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OVER 10,000 people marched through London’s streets on Saturday in a momentous show of solidarity for UN Anti-Racism Day.
After assembling outside of the BBC’s headquarters, protesters walked to Trafalgar Square chanting: “Theresa May, hear us say, immigrants are here to stay!”
The demonstration, organised by a coalition of anti-racist groups, including Stand Up To Racism, Stop the War and Unite Against Fascism, saw many come from outside the capital to celebrate harmony across communities.
Politicians, trade unionists and well-known campaigners joined forces at the closing rally to speak out against a rise in Islamophobia and xenophobia in Britain.
“Islamophobia is rife — so much so that the language of hatred is too often allowed to pass unchallenged when aimed at the Muslim community,” said Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Talha Ahmad.
“This rally … comes at an opportune moment to tell our politicians as they approach campaigning season that the politics of hatred and scapegoating will not be tolerated by the decent people of our nation.”
Speakers were quick to criticise not only far-right Ukip, but also the coalition government for clamping down on migrants and asylum-seekers with new draconian laws.
Protester Tom Smith told the Star he was there in support of detained migrants and to raise attention on immigration and detention centres.
“We think they should be shut down — they are prisons for migrants and they really shouldn’t exist,” he said.
