Latest news with #SUTR
The National
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Pro-Israel groups banned from Stand Up To Racism events in Scotland
Last year, the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) and the Scottish Palestinian Society (SPS) both urged SUTR to ban Glasgow Friends of Israel (GFI) from marches as the presence of the organisation had led to a growing number of pro-Palestine organisations dropping out. Now SUTR's steering committee has confirmed members of GFI and the Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland (COFIS) are "not welcome" at future events due to their support for Israel and organisations such as Reform UK. A statement posted on Facebook from SUTR said: "We wish to publicly clarify beyond any doubt that the Glasgow Friends of Israel and COFIS groups are NOT WELCOME at SUTR Scotland events. READ MORE: Tory MP brands SNP 'fifth columnists' over weapons funding opposition 'They have never been invited to any SUTR event, spoken as part of any SUTR platform, or been part of discussions with SUTR Scotland. 'SUTR aims to unite people of all faiths, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and none, against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and the far-right, and they are all welcome at our events and initiatives.' Wael Shawish of SPS – a group for Palestinians residing in Scotland – told The National last year it was 'painful' for him and the organisation not to be able to join the march in 2024 because of the Israeli flag being flown during it. He said: 'We can't even dream of joining such a march with the Israeli flag being waved over our heads. We are oppressed by that flag." Gerry Coutts, of the SPSC, also explained how his group in recent years had handed out leaflets at the start of the march explaining why they are not participating. He said last year: 'As long as Israel remains an apartheid state, SPSC is calling for GFI to be banned from future SUTR marches as their presence is incompatible with the march's intention of celebrating International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.' READ MORE: 'Disturbed': MP Rosie Duffield hits out after armed police threaten Gaza protester SUTR said it now rejected the presence of GFI and COFIS due to support for the far-right "internationally and here in Scotland" and joining "the efforts by politicians to push the Islamophobic lie that millions protesting in solidarity with Palestine are 'hate marchers'". It added the groups were not welcome due to "justifying and applauding" the actions by the state of Israel. The SUTR committee noted: 'The focus of SUTR Scotland's campaigning activities involves building broad-based mass anti-racist action in solidarity with refugees and migrants, supporting justice campaigns against police and institutional racism, and facilitating a united response to the Islamophobic and antisemitic far-right, fascist groups, and particularly now the threat of Reform UK.' 'However, we reject the presence of GFI and COFIS, organisations whose activity involves justifying and applauding the actions by the state of Israel, which is engaged in carrying out genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.' GFI, which describes itself as 'a grassroots organisation that supports the right of Israel to democratic self-determination,' runs an information stall in Buchanan Street in Glasgow every Saturday. The SUTR committee went on to criticise GFI's relationship with Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr, who has been photographed visiting the stall and has expressed support for the group on social media. The statement noted: 'No organisation that supports [Reform UK], which is trying to convince millions of voters that refugees, migrants and Muslims are to blame for society's problems, and in the process opening the door to dangerous fascist forces, is welcome at SUTR Scotland events.' In 2024, a group called Scotland Against Criminalising Communities (SACC) refused to attend a SUTR march due to concerns over GFI and COFIS's attendance.
