TOMORROW Stand Up to Racism and Fascism demonstrations are taking place in London and Glasgow.

These TUC-backed marches mark United Nations Anti-Racism Day and are expected to attract a significant turnout.

Across Europe there is growing concern among progressive people and minority communities about the rise of racism and fascism.

Support for far-right parties and scapegoating of minorities is on the increase.

Immigrants are being blamed for an economic crisis they did not contribute to and widespread hysteria is being whipped up against Muslims.

Last year’s European Parliament elections were a stark warning of how far the situation has deteriorated.

Explicitly racist parties, including fascists, topped the polls in France, Denmark and Britain, and took high votes elsewhere.

Marine Le Pen’s electoral rise is a danger and a wake-up call. The French Front National polled almost 25 per cent, the Danish People’s Party 26 per cent, in Britain Ukip 27 per cent and in Hungary Jobbik 14 per cent.

In addition to electoral activity, fascist and racists are building up their street movements, some of which extend beyond protests into organised violence.

In Germany last year the neonazi-backed Pegida movement took to the streets to protest against Muslims.

Although in Britain the English Defence League has been stopped several times from entering Tower Hamlets and its mobilisations reduced elsewhere, there should be no complacency.

Thanks to the activity of Unite Against Fascism and trade unions, the EDL and British National Party have been pushed back — but they have not gone away.

In January the attack in Paris on a kosher supermarket underlined why the rise of anti-semitism also has to be resolutely challenged.

Last year’s London demonstration against racism attracted over 10,000 people.

It was organised by Stand Up to Racism, which is part of a growing international movement.

Tomorrow there will also be similar demonstrations in Greece, Spain, France, Germany, Holland and Ireland.

A wave of protests has also swept across the US, challenging the police killing of black people under the slogan “Black Lives Matter.”

In Britain there have been large solidarity protests supporting this US struggle — and institutional racism here still needs tackling.

In Britain for the past five years the Tory-led government has promoted a reactionary focus on race, immigration and Muslims.

Home Office “Go home” vans, David Cameron’s attacks on multiculturalism and the targeting of Muslims have been high-profile campaigns.

The scapegoating of minorities is promoted to distract attention away from failures of government policy.

Setting this agenda, the Tories have helped to build Ukip’s support. The government has given credence to Ukip’s racist rantings.

While Ukip cannot achieve many seats at May’s parliamentary elections, it is using the platform it has been helped to reach to push the agenda further right.

Nigel Farage is now calling for the scrapping of laws designed to stop racial discrimination in the workplace.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey has led the fightback against this proposal.

As he says, it is “dangerous, crude dog-whistle politics” and Farage’s “assertion that racism is no longer a problem in the UK employment market is naive and conflicts with shocking figures.”

Support for equality and opposition to racism are core trade union values.

The TUC has for many years championed respect for the diversity of race and religion among our population.

Multiculturalism succeeds and improves society, contrary to the claims made by Trevor Phillips. People from different backgrounds can and do get along in peace and harmony.

From the right wing there is a concerted offensive to sow division and attack such unity.

In Britain we need a movement that stands up to this racism and celebrates our diversity.

Tomorrow’s demonstration provides an excellent opportunity to support such a campaign.

- Weyman Bennett is joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism and Stand up to Racism organiser. The demonstration assembles at 12 noon at BBC, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA (nearest Tube Oxford Circus). For more information visit www.standuptoracism.org.uk.