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

Our Future Free from Racism

Last year I wrote in support of the St Andrew's day March and Rally, looking ahead to a landmark year for Scotland and for Glasgow in particular.

Both the independence referendum and the Commonwealth Games were rare opportunities for Scotland to present its values and its hopes for the future to the wider world.

Now, as Scotland’s year in the international spotlight draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on what lessons we can take from these events, and how we work towards a Scotland free from racism.

The Games were first and foremost a spectacle of sport, with the efforts and talent of the athletes front and centre. But it also offered us the chance to show ourselves as a welcoming and inclusive nation that we are and I was particularly proud of the Pride House initiative, building links with human rights activists across the Commonwealth.

The referendum campaign opened up public debate in Scotland like nothing seen before, and people really have been exploring what kind of country they want to live in. Underpinning this were questions about what it meant to be Scottish, and I think it is a testament to everyone involved that this was overwhelmingly framed in a positive and inclusive way, not along narrow lines of ethnicity or place of birth.  

Though it has been such an extraordinary year, we should not be complacent about the direction of politics. Scotland is far from free of racism, and we must address the big challenges we face. The xenophobic UKIP have just elected their first MP, following their win in this year’s European elections. The rise of right wing and extremist parties across Europe and closer to home is something that we have a responsibility to take on, and Greens will never let UKIP’s ugly brand of politics go un-challenged.

Patrick Harvie

Co-Convener of the Scottish Green Party