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Stand up to Racism Scotland bars pro-Israel groups
On Thursday, the group's steering committee announced that members of Glasgow Friends of Israel (GFI) and the Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland (COFIS) were 'not welcome' at future events due to their support for Israel and organisations such as Reform UK. This is the latest development in a years-long row over the inclusion of the two pro-Israel groups. SUTR has organised a range of events in recent years. (Image: Colin Mearns) In a statement posted to X, the committee wrote: 'We wish to publicly clarify beyond any doubt that the Glasgow Friends of Israel and COFIS groups are NOT WELCOME at SUTR Scotland events. 'They have never been invited to any SUTR event, spoken as part of any SUTR platform, or been part of discussions with SUTR Scotland. 'SUTR aims to unite people of all faiths, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and none, against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and the far-right, and they are all welcome at our events and initiatives.' GFI, which describes itself as 'a grassroots organisation that supports the right of Israel to democratic self-determination,' runs an information stall on Buchanan Street every Saturday. The group regularly posts on Facebook about interactions with supporters, as well as with pro-Palestine demonstrators, who they have called 'hate groups' and 'terrorist lovers.' COFIS was set up in 2020 to counteract 'lazy and biased reporting in the media' and the 'careless words' of politicians, which they claim leads to "antisemitism and prejudice.' It consists of pro-Israel groups in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness. The groups have been criticised for their support of Israel and its government, led by President Benjamin Netanyahu. The SUTR committee noted: 'The focus of SUTR Scotland's campaigning activities involves building broad-based mass anti-racist action in solidarity with refugees and migrants, supporting justice campaigns against police and institutional racism, and facilitating a united response to the Islamophobic and antisemitic far-right, fascist groups, and particularly now the threat of Reform UK.' 'However, we reject the presence of GFI and COFIS, organisations whose activity involves justifying and applauding the actions by the state of Israel, which is engaged in carrying out genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.' The SUTR committee went on to criticise GFI's relationship with Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr, who has been photographed visiting the stall and has expressed support for the group on social media. The statement noted: 'No organisation that supports [Reform UK], which is trying to convince millions of voters that refugees, migrants and Muslims are to blame for society's problems, and in the process opening the door to dangerous fascist forces, is welcome at SUTR Scotland events.' Reform councillor Thomas Kerr has backed the group. (Image: Newsquest) The ongoing row dates back several years. In a 2023 post on their website, COFIS alleged that members of two Scottish pro-Israel groups had been sent to the back of a SUTR anti-racist march and told they were not welcome due to their views. The post read: 'On 18 March 2023, members of Glasgow Friends of Israel and Highland Friends of Israel assembled in George Square for the start of this year's march. 'Although there had been liaison with Police Scotland to ensure their protection, any 'Zionist' who dared to try and join the mainstream march was forcefully told by organisers that they were not welcome and ordered to the back, where they were separated from the rest of the marchers by a line of stewards.' Read more: Cool-headed John Swinney pulls out trump card ahead of high stakes summit Scottish Greens slam John Swinney's 'tragic' plans to meet with Donald Trump 'A grim reality': Glasgow City Council spent £106m to house homeless last year However, SUTR has previously been criticised for 'failing' to publicly denounce the groups. In 2024, a group called Scotland Against Criminalising Communities (SACC) refused to attend a SUTR march due to concerns over GFI and COFIS's attendance. The group wrote: "SACC is one of a number of organisations that, as in previous years, will be staying away from the march because of the failure by SUTR Scotland to state that Friends of Israel groups will not be welcome on the march." COFIS and GFI have been approached for comment.
The National
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Anti-racism rally and music event set for Glasgow this weekend
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) have organised an 'Aye Welcome Refugees' march through the city centre on Saturday, June 21, followed by the free We All Belong Carnival in the Old Fruitmarket. Attendees are expected to gather in Barrowland Park around 12pm before the march takes off, followed by a short rally ahead of the music event. Around 2000 people are set to join, with SUTR organising bus transport from Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen for those wishing to attend. Whilst Glasgow City Council have not announced any formal roadblocks, Police Scotland are expected to implement rolling closures throughout the day. Which roads will be affected? The final route has not been confirmed, but the following streets are set to be affected: Moir Street London Road Trongate Glassford Street Ingram Street South Frederick Street South George Square St. Vincent Place St. Vincent Street Renfield Street Union Street Argyle Street Queen Street Candleriggs Who is performing? The family-friendly carnival, organised by Love Music Hate Racism Glasgow, will kick off after the march concludes. A number of stalls and activities, like henna tattooing, face painting, balloon artistry and puppeteering. Several Scottish acts will perform, with the lineup featuring Iona Fyfe, Pilgrims Society, Mellow Party and Cabaret Against The Hate's Tom Harlow. Why now? Saturday's festivities have been organised to mark World Refugee Day, which falls on Friday June 20. In a statement posted to social media, SUTR said: "Our movement fights our government's involvement in the wars that create refugees. "We also stand in solidarity with refugees trying to rebuild their lives while being scapegoated and demonised by the very same politicians.' The focus of World Refugee Day 2025 is solidarity with refugees, with the UNHRC stressing the importance of honouring refugees 'not just with words but with actions'. Who has endorsed it? A number of trade unions and charity organisations have endorsed Saturday's events. RMT, Glasgow Trades Council and West Lothian Trades Council are among the unions who have voiced their support. Charities such as Refuweegee and Stop The War Scotland have also expressed support.
