Building the anti-racist, anti-fascist movement in Dundee
Harvey Duke
In Dundee, during two months of intense activity, Socialist Party Scotland members have participated in a dozen protests, involving hundreds of people, including many trade unionists, students and others.
The impact of this struggle, sparked by anti-immigration protests in an area called Linlathen, has been wider than the numbers directly involved.
Through media coverage, including social media, thousands of people have become more aware of discussions and debates around the issues of immigration, racism, the Far Right, and the role of trade unions in anti-racist and anti-fascist movements.
One key indicator of the impact of the struggle in Dundee is – a group of 150 anti-immigration protesters on Saturday 13th September, which included violent elements, has been whittled down to around 10 people.
Their organiser has had to rely on ‘bussing in’ far Right activists from other cities, including Perth, Falkirk and Aberdeen. Even then, they can only muster 20 or so people.
In contrast, anti-racist protesters always outnumber our opponents, and the vast majority of us are people who live in Dundee. 250 were at our first protest and week after week, sometimes 3 times a week, we mobilise people to turn up again.
Over the three days of regular weekly confrontations, we see and keep in touch with our solid core of around 100 Dundee folk, a huge contrast to the less than 10 gathered around the local racist leader.
Our movement achieved it’s successful containment and reduction of racist influence in Dundee through a combination of resolute anti-fascist action, organising trade union stewards to defend our protests, and engaging in debate and discussion with working class people who had been misled by far-Right rhetoric.
Our events have been vibrant, using speeches, music, and ongoing discussions about how to beat racism and fascism.
From the start, the movement in Dundee has been supported by Dundee Trades Union Council, the FBU, Unite, Unison and other trade unions, and by students, pensioners, community groups, and by Stand Up to Racism and Anti Fascist Action, as well as Socialist Party Scotland and other political parties locally.
It has become abundantly clear that the anti-immigration protests which rumble on at Alloway Place in Dundee – often 3 a week – are only supported by a handful of local people, and their racist leader has to rely on ‘patriots’ from other cities. Even then, they cannot muster much more than 20 people.
They contain known Nazis, and men with convictions for violence against women. Yet, they claim to be ‘defenders of women and children’.
There have been arrests of racists, physical attacks against anti racists, and recent use of powerful strobe lights which can cause fits and even death amongst vulnerable individuals.
Widespread revulsion at these vile methods have further isolated the racist remnants. They cancelled one planned protest on November 5th due to widespread concern over planning a night protest when fireworks could become a public safety issue.
Dundee Trades Union Council has called for an end of the divisive anti immigration protests. Stewards and local councillors have successfully pushed for strobe lights to be turned off on grounds of preventing traffic crashes on a nearby road.
All participants recognise that when fascists attack, we defend each other. Trade union stewards come from the same variety of political opinion as we see in every workplace. We know how to unite because we stand united against bosses.
At a recent protest, a Reform UK banner was displayed on the barrier at the racist side.
Comrades from SPS at the protests have played key roles in mobilising support from trade unionists and from others, in organising stewards and events, speaking at rallies, and discussing strategy and tactics.
There have been sometimes sharp disagreements within the movement between groups and individuals who come from a variety of traditions and viewpoints.
Comradely discussion however has been the norm and it has been essential to maintaining unity and momentum. We have campaigned for trade unions, as the mass organisations of the working class, to build a strong anti racist and anti-fascist movement across Dundee.
The core ideas involve linking the struggle for jobs, homes and services to opposing racist attempts to divide the working class by demonising asylum seekers and other minorities.
Many people in trade unions are campaigning for the same thing. Under the banner Dundee Together, a rally of 50 people was recently held in Dundee city square, in order to begin the process of attracting new forces to the anti-racist anti-fascist cause.
Whilst engaging in essential mobilisation against racism and the far Right across our city, we will not neglect the task of opposing the dwindling band of hardcore racists at Alloway.
We have built mutual respect between anti racists and asylum seekers and other refugees. That unbreakable connection is at the core of every decision we make.
We can and we will build a mass anti racist movement in Dundee and across Scotland which will strengthen our great tradition of working class solidarity, struggle, and internationalism, and aid the struggle for a socialist society that will end racism and division permanently.
