Fight Racism

Racism is a tried and tested weapon of the capitalist class. It is deliberately stirred up by the rich when they seek to divide potential opposition to their economic and social regime.

Over the last few years, the rich have been even more blatant in their use of racism as a divide and rule tactic to divert people from the role of the capitalist class in creating the social and economic misery that plagues society. It is now common currency to see news reports of billionaires openly bankrolling racist, populist far-right political parties, disseminating racist ideas through media platforms and even supporting violent neo-Nazi gangs. 

These rich reactionaries have been partially successful in seeding sections of the population with racist ideas. In some extreme cases, a small minority of the most backward elements of society have been mobilised to racist violence. Although these numbers are currently tiny, they have a significant impact on communities and should be taken very seriously.

The most recent outbreak of racist violence was a case in point. The numbers involved in violence were small but they had a massive impact in society and, without opposition, they will attract wider layers to their cause. 

Opposition to the growth of racism must be based on a number of key objectives:

• Countering the racist narrative of the billionaires and their political representatives through information and education.
• Trade union-based struggle against the social and economic poverty that provides the underpinning for racism. Such a struggle can remove the opportunity for the far-right to present themselves as the defenders of working-class communities.
• Recognition that racism exists across the sectarian divide. Failure to adequately recognise this fact has given space for racist ideas to grow in some areas.

Our movement should remain confident that the vast majority of society stands steadfast in opposition to violent racism and against the forces of reaction who seek to mobilise around is. The most recent example of organic solidarity was during the recent racist riots where the work of trade unions in workplaces and community organisations against racist attacks took on heroic proportions. The public display of mass opposition that saw many thousands take to the streets in demonstrations against the racists not only sent a message of solidarity to those under attack but also a warning to the racists about the potential power of the trade union and anti-racist movement.

The trade union movement can be rightly proud of the role it has played. We must be ready to mobilise if there is a repeat of the attacks. 

Conference pledges that, in the event of further upsurges in far-right violence, trade union centred demonstrations should take place, and, if necessary, trade unions should repeat our tactics during the period of the 'troubles' when we called members out on half and full day actions to send a warning to the perpetrators of violence. These actions had a direct effect of pushing back against the forces of reaction and of showing massive solidarity across society.