The National
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Peaceful protest announced for Katie Hopkins Edinburgh gig
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) Edinburgh have invited those who wish to join their peaceful protest 'against the airing of obnoxious views' to attend the BMC Social Club in the capital, where Hopkins is set to perform a comedy gig on June 19. Hopkins, a former columnist for the Mail Online, The Sun and Canadian far-right website The Rebel Media, has garnered continued criticism for her extremist views on the disabled, migrants and Muslims since her appearance on The Apprentice in 2005. READ MORE: Refugee festival exhibition showcases work by displaced artists Q Manivannan, the Scottish Greens candidate for the upcoming Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart byelection, said: 'Our country is built upon care, hospitality, and tolerance. Not the hate that Katie Hopkins brings, mocking disabled people, calling for a racist 'final solution', and fat-shaming. 'Her hate is recognised worldwide with her readers in Exeter voting to dump her, the likes of Piers Morgan calling her 'despicable', being held guilty of libel in a court of law, being deported from Australia, and impressing the world with her life of distrust. 'Scotland rejects such hate and racism. It has no room in our local communities." READ MORE: UK 'currently' training Israeli soldiers on UK soil, Labour Government admits Steve West, an independent socialist candidate for the byelection, added: "I share Stand Up To Racism's disgust that the BMC Club is hosting the racist, so-called comedian Katie Hopkins, who has also insulted disabled people. 'The club needs to be given a clear message that this is unacceptable. Edinburgh has a proud record of inclusivity and we need to keep it that way." SUTR recently held a successful counter-demo to the 'Great British National Strike' and have garnered the support of major trade union organisations, as well as several Scottish public figures like Frankie Boyle, Humza Yousaf and Aamer Anwar.
Glasgow Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Everything you need to know about the 'Stop Reform' Glasgow summit
Following the success of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in the recent English council elections, Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) is hosting a "Stop Reform 2026" summit ahead of next year's Scottish Government election. The day will build towards the launch of the official campaign, aiming to build a "mass movement" to challenge the nationwide rise of fascist and racist rhetoric before the election takes place. Where will it be held? The summit will take place from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, May 31, in The Boardwalk on Glasgow's Brunswick Street. It is a ticketed event and will feature a range of speakers and workshops throughout the day. Who is speaking at the summit? There are a number of speakers listed for the morning plenary, including: Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer Humza Yousaf, former First Minister Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary Samira Ali, SUTR nationwide organiser Matt Kerr, Scottish Labour councillor for Cardonald Why now? In a social media post announcing the summit, SUTR said: 'Nigel Farage claims to be a 'man of the people', but he is a tax-dodging millionaire who attended one of the most expensive private schools in Britain. Reform has pledged to cut taxes for the largest corporations, cuts for public services and it tries to point the finger away from the rich. 'In Scotland, polls project Reform could enter the Scottish parliament in the May 2026 election with up to 15 MSPs. 'We say this is not inevitable. Mass campaigning and anti-racist organising has helped turn the tide against the far-right before — and we can do it again.' The summit will feature a number of workshops such as detailing how culture can help 'turn the tide' against prejudice, trade unions against racism and justice for Sheku Bayoh — a Black Lives Matter in Scotland workshop. There will also be a break where attendees can visit picture galleries and stalls hosted by campaign groups involved in the summit. Final tickets for those wishing to attend are available here.
