean we have to challenge and speak out against hurtful language or deeds. It also might mean that our public services need to look again at how they provide essential health, care, education, employment and support services to these groups of people who come to Scotland seeking a safe and secure future.

We should continue to show compassionate leadership on this matter, reflecting our influence and the extent to which we benefit culturally and economically from migration so we can let the world know that refugees are welcome here.


Alastair Pringle
Equality and Human Rights Commission

Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from John Wilkes, Scottish Refugee Council on the importance of this March.  

Scottish Refugee Council is proud to support the STUC’s important annual Anti-Racism march.

The theme of this year; No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here tells the story of how the refugee crisis in the Middle East and the Mediterranean has become a central issue for Europe in the last few weeks.

Until recently, the refugee crisis wasn’t on many people’s radar. That was until the heartbreaking image of three-year-old Alan Kurdi whose lifeless body was found washed up on a Turkish beach was shown across the world.
Alan’s [inaccurately reported as Aylan] five-year-old brother and mother also drowned on that perilous trip across the Mediterranean.

This Syrian family is not the first and sadly will not be the last victims of what is the worst global humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. Desperate men, women and children are risking their lives every day in a bid to reach safety.

However this image has galvanised public support and empathy and forced the UK Government into long overdue action. Scotland has been central to this and the Scottish Parliament and Government have shown great leadership on the response that is needed and continue to put pressure on the UK Government to do more. Scottish Refugee Council has experienced much of the positive compassion, generosity and support from the Scottish public at a scale rarely seen in our 30 year history.

Thousands of people across this country are saying loud and clear that they welcome refugees. These are not just empty words, but are being put into action.
But we’re also very aware of those who wish to play on people’s fears and who are using this as an opportunity to voice their racist views towards those seeking safety on our shores.

We need to speak up for refugees, address people’s genuine concerns, and stand up to those exploiting this refugee crisis to spread racism and divide people.

Scotland is ready and willing to play its part in welcoming refugees. We must remember that they are people just like us with their own hopes and fears. They are ordinary people living through extraordinary circumstances. Let’s make sure that all refugees are welcomed irrespective of race.

Scotland can be a beacon for how we treat refugees. Say no racism: refugees are welcome here.
Thank you for showing your solidarity with refugees today.

For more information on the developments on the crisis and to register your own offers of help please visit www.scotlandwelcomesrefugees.scot


John Wilkes
CEO of Scottish Refugee Council