THE annual St Andrew’s Day march and rally took place on the streets of Glasgow yesterday to make a stand against racism, discrimination and prejudice in Scotland.
The march, which has been taking place in Scotland for 30 years and is organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), had a gathering of about 1000 supporters who marched from Glasgow Green to a rally at Adelaide’s Auditorium on Bath Street yesterday.
Dave Moxham, deputy general secretary at the STUC, said: “The St Andrew’s day march is an annual statement made by the trade union movement, our friends and supporters that St Andrew’s day will not be used for narrow national purposes that some on the far right have been trying to make it.
“Instead it will be a celebration of diversity and our commitment to oppose racism and fascism here in Scotland as well as internationally.”
The march was made up by several trades unions, political parties and members of the public.
Sarah Hughes, a member of trade union Prospect, said: “Like any union in any workplace we have workers who are from black and Asian ethnic minorities. We have just finished a survey recently that showed that a large percentage of our ethnic workers experience unfairness at work.
“This is wrong and is one of the reasons we are taking part in the march. We are also taking part to promote fairness in society because we believe that Scotland should be a much fairer place and we want to show our support.”
The march concluded at Adelaide’s Auditorium where several campaigners spoke, including human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar who represented Sheku Bayoh’s family after his death in police custody in May 2015. Despite a long fight for justice by his family, no charges were brought against the police. However, they continue to campaign and yesterday led the march.
Wael Shawish of the Association of Palestinian Communities in Scotland, added: “It is really a good thing that one of our biggest organisations in Scotland, the STUC, will continue to champion this cause of anti-racism and will do something about it. It is very encouraging that something practical is being done and I hope it continues with even more people. It is also very encouraging to see so many young people coming out to show support, they are the future, and it was nice to see them out and enjoying themselves at the march.”
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